To ask the Minister of Health for an update on transitional support to be provided to voluntary and community sector organisations affected by the loss of the Revenue Grant Scheme.

The current core revenue grant funding scheme will end in March 2018. The intention to close of the Scheme in its current form was announced in June 2015 and, in an effort to minimise any negative impact on funded organisations, it is being withdrawn gradually over 3 years. Funded organisations will receive £3.4m in 2016/17 and £2.2 in 2017/18. We have also sought to minimise impacts as funding is withdrawn by replacing the current annual application process with one spanning two financial years.

My Department intends to introduce a new HSC Innovation Scheme, in 2017 which will be open to all voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. This scheme will recognise, support and strengthen the sectors capacity to develop innovative approaches to health and social care challenges.

I have also asked officials to develop proposals on how best to support the sector in its role of advocacy, co-design and connecting the voice of service users to the Department.