Northlands centre loses £52k in funding

A LONDONDERRY centre for the treatment of recovering alcoholics and drug addicts has had a £52k funding stream that supported eight people cut after the facilty was registered as a residential care unit last year, the Sentinel can reveal.

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland says the Housing Executive can no longer fund the Northlands Addiction Treatment centre because registered care units are not eligible for its ‘Supporting People’ funding.

Foyle MLA Mark H. Durkan pressed the Minister on the withdrawal of funding by way of an Assembly Question.

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Mr Durkan asked the Minister for Social Development why ‘Supporting People’ had withdrawn its funding for the Northlands Centre, given the role it plays in supporting people through their recovery from addiction problems.

Mr McCausland stated: “The Housing Executive Supporting People Programme had an annual funding agreement of £52,192 for eight places at the Northlands support living scheme.

“Following an inspection by the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority we were advised on May 9, 2012 that the service had been registered as a residential care unit.

“In line with the Housing Support Regulations NI (2003) it was necessary to cease funding to Northlands with effect from the date of registration, March 11, 2012 as registered schemes are not eligible for Supporting People funding.”

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