To ask the Minister for Communities whether he will announce the Access and Inclusion Fund in quarter one of the financial year to give organisations the best chance possible to be able to submit and complete applications in the 2024-25 financial year.

The Department’s capital budget for 2024/25 has not yet been confirmed.

The capital funding that will be made available for my Department will need to be prioritised firstly to meet contractual commitments and other inescapable pressures that include health and safety maintenance work.

If sufficient funds are available to deliver a viable Access and Inclusion programme in 2024/25, I plan to launch the scheme at the earliest opportunity to allow organisations ample time to consider potential projects and submit applications.