To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the timeline in place to ensure that relevant legislation for social security, child maintenance, pensions, and welfare mitigations progresses through the legislative process by the March 2025 deadline.

I can confirm that appropriate regulations in respect of social security, child maintenance and pensions have been made in the period 1 April – 30 September 2024. The Department will continue to bring forward legislation within timeframes informed by different policy requirements and in line with Northern Ireland legislative processes. These timeframes are often in place to retain parity with the Department for Work and Pensions.

I am also committed to the introduction of any new legislation required in respect of the existing Welfare Supplementary Payment schemes before 31 March 2025.