IT will be easier for the owners of community halls to get compensation for their premises if they are attacked and damaged under new proposals unveiled by Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins.
The Minister has published, for consultation, draft legislation which broadens the existing Criminal Damage (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, by including an additional criterion for criminal damage to community halls.
Mr Goggins said: "
Community halls play an invaluable role in providing facilities that bring local people together.
"Whilst Northern Ireland already has in place a substantial Criminal Damage Compensation Scheme, we have listened carefully to concerns about the difficulties faced by those who run community halls and have decided to provide additional financial support when their property is attacked and damaged.
"The draft legislation will introduce an additional criterion under the statutory compensation scheme for those community halls which are the victims of these deplorable acts."
The draft proposals will cover community halls as recognised under elements of existing DFPNI Rates legislation.
Other properties which do not meet the new criterion will continue to be eligible for statutory compensation under the current arrangements.
The consultation will run from 25 June until 10 November 2008.
The full article contains 199 words and appears in Banbridge Leader newspaper.
