Naomi Long

Ms Long referenced the “historic levels of under-funding” and the impact that lack of investment has had on the progress of reform and transformation. She said that the allocations in the proposed draft budget do nothing to reduce that historic funding gap and this will continue to impact on a range of areas such as policing, prisons, legal aid, courts and probation.

She said: “There is very limited further action that my department can take in terms of savings measures.  Our proportional budget strength has declined while demand on the justice system has risen starkly, meaning that we have continually had to make efficiencies each year. My department has now reached the point where all reasonable options have been exhausted.

“If the draft budget is implemented, without additional funding being provided to meet our inescapable pressures, this will result in a further and unacceptable slowing down of the justice system, compromising its ability to preserve life, protect the public and keep people safe”.