11/10/2016

Minister Slammed For Failing To Provide Figures On Number Of Foodbanks

The SDLP has hit out at the Minister for Communities after he failed to provide figures on the number of foodbanks in Northern Ireland or the number of people using them.

SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said Minister Paul Givan "boasted" about everything he is doing to support food banks, however he was unable to confirm how many of them exist in NI.

Mr Durkan said: "It must be asked how can he implement an effective strategy when his own department doesn’t even keep track of how many foodbanks exist here and how many people are using them.

"The fact that the Minister is clueless on this issue is totally unacceptable but sadly typical of his detachment to the issues facing people on the ground."

(CD)

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