To ask the Minister for Communities whether his Department plans to bring forward specific policies relating to the work of the National Museums of Northern Ireland, particularly within the context of the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme.

A new policy for museums in Northern Ireland is currently being developed as part of a suite of policies within the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme which I launched in July last year. This work aims to develop a comprehensive policy that will apply across the entire museum sector, including National Museums NI, which plays a vital role within this framework.

Upon completion of this process, National Museums NI will apply the policy when designing and developing their own strategic and operational priorities. My officials are working closely with National Museums NI to ensure alignment between their work on a corporate policy, and the work on the Museums Policy.