To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for his assessment of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee’s report The Effect of Paramilitary Activity and Organised Crime on Society in Northern Ireland; and (ii) how he will work with the Minister of Justice to protect people and communities from becoming vulnerable to, and victims of, criminal gangs.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report outlines the complexity of the challenges we face and how important a co-ordinated approach across government is to addressing the effects paramilitary activity and organised crime have on vulnerable individuals, communities and wider society.

The recommendations in the report highlight issues such as illegal lending, the targeting and exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including those in financial hardship, and notes the correlation between paramilitary activity, deprivation, and mental health issues.

I agree that the approach to tackling paramilitarism and organised crime must be co-ordinated and has to involve all the relevant Government Departments, statutory bodies, local community organisations and wider society.

With regard to working with the Minister of Justice I can confirm that my officials will continue to work closely with their colleagues in the Department of Justice to deliver elements of the Executive Programme on Paramilitarism and Organised Crime (EPPOC). This includes working with other Government Departments, the PSNI, voluntary and community sector organisations, sporting and cultural bodies and local groups to increase awareness, build confidence and develop skills that create greater community resilience and confidence.

In addition, my Department will continue to support vulnerable individuals and communities through a range of programmes and services including the Neighbourhood Renewal programme, advice on debt management, funding for emergency food provision, training and employment support.

These interventions, and the ongoing support for community infrastructure, all make a positive contribution to the Executives long term goal of addressing the complex issues and challenges associated with protecting vulnerable people and communities from paramilitarism, criminality and coercive control.