To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any (i) advice; and (ii) guidance, provided to each Department of the Executive, to ensure regional economic balance is considered before any award of contract, tender or grant monies are decided.

DoF has responsibility for policy around procurement and I do not have a remit to provide guidance to other Ministers on this. I am, however, glad to see a growing awareness of the importance of regional balance, which has been raised as a whole government issue within the new Programme for Government. I look forward to working with colleagues across the Executive to make sure this continues.