SINN Féin’S Karen Mullan has said it is crucial that welfare advice services working on the frontline in Derry receive adequate funding to provide their services.
She was speaking following a meeting with independent advice services and Kevin Higgins from Advice NI.
The Foyle MLA said: “Over the past the number of weeks I have held meetings with the independent welfare advice service providers across the city to hear at first-hand, the work they do on a day-to-day basis and what plans are in place to deal ongoing changes within the welfare system.
“It’s quite apparent that workload being placed on these organisations is massive and they are stretched to the limits. Kevin Higgins from Advice NI heard the concerns from the services providers at first-hand at this weeks meeting.
“Amongst the concerns raised by groups was the introduction of the Tory Universal Credit policy and the impact it will have on people in our communities, this policy is riddled with faults, complications and delays including ridiculous waiting times for payments. It must be scrapped.
“Independent advice groups need adequate funding to be able to fulfil the vital role in providing help and assistance to members of the public. I offer my full support to their calls for this additional funding.”
“I also raised these and other concerns with DFC, Permanent Secretary, Leo O’Reilly when I met with him and his staff.
They have agreed to look at this and come back to us,” she added.