Written question asked by David Burnside (Ulster Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 19 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 9 December 2002. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 9 December 2002 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much has been paid in grants to welfare organisations representing (a) Republican paramilitary groups and (b) Loyalist paramilitary groups since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998. - Includes figures and ref to Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.

Answer: David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been paid in grants to welfare organisations representing (a) republican paramilitary groups and (b) loyalist paramilitary groups since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998. [82783] Jane Kennedy: A total of £5.864 million has been paid to ex-prisoner groups by the various Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office. This includes Peace and Gap funding. In addition the Northern Ireland Prison Service has made payments of £44.5k to organisation or individuals assisting with the resettlement of prisoners under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998. It is not possible to say which of these groups represent republican or loyalist organisations.

Secondary information