Minister Hargey confirms additional funding for councils

Date published: 02 April 2021

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has today confirmed she has allocated a further £4m to councils.

First stages of gambling reform a step closer – Hargey
First stages of gambling reform a step closer – Hargey

Today’s announcement brings the amount of Rates Support Grant to councils for 2020/21 to a total of £22.3m.

Minister Hargey said:

“This further £4m payment in Rates Support Grant for 2020/21 will be of great assistance to councils as they continue to work to support their local communities.

“In addition, I have also demonstrated my support to councils throughout the pandemic having provided additional COVID-19 funding of £85.3m throughout 2020/21.

“Local government have played such an instrumental role throughout the pandemic and I thank them for their hard work.

“The ‘Councils Make it Happen’ campaign by NILGA clearly demonstrates the very active and important role of local government which has been vitally important in the past year and will continue to be as we recover from the social and economic impacts of the pandemic.”

A Rates Support Grant provides financial support to eligible councils whose needs exceed their wealth as determined by statutory formula.  Seven of the 11 councils are eligible. 

Notes to editors: 

  1. A Rates Support Grant is a statutory payment but the amount paid is discretionary.  This grant therefore must be considered in the context of the Department for Communities overall budget priorities.
  2. The further allocation of Rates Support Grant to eligible councils is as follows:-
  • Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon – £620,575
  • Causeway Coast and Glens - £546,104
  • Derry and Strabane - £753,552
  • Fermanagh and Omagh - £225,321
  • Mid and East Antrim – £630,177
  • Mid Ulster - £850,433
  • Newry, Mourne and Down - £373,838
  1. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on email. 
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