SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
It follows the announcement from Mencap that the loss of EU funding may result in more than fifty people being made redundant.
The local Foyle MLA has repeatedly raised concerns about the loss of EU funding, including highlighting that more than one hundred jobs are supported by ESF within delivery organisations located in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
From April 2022- March 2023, projects with their base in the Assembly constituency of Foyle were in receipt of almost £2.5m of ESF funding (£2,435,936.56).
Said Ms McLaughlin: “For months now, we have been warning of the impending crisis faced by organisations like Mencap and others who provide core services in our community and we are now seeing these concerns play out as redundancies are announced.
“The effects of this loss of funding will be acutely felt by the most vulnerable in our society as vital programmes are put at risk, including some that support people with addiction and mental health challenges as well as skills development.
“I got started in politics helping to lead the Remain campaign in the North and I remember very well during that campaign the promise that we would not lose out on funding as a result of any decision to leave the European Union.
“Now, as the consequences of Brexit come home to roost, we see just how disingenuous that promise was from the British government, as they leave organisations like Mencap and others to fend for themselves after European funding runs out at the end of March.
“The current replacement funding scheme does not guarantee any funding whatsoever to Derry and neglects almost entirely to address sub-regional economic imbalance, resulting in huge anxiety for services in the city.
“I have repeatedly raised this cliff edge for organisations here with the relevant Departments.
“Now, I believe it is time for the Department for the Economy to step in and assume a role here, working at pace to assess the impending lack of funding and make the appropriate urgent representations to the British Government.”
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