To ask the Minister for Communities what steps his Department (i) has taken; and (ii) will take to work with the community and voluntary sector as a result of the Consultation on Voluntary and Community Sector Infrastructure Support and fair funding principles.

My department has engaged extensively and worked closely with the Sector to shape policy proposals for future support, through a dedicated representative Policy Reference Group, a series of stratified pre-consultation engagement sessions and subsequently through the 12 week consultation process itself.

Continued working with the sector will be an integral part of the next phase of development, which will see implementation of new infrastructure support arrangements. Identifying key delivery partners in the Sector will be important to ensure effective future funding support.

My department’s shared facilitation of the Joint Forum between government and the sector will bring forward proposals on shared values, ways of working and fair funding principles before the summer recess.