To ask the Minister for Communities, further to the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 which reported that only one department undertook a Child Rights Impact Assessment on its draft budget, to outline how his Department is ensuring children’s rights are protected in its budget decisions.

My Department takes its responsibilities under Section 75 of the NI Act (1998) seriously and remains committed to meeting our statutory obligations regarding the promotion of equality and good relations.

All departmental allocations and measures to live within budgets are consulted on through Equality Impact Assessments which consider impacts on all Section 75 groups; and, where a specific Child Rights Impact Assessment is deemed to be required, this will be undertaken.

Whilst my Department’s 2025-26 Budget position is challenging, in allocating the budget, no areas of service delivery are proposed for reduction.

My Department’s budget will continue to be allocated to support existing statutory and public service delivery, and in line with previous Budget EQIAs, has been allocated to mitigate any adverse impacts on Section 75 categories, including young people.

Throughout 2025-26, within my Department’s available funding envelope, I will strive to deliver the best possible outcomes for people, including children.