AQW 22812/22-27

Mr Danny Donnelly
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 18/02/2025
Answered On Date: 06/03/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on whether the Independent Living Fund will be reopened.

Answer:

My Department currently provides £7.2m recurrent funding to ILF.

Following recent meetings between my officials and the Senior Management Team, ILF Scotland, and the Northern Ireland ILF Advisory Group, my officials will shortly be providing me with advice regarding the potential to reopen the Independent Living Funding to new applications in Northern Ireland.

It remains the case however that due to the very significant and challenging financial position facing my Department, the issues of funding, affordability and sustainability remain key areas for my consideration going forward.