To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail why the children’s palliative care strategy has been delayed; and when it will be published.

My Department’s ‘Children’s Palliative and End of Life Care in Northern Ireland Strategy’ was delayed due to the need to complete an implementation and investment plan. Publication of the strategy is being considered alongside other competing health and social care services requiring new investment in the years ahead. It would be inappropriate to raise expectations about the implementation of the strategy by publishing it while my Department’s overall budget position remains uncertain.