To ask the Minister of Finance (i) to detail the reasons for not including funding allocation for labour market interventions, including the JobStart scheme, in the draft budget for 2021/22; (ii) whether the roll-over of COVID-19 funding from 2020/21 to 2021/22 could have been used for JobStart; and (iii) for his assessment of how the absence of this funding will affect both young people of working age and the wider economy of Northern Ireland.

As you know, unfortunately the outcome of the Spending Review represented effectively a flat-lining of our Budget position from 2020-21. This meant that it was not possible to meet all the pressures that Departments had identified for 2021/22. I recognise that this has resulted in a very challenging settlement for all departments, including the Department for Communities.

In producing a draft Budget, the Executive agreed to retain some Covid funding to allow Departments time to refine their pressures. There will therefore be an opportunity for the Executive to consider any further demands on the funding available when finalising the Budget.

I acknowledge that the ongoing effect of the pandemic is having an impact on the numbers of individuals that the Department for Communities is having to support in dealing with benefit claims, as well as helping people back to work. Proposed allocations to Departments as set out in the draft Budget are currently subject to consultation, which ends on 25 February. Responses will be taken into account before the final budget is agreed by the Executive and the Assembly. I will continue to engage with departments as the Executive moves towards a final Budget position. Once finalised, the Department for Communities may still seek to meet this pressure from within its allocation.