Ritchie welcomes £70million Social Fund pay-out

Nearly £70million was paid to thousands of people in real need by the Department for Social Development’s Social Fund over the previous year in Northern Ireland.

The figure, published in the Department for Social Development Social Fund Annual Report for 2008-2009, includes cold weather payments, winter fuel payments, maternity and funeral costs, non-repayable community care grants and interest-free budgeting and crisis loans.

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA said: “The Social Fund continues to play an important role in easing the financial burdens faced by many vulnerable people, during what has been a particularly difficult economic period.

“The Fund has provided assistance with costs which many people had difficulty meeting out of their regular incomes, and has assisted them with a variety of expenses, including funeral costs, the costs of a new baby or one-off payments for large items, such as furnishing a home.”

In announcing the publication of the Social Fund Commissioner's Annual Report for 2008-2009, the Minister welcomed the continuing commitment of the Office of the Social Fund Commissioner to meeting customers’ needs through an effective and efficient service.

Notes to editors:

1. The report is available on the DSD website at: http://www.dsdni.gov.uk/index/publications/annual_reports/publications-sf_annual_reports.htm.
2. Media enquires to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9468. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.