To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the current funding levels allocated to independent advice services; and whether there are plans to review and increase this in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

My Department has allocated in the region of £6.4million in the current year, for the provision of independent community based advice services, including appeals and help with problem debt.

Furthermore, I have allocated just over £1million for the provision of free debt advice and financial wellbeing support for citizens. This additional funding which is being directed through regional and local delivery partners, will enable more people whose finances are impacted by COVID-19, to access the debt advice service. It will also support debt preventative and financial wellbeing measures.

During the current crisis the advice sector has been critical in assisting the most vulnerable in our communities.

I am committed to addressing both the root causes and the impacts of poverty and to protecting those most in need. Access to community based, independent advice services, is critical to meeting that commitment.

My Department has been coordinating a regional response to the COVID-19 crisis, involving a comprehensive package of measures to support those most impacted by the pandemic. To date, £4.7million has been allocated through Councils, enabling a significant community response to those in need relating to food, low income and connectedness.

My officials have worked closely with regional and local frontline advice organisations on a co-design, co-production approach to develop support mechanisms such as the COVID-19 Community Helpline, which refers people into community level supports.

The Community Helpline will continue to connect those most vulnerable people into local support services through our stakeholders in the Voluntary and Community Sector and I have allocated additional funding to support this.

I am dedicated to ensuring that people continue to receive the support that they need.