To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister (i) for their assessment of the reason the Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership closed; and (ii) whether their Department has carried out any formal evaluation of the partnership.

The Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership (NISMP) was hosted by the Northern Ireland Local Government Association (NILGA) between 2011 and 2022. One member of staff was employed, and when the post became vacant in April 2022, NILGA advised that they believed they were not the correct organisation to host the NISMP.

The Executive Office agreed with Home Office to formally take on some of the SMP functions, primarily those focusing on communication and engagement, to co-ordinate and encourage multi-agency support for asylum seekers and their integration into our society. This fits with our co-ordination responsibilities.

As TEO was not responsible for the establishment of the NISMP, the Department has not carried out any formal evaluation. We will continue to review the new arrangements for the communication and engagement responsibilities we have adopted, with Home Office, to ensure they are fit for purpose and meet local needs going forward.