The voluntary and community sector is an essential partner in healthcare delivery, providing crucial services across public health, social care reform, mental health support, disability services, and cancer care. Without adequate core funding, this vital infrastructure is at risk.
Celine McStravick, NICVA CEO, said:
"The scale of applications to this scheme - with nearly 260 organisations seeking support - clearly demonstrates that the voluntary and community sector is now an integral part of Northern Ireland's health and social care system. The current funding level of £1.8m is wholly inadequate to support this essential infrastructure.
The Department of Health cannot deliver its strategic objectives without a strong, sustainable voluntary and community sector. The current situation, where less than 6% of applicants received funding, reveals a serious misalignment between the Department's reliance on our sector and its investment in our capacity to deliver.
We are calling for an immediate review of the Core Grant scheme to ensure it reflects the sector's vital role in health service delivery. This review should examine both the purpose and scale of funding needed to support a sustainable voluntary sector that can effectively partner with statutory services. Following this review, we urge the Minister to commit to a properly resourced three-year funding program that recognises the sector's essential contribution to healthcare delivery in Northern Ireland."
The current grant scheme supports organisations contributing to key departmental strategic and policy initiatives. However, with the growing pressure on health services and increasing community needs, a more substantial and strategic approach to voluntary sector funding is urgently required.
NICVA calls for:
- An immediate increase in core funding to at least match previous levels
- A comprehensive review of the scheme's purpose and scope
- Development of a new three-year funding program that reflects the sector's essential role
- Clear criteria for grant allocation that recognises organisational impact and sustainability
- Long-term commitment to supporting voluntary sector infrastructure
