To ask the Minister for Communities (i) for her Department's definition of objective need; (ii) what criteria she will use when allocating funding to prioritise issues identified as delivering an objective need; and (iii) whether she will publish this criteria.

I am committed to ensuring that my Department’s resources are targeted where need is greatest, based on sound evidence and objective need. An agreed definition of objective need may be required as it is not currently defined in legislation. However, it will be challenging to agree a definition that fits all circumstances and, it is possible, the definition will change depending on the need we are trying to address.