To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on their work arising from the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.

The Office of Identity and Cultural Expression remains in its establishment phase. A permanent Chief Executive and Accounting Officer were appointed in June 2026, and work is ongoing to finalise a four-year Corporate Plan, develop an annual Business Plan, and implement a permanent staffing structure. Alongside delivering cultural events and a school’s award to promote awareness of the National and Cultural Identity Principles, the Office has commenced engagement with public authorities on arrangements to monitor and promote compliance with the statutory duty to have due regard to those principles.

The Office of the Irish Language Commissioner continues to develop its functions and capacity. Additional staff have been recruited, governance arrangements strengthened, and draft Corporate and Business Plans developed. Work is also progressing on the Best Practice Standards, which will be subject to public consultation.

The Office of the Commissioner for the Ulster Scots and the Ulster British Tradition plans to consult on guidance for public authorities in May 2027. The Office is currently focusing on implementation of the Ulster-Scots education duty, curriculum review work, and support for the development of an Executive strategy for Ulster-Scots culture, heritage and language. The Commissioner has also undertaken extensive stakeholder engagement and good practice visits and is seeking legal advice on Ulster-Scots national minority status and related equality legislation.

The Executive Office officials continue to liaise closely with the offices to support them in the establishment phase.