The CEO of Northern Ireland's only HIV charity has said that cuts announced by the Department of Health will have an impact on how they deliver services.
Jacquie Richardson was speaking after the Department announced that the Core Grant Funding Scheme would only provide financial assistance until September, leaving many organisations in financial limbo for the second half of the financial year.
The funding of between £5,000 and £200,000 is offered to community and voluntary organisations to assist with operational and training costs.
Read more: Head of Northern Ireland's only HIV charity challenges misconceptions surrounding the condition
Reacting to the decision to cut the scheme, Jacquie Richardson said: “The decision by the Department of Health to only provide Core Grant funding until the end of September is another kick in the teeth to those living with HIV in Northern Ireland.
"We are extremely disappointed that once again we have been left in financial limbo for the second half of this financial year. While we recognise that public services across the board are suffering from severe financial pressures, vital local services that support those most marginalised in our society must receive sustainable funding to enable forward planning and service development.
"Northern Ireland is the only devolved region that does not have a bespoke Sexual Health Strategy to promote a positive approach to sexuality and sexual relationships.
"If we want to meet ambitious targets, deliver much needed strategies and tackle HIV stigma, we need a Department that is willing to help fund our vital work.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "It is important to emphasise that the Department’s Core Grant Scheme is a small part of the total health service expenditure which goes to the Community and Voluntary Sector, as most money is for the direct provision of services.
"As part of the plans to make £360m in savings this year, the funding for the Core Grant Scheme is regrettably being reduced. Community and voluntary organisations will only receive core grant funding for the first half of this financial year."
These cuts come as the Department of Health announced that it is projecting a funding gap of some £732 million for this financial year.
In a letter sent to party health spokespersons, Department of Health Permanent Secretary Peter May said: “I wish to emphasise that, like all other Departments, we are in an impossible position of being asked to fulfil conflicting responsibilities.
"This involves trying to balance our responsibilities to live within the budget we have been given, act in the public interest and safeguard services.
"Decisions are required that we do not wish to take and that are not in the best interests of the health and social care system.”
The Department had already made public plans for savings and efficiencies across the system totaling £260 million, which will reduce the funding gap to around £470m.
While some impact from these measures is inevitable, measures up to this value may be achievable without long-term or irrevocable damage to services.
Given the scale of the budget shortfall, an additional £100m in savings is now planned.
In addition to cuts to the Core Grant Funding Scheme, the £100m in cuts includes £55m additional savings for Trusts and a £34.6m reduction in Waiting List Initiative funding.
The Department will still invest £61.4m in Waiting List Initiative funding this year to help protect provision for patients requiring red flag and other time critical assessments and treatments.
Other cost cutting measures announced by the Department include ceasing the COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Programme and ending Covid-related support funding for dental services.
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