T10. Mr Allen asked the Minister for Communities, after declaring an interest as a trustee of a charity, whether, eight months after money for charities was allocated to her Department, she can give more detail on the eligible schemes, given that the matter has been with her Department for some time. (AQT 1860/17-22)

We are working on a series of COVID funding schemes for charities, culture, arts and heritage and other areas. We are engaging with the bodies that would previously have administered that funding. We are also engaging with the sectors on what their needs are now. The previous COVID moneys came when there was a lockdown, and the value for money case stood up and could be attested to. We are working through some of those issues.

In the next short period, once I have a scheme that is ready to go, I will make that public. I cannot say any more now because I have not yet signed off on the final scheme, but we are working at pace.

I met officials last week to look at those schemes, and they are working to finalise the business cases in order to progress to the next stage.

We have time for a brief supplementary question and response.

Will the Minister elaborate on some of the needs highlighted by the charities, and will she give a commitment today that the full £5 million will go out the door to those charities that desperately need that money?

We will do that if we can ensure value for money when it comes to where we are now in the pandemic. Those moneys were COVID-related, and they obviously have to be used for those purposes. If that stacks up in the business case, then yes. I want all the money to be utilised for the intention that it is there for. We know that there is a need in the charity sector in relation to dealing with lost income, its inability to fundraise in the way in which it may have done previously, staff overheads and other pressures going forward, and stabilising the organisations. We are looking at those kinds of areas. Once all the checks and business cases have been approved, I want to move at pace to get that support out there as soon as possible. Once I am in a position to announce that, I will, of course, alert Members and the Committee.

Time is up.

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I take major umbrage with Members of the House trying to associate the GAA with the institutional racism in English cricket. I take major umbrage with Members of the House trying to portray the GAA as a sectarian organisation. The GAA is a wonderful community-based organisation —

Will the Member —

— which has done so much good for this country. The Member keeps attacking the organisation, and that should not be accepted.

The Member has made his point. It is not a point of order. I have to draw your attention to that. I ask Members to take their ease for a moment or two.