To ask the Minister for Communities what actions she is taking to address the legacy of isolation, loneliness and related vulnerabilities amongst the elderly and shielding groups.

My Department leads on the Executive’s Social Inclusion Strategies, including the existing Active Ageing Strategy and the development of the new Disability Strategy.

The Active Ageing Strategy promotes participation through many of the initiatives it contains. The current Active Ageing Strategy is being evaluated to inform the development of a successor strategy.

My Department is working proactively on a number of initiatives to make sure that all eligible pensioners can claim Pension Credit to which they are entitled. We continue to work collaboratively with Age NI and other trusted key stakeholders in the community to help us reach out to those pensioners who need support.

The Winter Fuel Payment provides pensioners with support for their energy bills and last year, 283,537 Winter Fuel payments were made at a total cost of £50.6m.

I initiated the COVID19 Voluntary & Community Sector Emergencies Response Programme and my Department is working with partners, to lead on funding and logistics for a comprehensive package of support to enable the statutory and third sectors to work together to protect the most vulnerable.

Many of the organisations benefiting from Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Funding deliver services to citizens who feel they are in the margins of society and helping them address issues associated with social isolation.