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21 Mar 2026

Council motion on cuts to Community / Volumtary sector funding

Cuts to Community and Voluntary Sector will have devastating impact on support for vulnerable people' - Cllr Shaun Harkin

Council

Reporter:

staff reporter

21 Mar 2026 10:33 AM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) has said funding cuts to the Community and Voluntary sector will have a "devastating impact on support for vulnerable people".
 
He added: "If these cuts go through, support for 11,000 people could be lost; 400 workers could face unemployment; and vital services will be at risk of collapse. Stormont must intervene.
 
"Vital services supporting vulnerable people to overcome barriers to work provided by Community and Voluntary sector organisations cannot be allowed to collapse. 
 
"The pulling of this support will have a disproportionate impact on Derry and the North West due to systemic barriers to paid work and will have a devastating impact on communities across the North.
 
"It is vital for our Council to take a stand and demand urgent government intervention."
 
 
 
People Before Profit has submitted a motion on the issue to Derry City and Strabane District Council's March 25 Full Meeting.
 
It states: "Council stands in solidarity with Community and Voluntary Sector organisations providing essential support to vulnerable members of society facing barriers to work.
 
"Council shares their alarm at the potentially devastating impact of a £15.8 million funding cut that will result in the loss of vital services and jobs in Derry and Strabane District and across the North.
 
"Council notes the British Secretary of State has cruelly refused demands to reprofile funding from the Local Growth Fund to avoid cuts in the coming year.
 
"Council backs the campaign to stop the cuts and fully supports the call from impacted Community and Voluntary sector organisations for the Stormont Executive to urgently intervene to stop the cuts, stop the loss of services and jobs, and to protect the vulnerable. 
 
"Council will write to the Stormont Finance Minister calling on him to urgently make available the necessary funding to avoid a cliff-edge loss of jobs and services. 
 
"Council will write to the Communities Minister to clarify the impact of these cuts on the Work and Disability Strategy and on the Disability Strategy."

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