To ask the Minister for Communities what additional support he can provide to local councils to encourage them to make all public toilets Stoma Friendly.

My Department works in partnership annually with the disability sector, DAERA, local Councils and the Northern Ireland Museums Council (NIMC) to deliver the Access and Inclusion programme. The aim of the programme is to promote a more inclusive society by improving accessibility at arts, cultural and active recreation venues for people with disabilities.

To date, the department has invested more than £6 million in over 300 projects to achieve this objective in developments such as:

Sensory Rooms and Gardens

Accessible Doors

Accessible play park equipment

Changing place facilities

Audio Visual Improvements

In 2023-24 Ards and North Down delivered a project to provide stoma toilet friendly facilities across the borough, providing suitable amenities to over 40 venues, with a grant award of up to £30,000.

I am currently working with officials to understand the implications of the recent Budget announcement. However, it is clear that the capital funding position for my Department in 2024-25 will be a significant challenge.