AQW 6917/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/02/2024
Answered On Date: 12/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the distribution of the 2023-28 Environment Fund.

Answer:

The 2023/24 budget distribution for the 2023–2028 Environment Fund (EF) is over £7 million. This has primarily been distributed through the multi-year Strategic Strand of the EF with £260k also being distributed through a Water Quality Improvement Challenge Competition. Annex A sets out the details of Letters of Offer issued to date and provisional offers under the Strategic Strand of the EF for 2023/24.

Distribution of EF funds to Strategic Strand projects in future years will be subject to budget availability. Further funding opportunities may become available during the lifetime of the Environment Fund, including through additional Environmental Challenge Competitions, again subject to budget availability.