AQW 14136/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 05/02/2021
Answered On Date: 19/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 13696/17-22, what work has been undertaken in regards to developing new replacement programmes.

Answer:

As per my response to AQW 11783/17-22, a joint project with the Department for Communities (DfC) has been established to consider the policy and delivery options once the current projects conclude. In addition to DfC’s key involvement, the Department of Health and Department of Justice are included and we are engaging with other Departments, including Education, and Finance.

The Project Board has made progress in a number of areas with a landscape review commissioned through the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) and a Strategic Insight Lab scheduled for later this month, which will involve input from a wide range of stakeholders drawn from a range of sectors and interests.

My previous response referred to the successful bid in January monitoring to secure additional funding. The additional funding will enable us to extend the current ESF provision, providing additional time to consider policy and funding options. The additional time will be very welcome but we are in no doubt that this is still a complex and challenging project to deliver. The mechanism for extending ESF activity is currently being explored and I hope to make a formal announcement soon.