Robin Swann MLA, Ulster Unionist Chair of the Stormont Employment and Learning Committee, has welcomed the decision of the DEL Minister, Stephen Farry, to introduce interim measures to alleviate cash flow problems for community and voluntary organisations. Groups depending on funding streams from the European Social Fund programme had been experiencing unforeseen bureaucratic delays in receiving payments.
Robin Swann MLA said:
“Two weeks ago, I contacted the Minister of behalf of a number of organisations who had been successful in the new European Social Fund programme, but who had been coming under extreme cash flow pressures. They had been put into financial difficulties due to the Department of Employment and Learning’s lack of speed in vouching for and paying claims.
“I am pleased to say that I have been given a written assurance from the Minister that he is putting into place measures to address the difficulties by paying 50% of the ESF/DEL contributions in unpaid claims now and for the next two months. In addition, the Department is temporarily drafting additional Departmental staff into the ESF Managing Authority to help with the vouching of all claims.
“I welcome the Minister’s response to my request to take action. The decision will come as a relief to many people, right across the community and voluntary sectors in Northern Ireland.”