To ask the Minister for Communities, in order to assist with the costs associated with renewal of their pilots licence, bringing Northern Ireland in line with the support that is available in the rest of the UK via the Low Value Provision fund, whether she will consider an extension of financial support options available to unemployed pilots in Northern Ireland.

The Department for Communities currently operates a scheme called the Adviser Discretion Fund, the objective of which is to provide resources of up to £300 to eligible persons for the purchase of goods or services in order to remove a barrier to employment. The scheme may also be used as a measure to support those who are required to complete a short training course in order to progress into work. I can confirm that the scheme has recently provided assistance to pilots towards the costs of the Licence Proficiency Check and has also assisted with costs associated with medicals required for a licence renewal.

As part of the Department for Communities labour market response to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent recession, a review of the Adviser Discretion Fund is underway and will include giving consideration to the current funding limits and flexibilities in terms of support which can be provided.