To ask the Minister of Finance for an update on what steps he is taking to ensure community groups, currently eligible for EU funding, do not miss out on the Shared Prosperity Fund.

I have been raising this matter with British Government Ministers for two years now. The continued lack of detail on the Shared Prosperity Fund is concerning. The British Government’s engagement to date on EU Structural Fund replacements has been wholly inadequate with a failure to recognise impact of the loss of approximately £80m per annum to spending power here.

I have met with NICVA and a number of community groups who depend on ESF funding to listen to their concerns and update them on my engagement. I continue to seek a greater role for our Departments in this fund. It is essential that the SPF is co-designed and co-delivered, has a substantive role for the Executive, is complementary to other funding streams and aligns with Executive priorities.

I recognise that lack of detail on any replacements for ESF funding is causing significant anxiety for groups. I, and my department will continue to update groups as engagement continues with Whitehall on this fund.

Community groups will have the opportunity to bid for EU funding from the upcoming PEACE PLUS Programme.