T6. Mr Chambers asked the Minister for Communities when she intends to introduce welfare mitigation legislation. (AQT 1466/17-22)

I have the legislation ready, as I presented to the Committee last Thursday. The regulations are ready as well. I have had the paper in with the Executive, and I am waiting for it to be placed on the agenda to be agreed. I have already said that I am ready and willing. It could be done over the summer. It would take a six-week period, all in, for the regulations to close those loopholes to be made. That cannot be shortened; it has to proceed in that way. From my end, everything is ready to go. Once it gets approval, the SR1 form will be given to the Committee. The Committee is ready and willing, even if it means working over the summer, to get this progressed without delay.

That is the end of the period allocated to questions to the Minister for Communities. I ask Members to take their ease for a few moments.