To ask the Minister of Justice to detail the equality screening process applied to the tender for the proposed domestic and sexual violence advocacy service.

My Department carried out an equality screening exercise on the advocacy service policy which underpins and is reflected in the tender documentation.

This screening exercise has concluded that an Equality Impact Assessment is not necessary on the basis of positive impacts that will apply as a consequence of the service’s introduction. The proposed new service is intended to strengthen and increase the existing help and support that is available to victims, regardless of their grouping under Section 75.