To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) any progress made in delivering the previously announced support package for households impacted by rising fuel and home heating oil costs; and (ii) when payments will be issued.

(i) On 16 April, I brought a proposal to the Executive to introduce a support package for those most affected by rising home heating oil costs. The Executive approved the proposal, with my Department securing £36.4 million to provide £100 in oil support to over 300,000 households across Northern Ireland. The scheme will support a wide range of vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, older people, and those on low incomes.

(ii) With Executive agreement in place, my officials will continue to work at pace to deliver the required IT system development and to put in place the necessary legislative and administrative arrangements for the scheme.

This work is expected to take approximately three months to complete.