Money for Derry’s Crisis Service runs out in three weeks - Mayor requests urgent meeting

Funding for the service will expire at the end of June and the Mayor believes it is imperative that funding for the service is provided by the Department, who in turn have said they have no money to fund it.

Councillors attending a meeting of the Full Council recently passed a notice of motion tabled by Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy with an amendment by SDLP Colr. Martin Reilly showing support for the work carried out by the Crisis Intervention Service and calling for immediate funding intervention by the Department of Health for the continuation of the service. They also agreed that the Council would write to the NI Executive requesting that they intervene to provide funding to ensure the Protect Life 2 Strategy is further resourced.

Mayor Tierney said he is calling on the Minister for Health to urgently meet with him to discuss this issue and provide the monies needed to allow the service to continue.

“The Community Crisis Intervention Service has been essential in reducing the incidence of self-harm and suicide and ultimately resulting in wide ranging societal benefits for the local community. The service has provided support to individuals of all ages who needed comfort and support, with a strong emphasis placed on de-escalation and stabilisation, as well as family support and onward referral to statutory services where appropriate.

“The service provider has done an excellent job in delivering this essential community service and it is imperative that Government steps in and provides the funding necessary for it to continue. I am writing to the Minister asking for an urgent meeting to discuss this so that this service can continue beyond June.”

Mr Swann has said this week in the Assembly that he will speak with Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey about potential funding streams for the service.

In answer to concerns raised by SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan he said this was “something I’ve asked my officials to look at in regard to how we support the Mental Health Action Plan, and also Protect Life 2 funding as well to see what opportunities there are because I know that the additional provision that has come from the local council I think is being challenged as well because of the financial situation it finds itself in.

“In regards to the support for charities the member will be fully aware that the Minister for Communities has a support mechanism there and has funding to support charities at this minute in time. I’ll check with her to see where that support is and how that’s actually being relayed to those charities that actually need it at this minute in time.”

A Department of Health spokesperson last month told the Journal it could not fund the service.

The spokesperson said: “This pilot is led by Derry and Strabane District Council and decisions on its future reside with the Council.

“The Department participated in a recent multi-agency meeting to establish if future provision of the service is viable. The Protect Life 2 budget is already fully committed and there are a wide range of projects already requiring funding under the Strategy.

“The Department is facing a funding shortfall to maintain its existing services in addition to the need to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, no additional funding is available to support new initiatives at this time. The project is funded until June 2020. A workstream is being established under the Protect Life 2 Strategy to consider options around future provision of this type of service.”