Victim definition row delaying crucial funds'
A DIRECTOR of a charitable fund set up to help victims of terrorist violence has said they are facing "another cliffhanger" as they wait for the release of a £3 million funding package.
Lady Daphne Trimble is one of 12 directors of the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund. She said the money is being held up by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) while a "debate on the definition of a victim" takes place.
Lady Trimble, wife of former first minister Lord Trimble, said the situation won't be resolved until both the DUP and Sinn Fein ministers "have a change of heart" and come to an agreement.
"We have been here before with the funds not being made available but eventually it gets sorted out and we've been able to function in the end," she said.
"At the minute this seems like another cliffhanger. It hasn't reached the point where we can't function as yet but it's always worrying when this happens."
According to the charity's information literature, the NI Memorial Fund is an "independent charitable fund that seeks to promote peace and reconciliation by ensuring that those individuals and families that have suffered as a result of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland are remembered, by providing them with help and support in a practical and meaningful way".
TUV leader Jim Allister said the body does "invaluable work with victims of terrorism" and that he is "appalled" it has only received one quarter of its annual funding allocation.
"There are indications that this is because of the perpetual deadlock in OFMDFM, with Sinn Fein refusing to sign off on the funding."
Mr Allister added: "This latest episode of Sinn Fein's bigoted belligerence underscores the need to remove victims' funding from OFMDFM and transfer it to DFP (Department of Finance and Personnel) – something I have long advocated."
A spokeswoman for OFMDFM said: "Since devolution OFMDFM has provided almost 30 million in funding for victims and survivors.
"OFMDFM has received a proposal from the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund for an additional funding scheme which is currently under consideration."
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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