Ulster Unionist MLA, Mike Nesbitt has renewed his call for the NI Executive to set up an Appeals Committee to help those individuals and groups who have fallen through the cracks of the various Covid-19 mitigation schemes.
The call comes as concerns grow that hundreds of millions of pounds may be handed back to the Treasury because Executive departments are unable to spend the money.
Mike Nesbitt MLA said:
“All these schemes are run on qualifying criteria and inevitably some people and groups are missing out through no fault of their own. It makes sense that there should be an Appeals body who should show flexibility and imagination in assessing applications.
“I would like to see a sub-group of the Executive established, involving the Departments of Finance, Economy and Communities. Given we might be about to lose £300million in COVID-19 mitigation funding, there is a pressing need to widen our reach to those who are suffering the financial impacts of this health crisis.”