Debate contribution: Racist Violence: Assistance for Victims
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 15 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Racist Violence: Assistance for Victims
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5614193
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Again, I place on record my thanks to all the staff in the Housing Executive and, indeed, in the community and voluntary sector who have done so much over the past number of days to help those in need. What happened was absolutely horrendous. I have spoken to people who have been affected, including those who have had their businesses damaged and those from ethnic minority communities who are terrified at what has taken place. I want to be very clear, as I have been already, that the events were wrong and should never have happened. Of course, some people will be entitled to support, and they will get it through the work of the Housing Executive and the support systems that are in place. However, we know that there are also those who do not have recourse to public funds. Where people are in emergency situations, advice can be provided. We have provided support to the voluntary and community sector, as I know that that sector will provide assistance. Last week, I activated the scheme on emergency financial assistance, which provides support to councils as they respond to recent events to mitigate the impact of the emergency. That scheme is effective from 9 June and will remain in operation until the situation resolves. That will include reimbursement to voluntary and community sector organisations that councils have engaged in response to the emergency. My officials have been in regular contact with Mears and the Home Office. There is strong and effective engagement between Mears and the PSNI and, indeed, Mears and a range of statutory partners. That has been to the benefit of all their collective responsibilities and roles.
279 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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