To ask the Minister for Communities what actions she is taking to ensure the Shared Prosperity Fund allocation for Northern Ireland will be flexible to meet the needs of Northern Ireland.

The Department of Finance leads on this matter through its EU Future Policy and Finance Workstream. Executive Departments have, however, taken a joined up approach to the issue and have made a number of representations to the British Government raising concerns about proposals for delivery of the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).

Our main concern is that the proposed SPF allocation does not currently match equivalent EU funds and we are facing a shortfall in excess of £65m over the three year funding period. We also have concerns around proposals for local delivery of the Fund but will continue to engage with the British Government to try to resolve these issues and to ensure that there is no impediment to funding flowing to local organisations.