AQW 14007/22-27

Mr Patsy McGlone
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Mid Ulster

Tabled Date: 01/07/2024
Answered On Date: 10/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail his plans to adopt the recommendations of the expert panel on Discretionary Support to improve the reach and fairness of the current system.

Answer:

I recognise the importance of the Discretionary Support Scheme in assisting vulnerable people in a crisis situation. That is why I have increased the budget for Discretionary Support grants to £22 million for the 2024/25 financial year.

The recommendations for changes to Discretionary Support, made by the expert panel, are currently being considered. These recommendations will need to be assessed in the climate of financial constraint and the requirement to ensure that budgets remain sustainable over the coming years.