AQW 46919/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Justice

To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) whether her Department plans to provide or facilitate funding opportunities for pilot prisoner support projects, beyond June 2026; and (ii) when organisations currently delivering these projects can expect clarity on funding for 2026–27, to allow for service planning.

Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 22 May 2026

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
22 May 2026
Answer due by
9 June 2026
Answered
29 May 20267 days after tabling
Department
Department of Justice
Priority question
No

Answer

As a budget for 2026/27 has yet to be agreed, I am unable to confirm full allocations for rehabilitation and resettlement interventions. In the interim, to avoid disruption to services which support safe resettlement and reduce reoffending, NIPS has put arrangements in place to allow existing providers to continue delivery until the end of June 2026.

I have asked officials to prioritise early decisions on funding allocations and to notify delivery partners as soon as possible once a budget is confirmed. I recognise the importance of providing certainty to organisations currently delivering these projects to support service planning and continuity.

Official sources