To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any engagement his Department has had with unpaid carers, and their representative organisations, in developing the Anti-Poverty Strategy.

I am aware of the challenges faced by carers having met with representatives of Carers NI earlier this year.

In addition to this, the public consultation on the draft Anti-poverty Strategy which ran from June to September involved input from a wide range of stakeholders from across the community and voluntary sector. This included organisations which have members who are carers and those who represent carers directly.

The Anti-Poverty Strategy Public Consultation closed on 19 September, and my officials are currently analysing and considering all responses received throughout the public consultation process. I will share the outcome of this analysis with my Executive colleagues, and we will take forward any further development as appropriate before finalising the Strategy for Executive consideration and approval.