A Belfast MLA has called for clarity on when the Northern Ireland High Street Voucher scheme will open.
The scheme will offer all adults in Northern Ireland a £100 voucher to spend, in an attempt to help businesses recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Department for the Economy has confirmed the voucher scheme will start on a date after Sunday, September 12.
An exact date is yet to be revealed.
In a statement on Friday, September 10, East Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen MBE called on the Department for the Economy to clearly set out clarity on the timetable and what contingency plans it has in place should there be any further delays in rolling out the scheme.
Mr Allen said: “The High Street Voucher (stimulus) scheme was first announced back in November 2020. In the 10 months that have passed since then, the Department for the Economy has had sufficient time to formulate and commence the rollout of the scheme.
“The latest available information indicates individuals will have 6 weeks to use the card, with the scheme expected to close to any further payments by the card at the end of November.
“Given the short window there will be to process the expected volume of applications I am deeply concerned that many of those who are entitled may not have sufficient time to apply and make use of the high street stimulus scheme.
“I would, therefore, urgently call on the Department for the Economy to clearly set out timelines and indicate what preparations have been made in the unacceptable event of the scheme being further delayed.”
A DfE spokesperson said: "For the first half of this year, it would not have been appropriate to encourage shoppers back on to the streets due to restrictions linked to the pandemic. Following the easing of restrictions, businesses then benefited from increased trading brought about by pent-up demand.
"The Department for the Economy received approval and funding for the High Street Scheme in April 2021 and is currently finalising the details of a significant public service scheme to potentially collect and verify the identity of around 1.4 million people in Northern Ireland.
"The Minister will announce further details - including a date for the opening of registrations – in the near future."
Still have questions that need answering? Read our High Street Voucher scheme Q&A.
