AQW 55545/11-16


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 15/03/2016
Answered On Date: 24/03/2016
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for Social Development to detail (i) how much funding his Department has provided to Women’s Aid centres in each of the last five years; (ii) how much funding he has committed to Women’s Aid for 2016-17; and (iii) any discussions he has had with Women’s Aid regarding future funding.


Answer:
(i) The table below lists the Supporting People funding provided to Women’s Aid providers (for accommodation and floating support services) for the past five years.
2015-16 (£m)
2014-15 (£m)
2013-14 (£m)
2012-13 (£m)
2011-12 (£m)
Accommodation-based
2.75
2.70
2.60
2.77
2.72
Floating Support
1.94
1.91
1.75
1.38
1.18
Total
4.69
4.61
4.35
4.15
3.90
The Information provided in this response is governed by the Principles and Protocols of the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. This is enforced by UK Statistics Authority.
(ii) The Supporting People funding position for 2016/17 has recently been agreed. During a time when public finances are under strain and despite having to find significant savings across my Department, Supporting People funding has been protected at 2015/16 levels.
(iii) I have not had any direct discussions with Women’s Aid on funding for 2016/17 or future years. Officials from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive will confirm the individual funding positions for 2016/17 with all providers, including Women’s Aid, in due course.