AQW 8228/22-27

Mr Mark Durkan
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 05/03/2024
Answered On Date: 14/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities (i) whether he will increase funding for the Supporting People Programme; and (ii) his plans to improve workforce retention and recruitment.

Answer:

On 6th March 2024 I announced an additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People Programme.

The Executive will agree and set the 2024-25 Budget and once the outcome is known I will consider how best to allocate the Department’s budget against key priorities.

The Housing Executive is not the direct employer for Supporting People staff and therefore, from a contractual perspective, has no role in workforce recruitment and retention.