The NIHR has reported a steady increase in its budget over the past 4-year period. However, the SCA notes further mandates will be allocated to the institution and the current budget may not be sufficient to fully execute these additional functions. The Institute has been mandated as the National Preventive Mechanism under OPCAT and was further identified as the public authority protecting fundamental rights under article 77 of the European Union AI Act. 

The SCA highlights that adequate funding should, to a reasonable degree, ensure the gradual and progressive improvement of the NIHR’s operations and the fulfilment of its mandate. In particular, where the NHRI has been designated with additional responsibilities by the State, additional financial resources should be provided to enable it to assume the responsibilities of discharging these functions. 

The SCA therefore recommends that NIHR advocate for additional resources to enable it to implement the breadth of the additional mandates assigned to it. 

The SCA refers to Paris Principles B.2, and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding’.