MP Accuses Stormont of Avoiding Addiction Centre Funding Commitment
An MP has accused Stormont's Department of Health (DoH) of attempting to "wriggle out" of providing funding for a new addiction treatment centre in Londonderry.
The SDLP MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood, stated that funding for a new centre in Derry was included in the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement, which restored Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive in 2020.
Six years later, plans for Northlands to relocate to a new site on the Culmore Road as an addiction centre of excellence have not yet materialised.
The DoH previously indicated that NDNA only referenced potential funding for the project without a specific commitment and that they continue to engage with the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).
BBC Radio Foyle has sought a specific response from the DoH regarding Eastwood's remarks.
The Executive Office (TEO) and the NIO have also been contacted for comment.
Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme, Eastwood said he helped negotiate a £1 million funding commitment in 2020 for the redevelopment of Northlands.
He noted that £1 million would not complete the project, which is estimated to cost approximately £20 million, but would have served as a starting point.
Addiction Support at Northlands
Northlands, established as a grassroots organisation in 1975, has grown into one of Northern Ireland's leading addiction treatment facilities.
It provides support to individuals with addictions to alcohol, drugs, and gambling, with around 800 people receiving non-residential care there in 2025.
"We know the impact that alcoholism and drug addiction has had in Derry and the surrounding areas, and they need as much support as possible,"Eastwood said.
"Northlands has been there for the people of Derry, but they've had to largely do it on their own… It needs to be properly supported by our Executive."
Eastwood stated that the money was secured from the British government to be implemented by Stormont but claimed the DoH had "tried to wriggle out of that commitment."
"Frankly, it's infuriating. It was £1 million - that wasn't going to do the job, but it was the British government saying, 'Look, we believe in this project.'"
He added that several ministers had confirmed in the House of Commons that the funding was intended for Northlands.
"It is utterly ridiculous that they haven't got it done,"he said.
"Why should we be denied a state-of-the-art centre to look after our most vulnerable people?"
Eastwood described the department's position suggesting that the funding was not specifically for Northlands as "utter nonsense" and urged Stormont to "get on with the job" of closing the funding gap and delivering the centre.
DoH Invests £35 Million Annually in Substance Services
The Department of Health previously stated it invests more than £35 million annually in substance use services.
"The overriding objective will be to provide the best substance use services possible within the available resources,"the department said in a statement.
Denis Bradley, one of Northlands' founders, described a new centre as a "beacon of hope."
"The department will quote you all kinds of figures but the truth of the matter is, very little money goes into addiction and quite often where it goes in is the wrong places it goes into,"he said.
"The department needs to get a little bit more clever, a bit more sophisticated and stop being so ... defensive around an issue that they actually could make great advances in."
Official Parliamentary Record
The government's specific commitment to funding Northlands was confirmed by then Northern Ireland Office minister Steve Baker during a Westminster debate in November 2022, according to Hansard, the official record of parliamentary proceedings.
"The government welcome this opportunity to make it clear that we are committed to supporting the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre and providing it with £1 million from unique circumstances funding under the New Decade, New Approach agreement,"he told Parliament.
"It seems to me a very sensible approach to use Northlands to deliver what is required."
"I stress that the government stand ready to provide the funding once we have received and approved the Northern Ireland Executive Department of Health's proposals for the Derry/Londonderry addiction centre,"Baker told MPs.
"As I said earlier, Northlands seems a particularly sensible way to proceed. The Northern Ireland Office continues to engage with counterparts in the Executive to make that happen."
