£5m funds for victims of Troubles

Jeffrey Donaldson welcomed the funding

The government has spent £5m in the last financial year to help victims' and survivors' groups in Northern Ireland, new figures reveal.

The sum is ten times higher than it was five years ago. A total of £500,000 was given out in the year 2002/03.

The figures for 2006/07 were released in response to a question from DUP assembly member Jeffrey Donaldson.

In June, Peter Hain set up an independent group to find the best way to deal with the Troubles legacy.

It is co-chaired by Denis Bradley, former vice chairman of the Policing Board, and former Archbishop of Armagh, Lord Eames.

Mr Donaldson said: "I think it is only right that we should set aside a significant amount of money for the victims sector.

"There are many people in Northern Ireland who have suffered grievously as a result of the Troubles.

"They still bear the pain and the scars of the Troubles, whether it is through the loss of a loved one or, indeed, injuries that they themselves have sustained."