Lyons announces continuation of Northern Ireland Integrated Advice Partnership Fund

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed that his department's Integrated Advice Partnership Fund will be extended into 2026/27 following a successful interim review of initiatives delivered across all 11 council areas.

The Fund, first launched by the Minister in November 2024, provided £1.7million to councils to commission locally designed, collaborative initiatives aimed at increasing access to regulated debt advice and strengthening referral pathways into the NI Debt Advice Service.

Speaking about the decision to extend the programme, Minister Lyons said: “When I launched the Integrated Advice Partnership Fund, my priority was to make sure that people across Northern Ireland could access debt advice earlier, more easily, and in places where they already feel supported.

"The early results clearly show that this approach is working. Councils and community partners have demonstrated real innovation, strengthening local networks and helping people get the advice they need. I am pleased to confirm that, because of this success, I will extend the Fund into 2026/27, which will enable this vital work to continue.”

Since the programme began, each council has commissioned initiatives tailored to their local communities, with activities delivered by a wide range of partners including advice providers, community organisations, housing support groups, GPs, schools, churches, food banks and specialist charities.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with:

• 96% of those surveyed were satisfied with the advice received in partnership settings;
• 92% of those surveyed felt more in control of their finances;
• 95% of those surveyed reported improved mental health or emotional wellbeing
• 95% of those surveyed satisfied with the referral processes;

Additionally, the fund has allowed for a significant investment in training that has strengthened local capacity with 81 training sessions delivered to 455 staff.

Due to this success, Minister Lyons has allocated approximately £449,000 to support extending the fund into 2026/27, which will enable maintenance of the partnerships and referral pathways that have been developed; continue to increase the uptake of regulated debt advice among people who may be reluctant to seek help; and use feedback and learning to allow local delivery providers to tailor existing initiatives or try new methods to reach even more people.

Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Service are one of the organisations to have received funding from their local council as a result of the programme.

Julia Cleeland, Operations Director said: “This fund has been vital in strengthening our debt advice service, enabling us to meet clients exactly where they are in their financial journey. It has given people the time, space and specialist support they need to navigate difficult circumstances without pressure. The investment has also allowed us to employ a dedicated Financial Wellbeing Co‑ordinator who delivers outreach, provides talks across the community, and raises awareness of the support available. Demand for debt support continues to rise across Mid & East Antrim, and this funding has made a meaningful and tangible difference to individuals and families across our community.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Fund complements the NI Debt Advice Service delivered regionally by Advice NI.
2. Ringfenced funding for debt advice services is raised through a levy on the Financial Services sector by HM Treasury and is distributed amongst the nations of the UK
3. For debt advice, individuals can contact the Advice NI Debt & Money Service Freephone helpline on 0800 915 4604 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm) or visit www.adviceni.net/debt.