AQW 36329/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 26/11/2025
Answered On Date: 02/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any discussions his Department has had with other Departments to ensure the Fair Funding Principles contained within the new Partnership Agreement between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in Northern Ireland will be adhered to.

Answer:

My Department supports engagement on the Partnership Agreement and Fair Funding Principles through the Joint Forum, which includes representatives from all Government Departments who are fully aware and engaged. While my Department facilitates the Forum, responsibility for applying the Fair Funding Principles rests with individual Departments.

The Joint Forum has a key role in ensuring the principles are communicated and understood. Cross-sectoral working groups set up through the Joint Forum are now progressing key priorities, including a communications plan as well as developing an evaluation framework and reporting mechanism.