HL Deb 02 May 2002 vol 634 cc150-2WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the result and cost of the Northern Ireland Office Victims Liaison Unit Clio evaluation of victim's core funding; and what was their response to the evaluation. [HL3974]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

In July 2001 the Victims Liaison Unit commissioned Clio Evaluation Consortium (CEC) to carry out an independent evaluation of the Core Funding Scheme for Victims and Survivors Groups. The evaluation, which cost £65k, was recently completed and the CEC's report was published and distributed to groups on 27 April 2002.

The evaluation measures the impact and effectiveness of the Core Funding Programme for Victims and Survivors Groups, highlights innovative approaches adopted by the projects, identifies the longer-term organisational requirements of groups and describes the potential synergies between the core funding programme and the New Peace 11 Measures for Victims. The evaluation also makes recommendations regarding the targeting of future funding. The key recommendations from the report are listed below.

The Government are currently considering the report and will use CEC's findings to inform the work they are doing to set criteria for a new core funding scheme, for which Des Browne, Victims Minister, has announced funding of a further £3 million.

A seminar has been arranged at which CEC will present their findings and recommendations to victims' and survivors' groups. The seminar will provide groups with an opportunity to input their views on how the recommendations can best be taken forward.

The key recommendations from the Clio evaluation report are:

Recommendation 1: that funding for the development of victim-related work be continued and the funding base broadened.

Recommendation 2: that the core funding programme be continued as it is complementary to the Peace 11 measures for victims.

Recommendation 3: that a more strategic, long-term and reflective approach be taken to funding in this area of work.

Recommendation 4: that current core funding be more targeted and developed with the recognition that decisions taken now affect the long term; ideally long term funds are needed if needs are to be adequately met.

Recommendation 5: that new criteria be drawn up for the core funding programme which reflect strategic targeting and are aimed at meeting long term needs.

Recommendation 6: that the administration systems of the current and any future IFB be sound and efficient; experience should be gleaned and used from NIVT's administration of the programme.

Recommendation 7: that the IFB should provide improved and ongoing support to programme staff.

Recommendation 8: that the IFB should ensure that there is appropriate support, training and communication systems for groups.

Recommendation 9: that both the IFB and the groups should build in monitoring and evaluation practice.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the conditions set for the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust in the distribution of European Union Funding for victims and prisoners. [HL4017]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The European Union Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, also known as Peace 1, under which the NIO was responsible for match funding by 25 per cent. funding to ex-prisoners and victims, came to an end on 31 March 2002.

The conditions set for the Northern Ireland Voluntary Trust (NIVT) in the distribution of Peace 1 funding for victims and ex-prisoners are contained in separate detailed contracts signed by the European Commission and NIO with the body in question.

The conditions include:

general conditions in relation to how NIVT should use the funds;

financial conditions governing controls audits and access;

conditions around how funds should be distributed by the intermediary;

conditions around other sources of funding;

conditions about monitoring and evaluation;

conditions over publicity;

conditions forbidding the use of funds for party political purposes; and

the rules governing European Community policy and competition.

The contract also indicated the level of funding available and specified it was to be used for the purposes of:

  1. (a) helping those who are the victims of conflict come to terms with their losses and accelerate the healing process; and
  2. (b) diverting those at risk of offending away from crime, particularly in those areas which have been most affected by the conflict.