DEMOCRATIC Unionist MLA Arlene Foster has held an “urgent meeting” with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive after Fermanagh Women’s Aid had its funding cut by 6.5 per cent.
Despite a reported rise in domestic and sexual violence in the county the Department for Communities decided to cut the funding putting potentially lifesaving services at risk.
The news came just weeks after devoted mother of one, Concepta Leonard, was murdered in her own home at the hands of her former partner, Peadar Phair. She had been awaiting one to one services from Fermanagh Women’s Aid at the time of her death.
Mrs. Foster, a Fermanagh-south Tyrone representative, met with Clark Bailie, the chief executive of Northern Ireland Housing Executive, to discuss the issue last week.
Following the meeting in Belfast, Mrs. Foster told The Impartial Reporter: “Fermanagh Women’s Aid are a vital asset for women and families. The team of staff and volunteers do an extraordinary work supporting the lives of women who are suffering from domestic violence or sexual abuse.
“When I met with them recently it was unfortunate to hear of the challenges they were facing as a result of funding pressure. I requested an urgent meeting with the chief executive of Northern Ireland Housing Executive to try and establish a remedy for the shortfall.”
Mrs. Foster said that following the “very beneficial meeting” she hopes that “arrangements will be put in place to allow Women’s Aid to continue with their work.”
“The challenge facing Women’s Aid is just one example of the need for a proper functioning Executive,” she said.
Fermanagh Women’s Aid Manager Mary McCann previously told this newspaper that the overstretched local charity designed to protect women from violence and abuse has been forced to create an eight week waiting lists for services.
They have been told by funders to create a ‘hierarchy of risk’ in clients, and have had no option but to turn away women and children from their not fit for purpose refuge.
“Any woman who walks through our door has the potential to be murdered,” said Mrs. McCann.