Charity criticises victims payout

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8427349.stm

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A victims charity has said the plan to give money to more than 5,000 victims of the Troubles over Christmas has been "poorly thought through".

Last week the first and deputy first ministers said £1.8m would be made available through the NI Memorial Fund.

The Campaign for all Injured (CAI) said that while the money would help some victims and survivors, there would be many who felt they had been forgotten.

It claims only 6% of those affected by the Troubles will be helped.

Last Thursday, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness announced that about 2,500 injured people and their carers would receive a payment of £500 towards a respite break.

A further 1,000 families would receive £250 while 1,700 elderly people £200 to help with fuel costs.

The Northern Ireland Memorial Fund is an independent, charitable fund that pledges to provide practical support for the victims of the Troubles and their families.

In a statement CAI said that under that scheme about 5,000 individuals and families would benefit.

'Shame'

However, they calculate that if you add up all those who lost their lives in the Troubles, their partners or children, along with an estimated 40,000 people who were injured and their carers, the number of people directly affected by the Troubles runs to about 78,500 people.

"Are the first and deputy first minister content that a measure that will benefit just over 6% of all victims can be seriously considered as a gesture of goodwill in the season of giving?

"How will these 5,000 people be selected out of the total population of 78,500?" the CAI asked.

"If this is the scale of their commitment, if this is the best they can do in this season of goodwill, never mind at any other time of year, then shame on them."

Speaking at the time of the announcement Mr Robinson said the money would help "ease the burden for many families at this particularly difficult and emotional time".

Mr McGuinness said the money would help vulnerable individuals and their families "in a practical way".