TUV calls on Justice Minister to extend Scholarship Scheme to children of murdered police personnel
19 January 2011
Statement by TUV Leader Jim Allister:-
“The Coalition Government in Westminster has introduced a UK-wide further and higher education scheme for the bereaved children of armed forces personnel killed in action since January 1990. Under the scheme, which local DEL Minister, Danny Kennedy, has confirmed will extend to the children of murdered UDR and RIR personnel, the University Scholarship will be worth over £7,000 in the upcoming academic year and the Further Education scholarship, which will be paid for 3 years to 16-19 year olds, is set at £1500.
“This is a deserving and worthwhile scheme, which I greatly welcome. However, at present, it does not apply to the children of murdered police personnel. I, therefore, wrote before Christmas to Danny Kennedy seeking its extension to RUC, RUCR and PSNI personnel. It turns out that any decision to extend the scheme in Northern Ireland would lie with the Justice Minister. I am pleased however that Danny Kennedy in his capacity as DEL Minister, has written to David Ford urging this course upon him.
“I trust that David Ford will indeed take this matter forward and will ensure that the children of murdered police personnel will have parity with the children of the military killed in similar circumstances. It would be a fitting appreciation of the sacrifice of policemen and women over the last 20 years. I, therefore, call on the Justice Minister to act now on this deserving issue.”
