Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities (i) whether the additional criteria for Discretionary Support that was added in summer 2023 due to a limited budget is still in place; and (ii) whether that additional criteria will be removed.
Minister for Communities: The changes to the Discretionary Support policy were introduced in July 2023 in an effort to protect and sustain the budget throughout the financial year. This was a necessary measure to ensure financial support continued to be available to help address the basic needs of some of the most vulnerable.
I recognise the importance of the Discretionary Support scheme, which is why the Discretionary Support Grant Budget has been topped up to £22m for 2024-25. However, in view of the continued constrained budget situation the additional eligibility criteria introduced in July 2023 will remain in operation.
ENDS
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