Swann told failure to fund Derry crisis centre would be a 'short-sighted scandal'

The matter was raised by the Foyle MLA in the Stormont Assembly this morning.

The Department of Health has already said it is able to ‘meet the £215k cost of this service in the coming year.’

Mr. Durkan said: "The minister and members have spoken of the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on people's mental health and it's fair enough to presume that there is going to be an ongoing increase in need for support and services.

"But the pandemic is also having a devastating impact on community mental health services, particularly community and voluntary organisations and charities who have yet to receive any financial assistance.

"With demand increasing and important preventative and early intervention projects being severely depleted I think it's fair enough also to presume that people are sadly and inevitably going to reach crisis point.

"With that in mind would the minister concur with me that it would be extremely short-sighted, in fact, it would be scandalous, should the Executive choose not to fund the Community Crisis Intervention Service in my constituency?"

Mr. Swann replied: "The member has written to me, he has texted me, he had been in regular contact about the service he is talking about and it is 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."