SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has criticised the Minister for Communities for his lack of knowledge around the rising number of foodbanks.
Despite claiming to support the work of foodbanks in the Assembly Chamber today, Mr Durkan said Paul Givan was unable to provide him with any figures on the number of foodbanks in the North or the number of people using them, although he had tabled a written question to him last week.
Hundreds are reported to be using foodbanks in Derry.
Hitting out at the Minister, Mr Durkan said: “The Government and the Minister talks about prioritising, supporting and empowering the most vulnerable citizens in our society.
“I would put it to them that some of our most vulnerable are forced to rely on food banks for their survival.
“Not only is the rising number of foodbanks an indictment on this Executive and their record on tackling poverty, increasing dependency on food banks is the hallmark of failing economic and social policy.
“Today the Minister boasted about everything he’s doing to support these foodbanks.
“It must be asked how can he implement an effective strategy when his own department doesn’t even keep track of how many foodbanks exist here and how many people are using them.”
Mr Durkan concluded: “The fact that the Minister is clueless on this issue is totally unacceptable but sadly typical of his detachment to the issues facing people on the ground.”
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