To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any progress made by the Languages Strategies Cross Departmental Working Group since it reconvened in April 2024.

The Cross-Departmental Working Group (CDWG) is considering the Ulster-Scots Language, Heritage and Culture and Irish Language draft strategies and action plans proposed by each strategy’s Co-Design Group. Once the work of the CDWG is complete, the draft strategies will issue to me for consideration prior to Executive consideration and public consultation.

Alongside the work of the CDWG I am currently considering the next steps in the development of both strategies and associated action plans. I will then engage with Executive colleagues to ask them to consider and if content agree on those next steps.