To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether any assessment has been made of potential duplication of services where multiple organisations are funded to deliver similar programmes in the same locality.

Across The Executive Office funded programmes, a range of measures are in place to ensure that the duplication of services is minimised. This includes cross-representation on assessment panels and governance structures as well as the sharing of information relating to project delivery at operational and strategic levels. Where funds are administered via Councils, the application of local knowledge and grant processes also ensures projects can respond to local need without duplicating delivery.

In addition, our officials are liaising with officials in the Department for Communities on how Government departments, councils and community organisations can better align resources and improve coordination of delivery, thereby helping to reduce the risk of duplication where multiple organisations operate in the same locality.