AQW 21508/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 06/07/2021
Answered On Date: 02/08/2021
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities when the special recognition payment for the Voluntary and Community Sector will be extended to beyond those working for organisations which receive funding under the Supporting People programme.

Answer:

I value the work of all staff in the Voluntary and Community Sector and recognise the contribution they have made over the last year. I also recognise that as restrictions are lifted, volunteers will continue to play a vital role in activities that will support our recovery. During 2021 /22 my Department provide £595,482 through the Volunteering Infrastructure Support Programme and also made available an additional £500,000 to support emergency related Volunteering during the COVID crisis.

Throughout the Covid 19 pandemic I have consistently made the case that Supporting People and Homelessness staff deliver services that are similar to those delivered through the Health and Care sectors, and have been significant in their own right in supporting our collective public health effort. Last year, I secured additional funds for the Supporting People and Homeless programmes to sustain services throughout the pandemic. I have also ensured that Supporting People and Homelessness staff were included in priority vaccination groups and secured regular asymptomatic testing for all SP scheme staff.

In recognition of these similarities, and in light of Minister Swann’s announcement in January regarding a Health and Social Care staff recognition payment it was possible to offer an ex gratia basis of up to £500 net.