To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) what plans she has to introduce a £500 payment to workers forced to self-isolate for 14 days, similar to the Council-operated scheme in England; and (ii) for her assessment of whether such a scheme would have a positive effect on the number of workers failing to adhere to the rules of their 14-day self-isolation by instead going to work to earn money.

The Department for Communities has already introduced a non-repayable Discretionary Support Self-Isolation grant where a person or a member of their immediate family is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is advised to self-isolate in accordance with guidance published by the Public Health Agency.

The financial assistance this grant provides has helped around 15,000 people throughout this pandemic to a value of £2.1m. Unlike the scheme operated in England, these payments are not taxable, are not linked to enforcement, are not time limited to 14 days and include a specific amount for all dependent children in the household. This means, in fact, payments here can exceed £500 according to individual and family circumstances.

Further details can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/extra-financial-support#toc-2