To ask the Minister for the Economy (i) for an update on the delivery of Causeway Coast and Glens Growth Deal projects; and (ii) how her Department is ensuring these commitments deliver tangible benefits for local businesses.

My Department is currently supporting the Causeway Coast & Glens Growth Deal with four projects. These are The Centre for Food & Drug Discovery (CfFDD), Business Innovation and Incubation Hub (BIIH), Foodovation & Skills Centre and Connected Causeway. The Centre for Food & Drug Discovery is at the final stages of approval while the other projects are progressing in business case development.

This collaborative approach between the Department, the Councils and its partners is central to ensuring the Growth Deal delivers maximum impact for the region, including supporting job creation, fostering innovation, and enhancing regional competitiveness. Through Invest NI and partners we will focus on creating new opportunities for local firms to engage in supply chains, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to access innovation facilities, and helping to develop the skills needed by local employers.