AQW 19855/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 03/06/2021
Answered On Date: 23/06/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the steps they have been taken to ensure any EU nationals that wish to remain in Northern Ireland apply for the EU settlement scheme.

Answer:

While Immigration including the EUSS are not devolved matters we acknowledge the valuable contribution EU Nationals living here make to our society, culture and economy. Officials continue to liaise with the Home Office on the impacts of EUSS and also keep in close contact with STEP and Advice NI, the local organisations funded by the Home Office to provide assistance and advice to those applying to the Scheme.

To encourage uptake, The Executive Office has supplemented the UK wide public information campaign with a local campaign and since March 2021 has expanded this to cover TV, out-of-home and press advertising to help target individuals such as the elderly who are harder to reach.

The advertising features EU citizens who have made their home here and the messaging encourages friends, family and colleagues to make sure EU citizens know how to apply to the scheme and where to find more information.