18/04/2002

Dodds announces extra help for “most needy" in society

The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has announced a further £1.73 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social fund.

The increase brings the Social Fund, which helps the most needy people in society up to a total to £51 million for the next year.

The funding scheme aims to help people on low incomes with expenses that are difficult to meet from their regular income. The scheme consists of two elements - the Discretionary Fund and the Regulated Fund. The Discretionary Fund covers Budgeting Loans, Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants.

The Regulated Fund covers Funeral Payments, Sure Start Maternity Grants, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payments.

“The total includes a figure of £40.14 million for Social Fund loans, which represents an increase of £1.13 million over last years budget. Money available for grants has also increased. This year an extra £0.5million has been made available.

“Access to the Social Fund is essential to some of the most needy and vulnerable people in Northern Ireland and I am sure that this increase will make a big difference to their lives,” Mr Dodds said.

(AMcE)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 April 2004
NI social fund gets £1.65m boost
A further £1.65 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social Fund will provide extra support for some of the most needy people in society, Minister for Social Development, John Spellar said today.
06 April 2005
NI Social Fund gets £1.3m boost
The Department for Social Development today announced a £1.34 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social Fund, which will provide extra support for some of the most needy people in society. Announcing the discretionary Social Fund budget for 2005/2006, the Department said that a total of £59.
09 April 2003
Northern Ireland needy get £5.6m boost
Social Development Minister, Des Browne has announced a further £5.6 million cash injection for the Northern Ireland Social Fund. Mr Browne said the cash would provide extra support for some of the most needy people in society. Announcing the discretionary budget for 2003/2004, he said: "I am pleased to say that there will be an increase of £5.
18 December 2003
Record numbers benefit from social fund
A record number of people have benefited from more than £59 million paid out by the Social Fund over the last year, Social Development Minister, John Spellar has said.
28 March 2023
EU Social Fund Organisations 'Facing A Cliff-Edge' – SF
Time is running out for groups funded by the European Social Fund who face a cliff-edge at the end of this week, Sinn Féin MLA Caoimhe Archibald has said.