AQW 22645/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 14/02/2025
Answered On Date: 26/02/2025
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether the Letter of Expectation, sent by his Department to the Arts Council in week commencing 3 February 2025, means there will be a delay to funding for the Arts Sector from 1 April 2025.

Answer:

The alignment of Arts Council activity with my priorities may have implications for some of its plans and programmes.

More generally, the timing of budget allocations to departments, and the need for a 12 week public consultation on an Equality Impact Assessment, mean that final allocation letters to Arm’s Length Bodies are unlikely to be issued until after 1 April 2025.

My officials will work with the Arts Council to minimise any delays and disruption.