To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the timetable for the development and publication of a (i) Gender Equality Strategy; and (ii) Sexual Orientation Strategy.

I have decided to take a phased approach to the development of Social inclusion Strategies and the options for next steps and timings for development of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Equality Strategies will be dealt with in due course.

Whilst my Department is leading on the Executive Social Inclusion Strategies final decisions on their content, publication and implementation will be subject to Executive agreement and public consultation.