To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any steps his Department is taking to support local community organisations in developing repair cafés.

In accordance with the waste hierarchy and in promotion of a circular economy, my Department aims to prevent waste generation and promote reuse and repair to keep products in circulation for as long as possible.

To support this goal, I have provided funding to Northern Ireland Resources Network (NIRN) through the Carrier Bag Levy fund. This has enabled NIRN to actively support and promote repair cafés as part of its broader mission to encourage reuse, repair, and waste prevention across community associations, social enterprises, charities, local authorities and the public.