Lyttle: OFMDFM must indicate when victims scheme will be reopened

Alliance OFMDFM spokesperson, Chris Lyttle MLA, has said that the First and deputy First Ministers must do more to support the Victims and Survivors Service. He was speaking after an answer to an Assembly Question to their Department could only state that a financial assistance scheme for victims and survivors will re-open sometime in the next financial year. The Individual Needs Programme, Scheme 6-Financial Assistance, helped those living with injuries and bereaved partners, bereaved parents or children who have lost a parent as a result of a conflict related incident, closed on 30^th June 2013.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: “The Victims and Survivors Service carries out some fantastic work. We have a moral obligation to help victims and I would like to express my gratitude for what they are doing.

“However, I am disappointed that the First and deputy First Ministers have not sought to urgently restart this financial support scheme. It was closed last June, so I am deeply concerned that they can only tell me that it will be reopened some time in 2014/15 – that is not good enough.

“OFMDFM should be doing more to provide information about when this scheme will reopen and what will be happening in the meantime.

“I continue to be amazed by the courageous and dignified lobbying by many victims and survivors, so I would urge OFMDFM to ensure that they are given the support that they are entitled to.”

ENDS