To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any progress made in delivering the multi-year funding programme for sport, that was indicated during the consultation on Sport NI funding arrangements.

The consultation on multiyear Sport NI funding relates to the disbursement of National Lottery funding, and is an operational matter for Sport NI.

I have sought the requested information from the Chief Executive, who has advised as follows:

“During the consultation on Sport NI funding arrangements, stakeholders expressed strong support for a multi-year funding approach to provide greater stability and enable longer-term planning for sports organisations.

“Sport NI has been progressing work on the design of a multi-annual funding programme, which will align with strategic priorities and ensure robust governance and accountability.

“The programme aims to deliver improved certainty for funded bodies, reduce administrative burden, and support sustainable development of sport across Northern Ireland.

“Sport NI are currently working towards the development and implementation of a multi-annual funding programme for sport. Timelines and detailed arrangements are currently being finalised, and further information will be communicated publicly once this work is complete. Information on this programme will be released in due course.”