A number of NI charities have written to the Department of Health to demand an urgent meeting after they were denied core grant funding for the next financial year.
The organisations, which represent thousands of vulnerable people in NI, including children, carers and those with chronic diseases and disabilities, have said the lack of funding has left them facing a “cliff edge”.
It comes after the Department announced on Wednesday it had received 259 applications for the £1.8m funding pot, which it says has remained at the same level as last year.
Funding had previously been removed in 2023 when no Executive ministers were in place.
“We do not accept the Department of Health’s position” – Carers Coalition
The letter has been signed by sixteen charities who are members of the Coalition of Carers NI, which includes among others Carers NI, Age NI and the MS Society.
“We represent the most marginalised groups in society,” they said.
“These include carers of children with learning disabilities, carers of older people, carers of individuals with complex neurological conditions, cancer organisations and carers of those with acute mental health conditions.
“The omission of a wide range of carers’ organisations from the Core Grants fund will have a detrimental impact at a time when carers are already struggling to get the support they and their loved ones need.”
The group has accused the Department of a “lack of understanding” of the work the charities do to support vulnerable people in NI.
“The decision to only allocate £1.8 million to the Core Grant Scheme was always going to threaten the sustainability of our organisations and damage the wider community and voluntary sector,” the letter added.
“Reduced funding will mean that organisations will have to dramatically scale back support for vulnerable people. Some organisations are facing a cliff edge and may cease to exist.
“We do not accept the Department of Health’s position that, due to budgetary pressures, they are unable to allocate appropriate investment in the community and voluntary sector, which generates considerable value in terms of early intervention, prevention and reducing pressure on statutory health and social care services.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt
“The Core Grant Funding Scheme is a small investment of money that generates a huge return in helping to sustain the diversity and expertise of community and voluntary sector organisations in line with the Department’s strategic priorities.
“Without these groups, Government would be unable to properly support those in need and Northern Ireland’s vulnerable and marginalised communities will not be supported to have their voices heard.”
The group has demanded an urgent meeting with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, as well as a review of the core grant funding scheme.
Yesterday, Mr Nesbitt said his department’s 2025/26 budget allocation did not allow him to grant funding to all who applied.
“When I announced my plan to redesign the scheme in July 2024, I made it clear that my intention was to address the fundamental unfairness in the previous scheme, which has funded the same organisations for more than 20 years,” he said.
“Naturally, introducing competition meant that there would be winners and losers, but those who have missed out this time will have a further opportunity later this year to bid for funding in 2026/27.”
The Department has been approached for further comment.