AQW 11016/22-27

Mr Justin McNulty
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Newry and Armagh

Tabled Date: 29/04/2024
Answered On Date: 13/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for his assessment of the £45 million allocated to his Department for welfare reform mitigations in the Budget 2024-25; and (ii) what welfare reform mitigations his Department will implement through utilisation of that funding allocation.

Answer:

The funding allocated in relation to welfare mitigations for the 2024-25 financial year will allow my Department to continue to deliver the existing mitigation schemes, including providing support in full for those people impacted by the Benefit Cap and Social Sector Size Criteria.

This allocation will provide funding for the Universal Credit Contingency Fund, the Social Supermarket Scheme and support for the Independent Advice Sector. Associated administration and IT costs for the existing mitigation schemes will also be met through this funding allocation.

Finally, there is funding made available to progress with my Department’s statutory obligation to assess and report on the operation of the welfare mitigation schemes.