Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson yesterday blasted Government’s funding to the Salvation Army as “a disgrace”.

Mrs. Jackson said Government was attempting to mislead people as to its support for the organisation, as the announcement of a $787,202 grant was actually hiding the fact that funding had been cut by half a million dollars.

She said: “For the Minister to say they have increased the money is just laughable.”

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler announced the $787,202 grant for 2007-8 in the House of Assembly on Friday.

He claimed Government had increased funding to the Salvation Army. “Contrary to a recent report, we have not decreased their total grant but increased it,” said Mr. Butler.

“Over the past three years, the Department of Financial Assistance has increased its annual grant to the Salvation Army, as the Government of Bermuda is mindful of the meaningful community services and outreach that the Salvation Army provides.”

He said the organisation had received $420,000 in 2005; $450,000 in 2006, and $500,000 in 2007.

The 2007/2008 grant will fund the ‘Dreaming in Colour’ project, Emergency Housing Complex, and the Harbour Light and Community Life Skills programmes.

‘Dreaming in Colour’ aims to help individuals re-integrate into society through group sessions aimed at building life skills. The Emergency Housing Complex - also known as ‘the Shelter’ - offers short-term housing, while the Harbour Light and Community Life Skills programmes provide residential treatment for those with alcohol or drug problems.

Mr. Butler told the House: “The Government of Bermuda is appreciative to the Salvation Army for its community support.”

However, Mrs. Jackson told MPs on Friday: “Since the Government came to power they have taken away half a million dollars from the Salvation Army in one fell swoop.”

She claimed the PLP had cut funding from $1,050,000 to $500,000 since 1998.

“If the Salvation Army had been getting what they had been given they would have been able to keep their homeless shelter. Now it’s in a terrible state and parts of it are either closed or falling down,” said Mrs. Jackson.

“It’s absolutely disgraceful how this Government has treated the Salvation Army. Over six years they have lost $3 million.”

Mr. Butler said he had visited the Shelter with Dennis Lister, Works and Engineering Minister, in order to “find out what repairs could be made”.

“This is a lengthy process,” he said. “We will continue to work with and not against the Salvation Army. We will continue in that direction.”

Yesterday however, Mrs. Jackson said the deterioration in funding was “a disgrace”.

“The PLP cut the Salvation Army budget by $75,000 in 1999-2000 and then by $555,000 in 2001-2. This has meant a lot of programmes have had to be cut and at the Shelter, the roof is leaking and they’ve had to close the kitchen. The cutting of their budget has been a terrible drain for them,” said Mrs. Jackson.

“By rights over the past six years the Salvation Army has lost $3 million. It’s a disgrace. The Salvation Army is doing the job the Government isn’t doing, which is taking care of the homeless and feeding the poor.

“Rather than subsidising them they are throwing them a bone again, a couple of thousand dollars and expecting everybody to jump up and down for joy.”

She added: “I’m hoping this Government will see fit to return the grant to the Salvation Army so they can continue their good work.”