NIACRO Statement on Loss of Funding
On Thursday, NIACRO received correspondence from the Department for Employment and Learning stating that the organisation had been unsuccessful in its bid for European Social Fund (ESF) money.
In response, Olwen Lyner, Chief Executive of NIACRO, made the following statement:
"The loss of this funding will have a devastating impact on NIACRO and to resettlement efforts in Northern Ireland.
"For the past 28 years, we have used ESF money to deliver a range of high quality programmes to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. The removal of this funding stream will mean we can no longer deliver our employment-led resettlement work for both young people and adults who offend. A recent evaluation of this work found that 92% of our service users were back in employment and therefore significantly less likely to reoffend. The evaluation also found that for every £1 invested in the programme, £13.60 was generated in social value.
"In addition, our programmes which work to prevent poverty and homelessness will be significantly reduced.
"The ESF award was integral to NIACRO’s income. As a result of this decision, we are forced to make at least 35 staff members redundant by 31 March 2015 – more than a third of our team.
"Much has already been said about the application and shortlisting process for this competition. Our concern now is the impact that this decision will have on our staff, the community, and the level of crime and reoffending across Northern Ireland.
"NIACRO’s mission is to reduce crime and its impact on people and communities. We are determined to continue our work in the face of adversity, and appreciate the support we have received from members, volunteers, staff, service users and other friends of the organisation.”
Notes:
- To arrange an interview with Olwen Lyner, please contact Julia Kenny on 028 9032 0157 ext. 3250 or email julia@niacro.co.uk.