Transfusion for the women’s sector

For immediate use: 16 March 2005

Transfusion for the women’s sector

NICVA welcomes the decision by Minister John Spellar to give short-term funding of £1.1 million to women’s organisations. It is a response to pressure, including a public march last month, organised by the NICVA Women’s Policy Forum.

“This emergency help will allow the women’s sector to provide essential services that were threatened with the axe at the end of this month ,” said NICVA Chief Executive, Seamus Mc Aleavey.

“However this last minute transfusion should never have been necessary. NICVA has been warning since last November that the patient was facing death. Many others outside of the women’s sector face the same fate .

“We told the Secretary of State last year that the voluntary and community sector was facing big cuts. The government’s plan is to cut bureaucracy and waste in the public sector but it is services to the public, and especially to disadvantaged groups and individuals, that are suffering .”

Mr Mc Aleavey said the review group announced by the Minister needs to fit in with other initiatives so that we don't have unconnected decisions.

“We already have the report of the Taskforce on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector, which recommended long-term secure funding for voluntary and community groups of £25 million per year .

“Mr Spellar and his colleagues urgently need to take decisions about the Taskforce report so that we can end the need for emergency measures ,” he added.

For more information please contact Paul Mc Gill at NICVA, 028 9087 7777 or mobile: 0772 1746 805.

Anne O’Reilly, chair of the Women’s Policy Forum, is available for comment early this afternoon at the same telephone numbers.