To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any guidance their Department has issued to the delivery partners of the Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Funds, in relation to funding availability in the absence of an agreed Executive budget.

Officials continue to work closely with Change Fund partners in all Councils and Regional Delivery Experts, keeping them updated on the Executive budget position, however no specific guidance has been issued on funding availability.

We are aware of the financial pressures and remain focussed on delivery which is why we have committed over £4million this financial year for communities, working with partners across society to raise awareness on violence against women and girls and equip everyone to take action to prevent it.

This includes the allocation of interim funding to continue delivery of the Regional Change Fund and issuing funding awards to all Councils to support community activity under the Local Change Fund, allowing community organisations to get grassroots projects up and running.

This funding allocation will ensure the Change Fund can continue to support both regional and local initiatives as well as community-based interventions that contribute to preventing and addressing violence against women and girls.