To ask the Minister of Finance, following the allocations announced on 20 May 2021, how long is his Department projecting that the existing COVID-19 business support schemes are sufficiently funded.

The Localised Restrictions Support Scheme (LRSS) provided financial assistance to businesses required by the restrictions imposed under the Health Protection regulations to close or severely curtail their normal services. Since the restrictions on business have now largely been removed, payments from the LRSS have ceased with effect from 23 May. My Department has access to sufficient funding to meet the commitments under the scheme up to that date.

The Department for the Economy is responsible for the COVID Restriction Business Support Scheme (CRBSS) and the Large Tourism and Hospitality Business Support Scheme (LTHBSS) and is best placed to clarify the current position in respect of the funding for these schemes. It is my understanding that similar to the LRSS scheme, payments under the DfE schemes have largely ceased with effect from 23 May.