To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of financial hardship among people of state pension age who are not entitled to means-tested benefits.

I remain committed to ensuring that older people can access the support they need. My Department provides a range of measures to assist those experiencing financial hardship. My Department’s Active Ageing Strategy and associated Action Plan set out a vision for Northern Ireland to be an age-friendly society, where older people are valued and supported to live active, independent lives, with their rights respected and dignity protected. Work is continuing on the new Active Ageing Strategy Action Plan, which I intend to share imminently with Executive colleagues before proceeding to public consultation.