To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the provision of a Test and Trace Support Payment for Northern Ireland.

On 25 March Minister Hargey responded swiftly to the pandemic by introducing a non-repayable Discretionary Support COVID-19 living expenses grant where a person or a member of their immediate family is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is advised to self-isolate in accordance with guidance published by the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being. This grant is unique to the North and was made available nearly 8 months ahead of the other devolved administrations.

I have considered the detail of the self-isolation grant in England, Scotland and Wales and am content that a further package of financial support for people on a low income who have to self-isolate is not required at this time. The financial support we are providing here will not end in January unlike the support provided by the Self-Isolation Support Grant in England, Scotland and Wales.

In addition, unlike the fixed Test and Trace Support Payment, a Discretionary Support COVID-19 living expenses grant award will include a specific amount for any dependent children in the household and can be made for periods of more than 14 days regardless of circumstances. This means that it is possible for individual awards to exceed £500, making this a more supportive intervention for the lowest paid workers than the Self-Isolation Support Grant.