To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps his Department is taking to ensure that vulnerable groups including (i) those with disabilities; and (ii) the elderly, are not excluded from accessing essential goods and services, due to cashless policies.

I am committed to working with my Executive colleagues to ensure that barriers are removed and everyone in Northern Ireland can participate in society on an equal basis, for example through the work my Department leads on the Social Inclusion Strategies. This work is driven by real and meaningful engagement with those with lived experience of the issues faced.

While the impact of cashless policies has not been raised in the work to date, my officials will ensure that this engagement continues throughout development and implementation of the Strategies, and that issues raised are addressed by the actions of the Executive departments.