AQW 6494/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department will continue to fund the (i) Cancer Charities Support Fund; (ii) the Mental Health Support Fund; and (iii) Support for Carers Fund.
Asked by Nuala McAllister MLA on 14 February 2024
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 14 February 2024
- Answer due by
- 29 February 2024
- Answered
- 28 February 202414 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Mental Health, Cancer Charities and Carers Support Funds, administered and managed by the Community Foundation NI (CFNI), were established using Covid-19 funding. The funds were one-off, non-recurring for a period of three years, from April 2021 to March 2024. The monies allocated to all three funds are now exhausted.
Due to the financial situation which the Department continues to face, there is no budget to extend these funds and they will end, as planned.
However, CFNI will work with my officials in undertaking a robust evaluation of the funds that can support decisions around future funding provision, should additional funding become available. My Department will continue to explore ways to minimise the impact on services.