MLA appeals to two Stormont ministers for Home Start cash

MLA appeals to two Stormont ministers for Home Start cash

2 April 2014

A FRESH appeal has been made to two Stormont ministers to provide much-needed funding for Down District Home Start.

South Down MLA Chris Hazzard hopes Health Minister Edwin Poots and Finance Minister Simon Hamilton can provide slippage funding before the end of the financial year to boost the charity’s work.

Mr. Hazzard has also joined with other politicians highlighting the need for Home Start to be provided with ring-fenced funding to allow it to continue its work across the district.

The charity — which is staffed by volunteers — is faced with a continual battle to secure guaranteed financial support after the loss of its main source of income in 2001 from the Children’s Fund forced Home Start to close its office in Newcastle.

Home Start officials are also concerned that given the current economic situation and sweeping changes to the benefits system, demand for its services is set to increase dramatically.

Mr. Hazzard, who met Home Start officials recently, said they outlined the funding crisis they are facing and the financial constraints they are having to deal with.

“Home Start carries out boundless work across this district and it’s very unfortunate that once again this vital and worthwhile service is faced with cuts to funding which, in effect, will lead to limitations on the service it can deliver,” continued the MLA.

“I have written to Mr. Poots and Mr. Hamilton to lend my support to the campaign to secure slippage funding from their respective departments to allow Home Start to continue with its work.”

Sinn Fein’s Downpatrick election candidate, Naomi Bailie, said demand for Home Start services has “spiralled” over the past four years, with the number of families the charity supports increasing by almost 200 per cent.

She continued: “Home Start has supported 565 children at a cost of £9 per child per week compared to an average weekly cost of £2,428 for a child placed in residential care. The weekly cost of placing a child in foster care is £676 per week. These figures speak for themselves and are testament to the efforts of Home Start staff and the service they offer.”