To ask the Minister for Communities what steps he is taking to help voluntary and community sector organisations that have stopped providing services due to budget cuts.

My department did not make cuts to community and voluntary sector grants as part of last year’s budget exercise and my officials are not aware of any community organisation that we fund having stopped providing services.

I recognise the role that the voluntary and community sector plays in providing a wide range of support to people across Northern Ireland and would like to see more organisations being supported, should budget become available.