§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the sources of funding for ex-prisoners and for victims' groups in Northern Ireland; and what are the amounts of money supplied to them. [HL4244]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonThe NIO is responsible for match funding applications by ex-prisoners and victims' groups under Measures 4.4 and 4.6 of the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Peace Programme). These measures aim to promote the social inclusion of those who are at the margin of social and economic life.
In the five years in which the programme has been running, victims and ex-prisoners have received the following amounts under both Measures:
- Ex-prisoners: £3.9 million
- Victims: £2.4 million
The major source of funding for victims' groups is the Victims Liaison Unit in the Northern Ireland Office, which has, since it was established in June 1998, provided funding through a series of initiatives to support groups that are working with victims of the Troubles. To date, the unit has made available to groups:
- £3 million through a core funding scheme administered by the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust;
- £255,000.00 through a "Victim Support Grant Scheme" administered by the Community Relations Council;
- £46,000.00 for a series of pilot schemes.
Victims may also, either on an individual basis or with the help of a victims' group, avail themselves of the funds and services provided by the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund. The fund, which is an independent charity set up by the Government, has, to date, received £2 million from the Government, in addition to funds it has raised by its own efforts.
Ex-prisoners and victims have access to measures within the Peace Programme other than those match funded by NIO, and can access funding from other sources such as private trusts, the National Lottery Charities Board or other locally funded schemes. They may also obtain funding from departments within the devolved administration.
Moreover, the NIO and Probation Board provide funding to the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders and Extern. There are voluntary organisations that provide a range of service to ex-prisoners.