Department publishes final EQIA report on budget allocations 2023-24

The Department for Communities (DfC) has published its Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) Final report on Budget allocations for the 2023-24 financial year.

Over 240 individuals and organisations responded to the 12 week consultation providing detailed evidence and insights across all key budget decision areas.

Thanking all respondees, DfC Permanent Secretary Colum Boyle said: “We are operating within an extremely constrained budget allocation and we deeply appreciate the detailed contributions from so many individuals and organisations, representing the diverse interests of the community we serve.

“We acknowledge that many respondents share our views on priorities, particularly for the most vulnerable and at risk in our society.

“We also share the disappointment and frustration that our budget allocation is falling short of what we consider is needed.

"The Department has set out in the report a number of mitigations to address issues raised in the EQIA consultation, some of which have already been implemented.”

The Permanent Secretary added: “In broad terms, the measures we set out in the original EQIA will be taken forward. However, we have identified a number of mitigations, including additional funding for Discretionary Support Grants; initiatives around Supporting People, Employability and Homelessness. On the last of these, through continued robust financial management, we have been able to allocate an increase of £5m above the 2022-23 level to address demand pressures and the increased cost of temporary accommodation.”

The 2023-24 Budget settlement provided DfC with £861.6m Resource, £216.1m Capital and £25.6m Financial Transactions Capital (FTC).

Notes to editors: 

1. A summary of the budget decisions is available on the DfC website here.
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