The Strangford MLA said: “We have continued to witness extended delays from the Communities Minister on the development of essential Social Strategies, including the Anti-Poverty, Disability, LGBTQI+, Active Ageing, and Gender Equality Strategies. This painfully slow progress is frustrating and is ultimately delaying the positive outcomes they set out to achieve.

“In response to my recent written question asking for an update on the LGBTQI+ Strategy, the Minister stated that he is taking a 'phased approach’ towards the development of the Social Inclusion Strategies. What process was used for this phasing? There is no transparency confirming how or why some strategies are being set aside.

“The Minister has been in office for over a year, yet none of the social strategies have been implemented. There has been a noticeable lack of urgency in delivering these strategies as we still await the publication of the Anti-Poverty Strategy following its Executive approval, and the Disability Strategy, which was highlighted for release in April of this year.

“It is also concerning that there has been little evidence suggesting that the Minister plans to progress the LGBTQI+ Strategy, Gender Equality Strategy or the Active Ageing Strategy in this mandate. These strategies will establish a framework for the government to take positive actions that support older people, individuals with disabilities, parents, women, men, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.

“The reasons for the continued delays in producing important strategies by the Minister are unclear, and it’s long past time for him to change approach and act with urgency.

“Ahead of the upcoming multi-year budget, if these vital strategies are not put before and agreed upon by the Executive in advance, it could be years before any positive, cross-departmental actions are taken to achieve their social objectives.”