To ask the Minister of Finance what actions his Department is taking to improve the operation of the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme, including (i) efforts to more quickly expedite processing of applications and payments; and (ii) communications with applicants concerning status of applications.

Land & Property Services has made a number of changes to the operation of the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme since it was established in early October with the aim of improving its operation, including investing in software and other measures to streamline the process and allow staff to deal with errors in applications without the need for applicants to reapply.

In anticipation that the Executive may need to further extend or adjust the restrictions, Land & Property Services has set up the system for the scheme in such a way as to allow top-up payments to approved applicants to be issued automatically without the need for further application.

Because the volume of applications has been very high and the restrictions have been amended and extended on a number of occasions, the administration of the scheme has been more complex than anticipated. As a result, LPS has directed all its available staff to the processing of applications to ensure payment is made at the earliest possible date. These staff are working hard to process the applications as quickly as possible, and I am very grateful to them for doing so. However, this has meant that there are no resources available with the necessary expertise to provide a dedicated telephone service to handle individual cases and all communication has been directed through e-mail.