A reported $400,000 grant to a local charity was included in the Bermuda Budget in error, the Senate heard on Wednesday.

Lindsay Simmons, the Junior Minister for Social Development, Seniors and Home Affairs, said that while the Budget said the Centre Against Abuse received a $400,000 grant for the 2022-23 financial year, the charity had actually received a total of $250,00 from the Government that year.

She explained that the $250,000 comprised a regular Government grant of $100,000 and a special grant of $150,000.

“The Centre Against Abuse did not receive its 2021-22 annual grant of $150,000 as the Centre Against Abuse did not have charity status,” Ms Simmons said.

“This special grant was provided to keep the Centre Against Abuse afloat, covering outstanding expenses such as taxes, social insurance, pensions, counsellor and hotline fees, accountant and bookkeeping fees and IT services.”

The Royal Gazette previously reported that the charity had encountered financial challenges in 2014, which forced it to close its shelter.

Despite fundraising efforts including the sale of its shelter, the CAA was removed from the register of charities at the end of 2018 for failing to file audited financial statements.

The organisation was given temporary charitable status in summer 2020 and received a $150,000 grant because of the “critical” need for its services in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CAA was subsequently able to restore its charitable status, which it still holds, and has continued its work to eliminate domestic and sexual abuse in Bermuda and support victims of abuse.