To ask the Minister for Communities what support will be given to the advice sector to help it return to normal business and continue to help vulnerable people following lockdown.

Ms Ní Chuilín (The Minister for Communities)

I thank the Member for his question. It is a very good question. During the current crisis, the advice sector has been critical in assisting the most vulnerable people in our society and advice organisations across our community continue to deliver front-line support. I want to acknowledge that work and thank them for what they have delivered on the ground every day as we now move into a period in which restrictions are being eased. I am committed to protecting those who are in most need across our society and access to community-based, independent advice services is critical in meeting that commitment. My officials have worked closely with regional and local front-line advice organisations on a co-design production approach to develop support mechanisms. Transition planning is now well under way to assist regional and grassroots organisations to return to normal business, whilst ensuring that those who have been affected by COVID-19 continue to receive much-needed support. The community helpline will continue to connect the most vulnerable people to local support services through our stakeholders in the voluntary and community sector, and I have allocated additional funding to support that. Some £1·8 million of additional funding for debt-related advice will provide much-needed support to the individuals and small businesses that are experiencing financial problems due to coronavirus, and my officials are exploring options to ensure that that funding achieves the maximum impact. My Department continues to provide significant direct financial support of over £6·4 million per annum, which supports 360 jobs in the sector and delivers independent, community-based advice services to over 230,000 citizens.

Ms Ní Chuilín

The short answer is yes; I will absolutely continue the work that Deirdre Hargey started and will work with officials to do so. I saw some of the social media commentary on advice from the very start of the crisis. Everyone possible, all the partnerships, have worked together and the advice sector has loomed large. It is important that we talk to the experts, learn lessons from the lived experience and try to adjust the services so that they go to those who are in need. We also need to listen to the experiences of those who are delivering the services to ensure that the services are effective and on the ground and that people get a better outcome. I am happy to meet the structural and independent advice sectors. Those at the grassroots who have been working throughout the crisis definitely need a hearing.