Allister welcomes funding for Ulster-Scots support workers
01 June 2009
Traditional Unionist Voice MEP Jim Allister has firmly welcomed a new Ulster-Scots Agency funding initiative, which will see a number of new administrative support posts being created within Ulster-Scots groups. The Agency’s Board recently earmarked £120,000 per annum, for the next 3 years, to fund administrative support workers to be located at up to 6 Ulster-Scots groups throughout Northern Ireland.
The MEP said,
“I have been lobbying on behalf of Ulster-Scots groups, to ensure the current gap in funding for full-time workers to progress the Ulster-Scots agenda is filled. I commend the Ulster-Scots Agency on this new initiative, which goes some way to recognising the importance of Ulster-Scots groups being properly resourced at grass-roots level, something which is long overdue”.
“I understand the Ulster-Scots Agency will be writing to Ulster-Scots groups on its mailing list in the coming days, inviting expressions of interest for the scheme to be made by September. Successful groups are expected to make staff appointments towards the end of the year.”
“The Schomberg Society, based in Kilkeel is just one example of the many Ulster-Scots groups which have relied heavily on the selfless efforts of volunteers for the raft of cultural activities and events being delivered. The Protestant/Unionist community fully deserves the kind of community resources and infrastructure which have been absent for far too long, and therefore, I give my support to this new Ulster-Scots initiative.”
ENDS
