Samaritans in Northern Ireland respond to Department of Health Equality Impact Assessment

The recent announcement by the Secretary of State regarding the Northern Ireland finances has raised concerns about the impact on mental health and suicide prevention services. Although the Department of Health is receiving a similar allocation to last year, it represents a cut due to the high rate of inflation and outstanding pressures on the service.

Furthermore, the £300 million overspend that is now being paid back over time will also cause untold damage to services. Any in-year Barnett consequentials for Northern Ireland will not be given; instead, they will be used to pay back the £300 million deficit. This puts continuing pressure on services and will continue to impact people for a more extended period, which could impact mental health services further.

These measures have hit Northern Ireland particularly hard due to the lack of a functioning government. As a result, the budget outlined in the statement could have devastating effects on the most vulnerable people in society, including those who are struggling with mental health issues.

Mental health and suicide prevention services are already facing significant challenges due to a lack of resources and staff. The recent Mental Health Strategy highlighted that services in NI are underfunded by 27% compared to England, with 25% greater needs, and receive 20% less funding compared to Ireland - this budget will only accentuate the differences and make it more difficult for services to provide appropriate levels of support required. Without adequate funding, mental health services will face increased pressure, making it more challenging for people to access the care they require. You can read our submission on the Equality Impact Assessment by the Department of Health below.

We suggest that the EQIA fails to recognise the potential adverse impact on all Section 75 categories resulting from these cuts. Considering the significant number of organisations providing support to Section 75 groups that will be affected by the core grant cuts, it is imperative to revisit this issue promptly.

Furthermore, under Section 75, the Department of Health has an obligation to address any potential adverse impacts identified in an EQIA. This includes finding ways to mitigate the adverse impact on the enjoyment of equality of opportunity or introducing alternative policies that better promote equality of opportunity for members of the nine protected Section 75 groups. Therefore, it is essential for the Department to reconsider its approach and take proactive measures to mitigate any negative consequences identified in the EQIA.

It is crucial to address the deficiencies in the EQIA conducted by the Department. This involves revisiting the potential adverse impact on various categories resulting from the proposed core grant cuts and fulfilling the Department's obligation to mitigate any negative effects on the enjoyment of equality of opportunity.

The proposed core funding cut will have adverse effects on those who use our service, particularly in terms of their mental health. It is crucial to recognise the profound impact on mental health and suicide issues and the benefits of continuing to fund vital services provided by Samaritans and other charities through the grant scheme.