Live coverage from 10.30am.
Business includes:
– Members’ Statements
– Ministerial Statement: Public Consultation on proposals to establish a Statutory Inquiry and Redress Schemes for those affected by Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses
– Ministerial Statement: North South Ministerial Council Environment Sectoral Meeting
– Ministerial Statement: North South Ministerial Council Aquaculture and Marine Sectoral Meeting
– Motion: The draft Working Time (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024
– Question Time: Education and Assembly Commission
– Motion: The draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Search, Recovery of Cryptoassets and Investigations: Codes of Practice) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024
– Second Stage: Child Support Enforcement Bill (NIA Bill 05/22-27)
– Motion: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2024
– Motion: The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024
– Motion: The Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024
– Adjournment: Traffic Chaos Affecting Villages in Lagan Valley
View the full Order Paper and indicative timings: https://lk.cmte.fyi/NPXx
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assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed [Music] assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber [Music] signed e e e please be seated first item of business is member statements usual rules of plan I call Philip mcgan uh K CER I want to put on record today the successful cycling Ireland men’s women’s uh TT and R championships uh across all categories Juniors under 23 uh and Elite and paryan categories that took place in lerich last weekend and if I could begin by congratulating Newcastle West C Cycling Club and cycling Ireland for organizing safe and challenging races across all the categories that help to produce wory worthy winners uh in all the races uh so I I want to Here pay tribute to the winners and also to their success to be successful in cycling requires discipline in all aspects of your life and dedication to put in the necessary hours and hours of training uh in heale rain and sun and obviously as we live in Ireland that that training is done mostly in hail and rain and sometimes uh complemented by wind in particular uh K Kier I I want to thank uh or congratulate the winners uh who who come from the north and and their success over the weekend uh Dean Harvey who won the Under 23 uh men’s road race who Cycles with Trinity racing but began uh cycling with VC Glendale in West Belfast and I I know that club will be particularly satisfied with the success of Dean another local club that help produce order apologize but I must interrupt you uh ask you to resume your seat um it’s brought my attention we don’t currently have a quorum so we can ask that the bells be wrong and uh you can uh you can continue Mr M where that’s happening you can continue Mr okay uh I I was also just congratulating and paying tribute to another uh Club from the north that will be delighted with the results over the weekend that’s Island wheelers from Cole Island uh and who have shown the dedication uh to promoting youth cycling can certainly produce uh amazing results uh for that club but also particularly for the the raferty family uh who are leading the way in terms of cycling I want to pay tribute and congrat ulate aliia who came second in the junior woman’s time trial I also want to congratulate her brother uh Adam who won the man’s under 23 time trial uh cycling championship at the weekend but in particular I want to pay tribute and congratulate darn raferty for his success in winning the man’s Elite Road Race Championship at the weekend uh darn is now a professional cyclist playing his trade uh across the continent and doing great things he is following in the footsteps of being an Irish national road race champion following some of the greats of of our sport here in Ireland and I have no doubt that uh he will do Irish sain proud uh for the rest of this season and across next season in his racing career across Europe where in the illustrious illustrious Irish national uh saing Jersey and I wish him well in in that thank you apologies disruption Mr Steven D much Mr Speaker I rise today to wish her Royal Highness the Princess Royal on a very Swift and full recovery after she was admitted to hospital with a minor head injury and concussion following an unfortunate incident at arcom Park estate in gloucestershire at the weekend Princess Anne is a remarkable lady and has a very well- earned reputation as an incredibly hardworking member of our royal family in 2023 it was reported by the teleg that the princess carried out a remarkable 457 engagements in the last year alone over the years the princess has made many visits to Northern Ireland most recently in April of this year when she visited County London der and County formana I’ve had the privilege of meeting her Royal Highness a number of times including when she visited Banger to unveil the city’s official warrant back in 2022 and at a special event for the 80th anniversary of the Sea Cadets in Northern Ireland and it was evident to anybody in attendance the remarkableness um of the princess and her dedication to service the Princess Royal has rightly and truly followed in her mother’s Footsteps in a life dedicated to unwavering service to our nation and Commonwealth and it is unfortunate that she has had to postpone a plan visit to Canada this week as a result of of her injury renowned for her Devotion to her family the princess is one of the most recognizable and well- loved members of our Royal family both at home in the UK and across the world where she is so highly respected and admired she has led an incredible life becoming the first member of our royal family to compete in the Olympics back in 1976 the princess remains passionate about horses and continues to ride at many state occasions and most recently just a number of weeks ago at the tribine of the color event in London she also devotes much of her time to supporting supporting so many good causes and Charities right across the globe I’m sure all members of the House Mr Speaker will join me in wishing her Royal Highness a full and Swift recovery and return to public duties where she continues to be a true inspiration to us all may we also continue to remember His Majesty the king and her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales as they continue the treatment for cancer at this time God bless her royal family thank you Mr Speaker Onan thank you Mr Speaker I rise today to bring like to to something that many constituents have contacted me about an absolute frustration over a fence that was erected by ni water on the northton coastal path the co Coastal path is the best asset in my constituency of Northtown it runs from Banger through crawfords bur and Helens Bay beaches P SE Hill and CRA and through to Hollywood you may be able to see my bias when I say it’s natural beauty and scenery is unrivaled with Rich biodiversity interwoven into its very fabric people in North Town cherish our Coastal path and changes need to be done with Community consultation at the heart so then imagine my dismay when in 2019 ni water erected a large unwanted fence right on the coastal path ruining the sight lines and beautiful views of Belfast lock from as far away as Banger City Center and completely overshadowing an existing historic wall a proud part of the seaside Heritage within this city this fence is a complete eyesore and universally opposed by elected representatives and constituents alike ni I water cited the reason that they erected this fence in the first place is that one counselor one had asked them to erect a fence around a largely hidden pumping station the one counselor who asked for this fense to be instated has now retired and all 40 counselors five mlas one MP and scores of local residents have all asked for it to be removed D and ni water have refused time and time again to bring progress on this work I coordinated a joint letter to ni water from all five north down mlas requesting to meet together and discuss this fence on a cross-party basis they even refused to meet us again citing no because they wouldn’t be removing the fence whilst the ugly ice War fence remains this issue has not escalated our planning committee has spent hours deliberating this fence first to determine whether it was even allowed to be built in the first place without planning permission and then secondly urging ni ni water to engage with the council to find a way forward and get it removed again ni water continue to refuse to remove the fence now our consors are hiding are working po polities are working at hiding this obstruction in one of our places of natural beauty this should not be a battle that needs fought that is stay and shown for local people of north town and those who they elect by an water has been incredibly disappointing our public bodies and public services are here to serve us all and I urge the minister for infrastructure to explore urgent Community consultation and find a solution which actually works for the people of North Town call down for South thank you Mr Speaker in my constituency of Southdown we had a celebration last week where the shamberg society in the Kingdom of mour opened a new uler Scot Center called the Partland Hub in Kil kale of which I’m proud to be a patron this Center will take forward education AER Scots culture and sports within our community and I wish the shamberg society every success with that I also want to wish them well with their Heartland Festival 2024 which starts from this Thursday with the launch of fuse FM mour and a gathering up at the Silent Valley these two weeks in the Kingdom of mour lead the way as we inspire people within the ster Scots culture right across Northern Ireland to gather with a series of events I welcome everyone to the kingdom of mourn to celebrate culminating in the pageant on the 11th of July tens of thousands of people from across Northern Ireland and Beyond celebrating this pageant the concert the fireworks and I invite colleagues from right across the chamber to come and enjoy and celebrate this pos positive oler Scots event and wish the shamberg society every success thank you public money we are constantly told is short uh and scarce and I’m sure it is and will continue to be so and yet within this house uh while many pay lip service to the need to prioritize Health there seems to be a majority in this house who would prioritize the public spending on a sporting facility namely kman Park a project which might well swallow up more than 300 million pounds of public money and yet it is blindly endorsed by that majority from shenen the alliance party and the sdop and of course that is done in the repetition of the habitual demand that the British government should fit the bill and yet as was rightly pointed out in the newsletter editorial of last week a there was attention drawn to this chorus of demand that it’s up to the British government to pay for this but no pressure whatsoever on the GAA the primary beneficiary over all of this who still persists that its contribution will be it’s Meely 15 million 15 million when the whole project was meant to cost 70 something million still 15 million was likely to cost over 300 million as that editorial pointed out that is an untenable position if the ga want this Stadium then they have to put their hand into their own Deep Pockets this is the richest sporting organization in Northern Ireland and yet it thinks it should sponge off the British taxpayer to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds that editorial was also entitled The dup should make clear its view on the casement cost yet yes y with the dup’s manifesto not a mention of casement we have a minister H Minister L who has ruled out claw back for no GGA use of that stadium and so I do say to this house that at a time when we all profess a belief in the need to fund education and health we really need to get a grip of a runaway project like this and to realize that is if it’s to be provided should be provided in the same proportion as was provided for Rugby Football and nothing more call Paul Frey whilst it’s true to say that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission remains silent through the worst excesses of human right violations during the pandemic and the coercive and discriminatory nature of some of the laws that the Department of Health prod produced in that time I commend the intervention by human rights commissioner Allison katrick when she states that there should be a statutory duty of cander an obligation on doctors to be fully and completely truthful in order to protect lives and to stop the coverups the atrocious coverups that has happened in our recent past the time for obstruction is nearly over the time of dragging their feet dark arts and unethical practices from the Department of Health and the BMA and others are coming to an end I stand here in support of the Roberts family and other families who have been fighting campaigns to bring truth Into the Heart of our Health Service and the people who work there Not only would have juty of CER statutary juty of CER individual juty of CER bring that truth inject that truth into our system it will also arm ordinary staff members who are told by their line managers to do unethical practices like shred paperwork like amend notes and be untruthful with the the the evidence it will arm them to say no it is unacceptable for you to ask me to do that it is even unlawful and that will arm ordinary staff members doctors Junior doctors and nurses and other staff members within our Health Service in order that the truth will be shown and that families will get the redress and the truth of what happened to their loved ones sooner thank you very call thank you the weekend past activists from the sa Lo n campaign gathered once again to make the case for Urgent action to save the L and I want to thank them for their tireless work and despite all the warnings and actions from activist groups and campaigners last year about the alal bloom and the need for Action we are here again with complete an action from the D Minister and the executive an algal blooms once again sprouting up storment with its previous policies and current lack of urgency is the blame for this recurring problem the go for growth strategy was a disastrous approach that rewarded polluters and maximized pollution and Industrial farming and this is one of the outcomes of a disaster strategy that isn’t good for small farmers or food environment or evidently our fresh water Mr Speaker campaigners for lole have been demanding an independent Environmental Protection Agency urgent investment in research and Recovery plan and and the commercial Dron and a rights of nature for Lo their final demand Mr Speaker has been the public acquisition of the log it is totally unacceptable that the Earl of shasy has rights and financial benefit of the log because his ancestors stole it there’s been a consensus across most of society that it is totally archaic and unfair that this has been the case and it’s worth Mr Speaker reminding the house of what the minister said about this a few months ago if people think that ownership of the log is the solution to the problem then they’re badly mistaken public ownership and Community ownership is very much part of the solution Minister given the ear’s recent announcement and the fact that the minister is due to meet him in coming days or weeks I would urge Speedy action to take access and R the Lo away from the Earl it is totally unacceptable Mr Speaker that people have profited from the plunder of the L it’s time to hand it back to those people who need it who use it and who love it it’s time for public ownership of Lo thank you that concludes member statements if members would take their ease um next item of business will be conducted uh by the principal Deputy speaker okay members I’ve received notice from the first and Deputy first ministers that they wish to make a statement before I call the first Minister I would like to remind members that they must be concise and asking their question it isn’t an opportunity for long introductions so without further delay I call First Minister the deputy first Minister and I wish to inform members that the executive executive office will launch a public consultation on proposals to establish a statutary public inquiry and a financial redress scheme for those affected by mother and baby institutions maglin laundries workhouses and their Pathways and practices the consultation will be launched this week today marks another important Milestone and an acknowledgement of the suffering Afflicted on Mothers and children in mother and baby institutions mag laies and workhouses we have spoken directly to survivors and when know that they still suffer the trauma of their appalling experiences a trauma which was only ever made worse by years of being ignored whenever they sought the Justice they deserved we took the opportunity at the meeting to thank them for their significant efforts in seeking the truth and acknowledgement for the terrible wrongs that they and others endured we welcome the cross party interest and support this important matter has attracted to date as members are already aware we are Keen to keep working on this movement so that those affected and their families can access truth acknowledgement and accountability I’m sure we can all agree that they have waited for far too long and we all want to play our part to address the most difficult and shameful part of our past the public consultation aims to gather a whole wide range of views this will help to shape the legislation necessary to set up the inquiry to establish answers to the Three core questions of what happened when it HP or why it happened and who was responsible additionally we want to avoid mistakes of the past where victims and survivors were required to wait for too many years before they could actually Access Financial address that is why this scheme will provide for a more immediate and standardized payment initially a further individually assessed payment will then also be made available following the work of the inquiry victims and survivors have long campaigned for justice and while we are aware that has taken too long to get to this point we really want to recognize some of the work achieved since the executive agreed the truth recovery design panel’s recommendations back in November of 21 notably the first phase of the investigation has already begun with the appointment of the thuth recovery independent panel in April 23 we want to thank the panel for the publication of its inter report just last month for both the in independent panel and the stat inquiry to carry out meaningful invest investigations it is vital that they have access to records that they can assess make evidence-based recommendations for this reason we are pleased to update members that significant progress has already been achieved in this area since this house passed the preservation of documents act back in March of 22 prony has been able to engage with institutions and begin the process of accessing preserving and digitizing and cataloging approximately 4,500 private records with over 3,000 of those items being deposited already all of this work has been um progressed in parallel with the delivery of dedicated and specialist support for victims and survivors through the victim survivors service in partnership with wave trauma center and adopt ni these Services have been designed with victims and Survivor groups and others to make sure that they are Survivor Le accessible and responsive and over 300 people have been able to access these Support Services to date yesterday the deputy first Minister and I met with the victim and survivors met with victims and survivors from The consultative Forum and we felt it was important that they were able to hear at firsthand about the next steps in relation to the public consultation and to thank them for all of their efforts to this point what they need now is the establishment of a public inquiry and delivery of a address scheme without delay members will know from our statement on the legislative program in recent weeks that we hope to see the draft Bill to establish the public inquiry and the financial address scheme introduced in the assembly before the end of this year the consultation will run for a period of 12 weeks it will involve a series of online and inperson events and these events will allow those affected to ask questions and gain a better view of the proposals and also help them to contribute we would encourage everyone who has an interest in this shap in the shape of this inquiry and this redress scheme to get involved this includes those directly or indect directly affected by the institutions members of statutary and non-statutory organizations Health and Social Care Professionals and The Wider general public All Views expressed as part of the consultation will be fully considered before finalizing the draft bill the bill will be brought to the executive for its agreement before being introduced into this assembly finally in launching this consultation we wish again to acknowledge the tireless and effective campaigning of all the victims and survivors which have helped to bring us to this point their patience their determination their dignity throughout these years has been absolutely remarkable we hope that the steps that are being announced today will provide them with some comfort and some reassurance that we as an executive and an assembly are committed to supporting them thank you thank you first Minister before I um bring someone in to ask questions a lot of people is and their places at the same time so if you just B with is just try and get up and down again we’ll try and and make sure you’re down so first the ask questions is Chen mlin you first Minister for your statement today it’s really welcome it’s long overdue um will you commit that if any religious order does not contribute fully to this redress scream that the state will pursue their assets to secure the payment in full and will you confirm the date on which we will know the value of the final payments first minister so this public consultation is absolutely about um Gathering all the information it’s about the framework in which we will proceed forward it’s about giving the powers to the panel and the inquiry to be able to scope out all of the informations of the who um how women ended up in these um institutions what happened to their children in cases where it’s a mother and baby um and we need to find out all of this information to take it forward but I can tell you that we have already started the work of Engagement with the institutions and as I’ve said in relation to um historical institutional abuse we need to pursue these institutions they have to pay address because that is also part of the heing process um but this is going to be an ongoing piece of work as we move through um this area of work now but the priority for the consultation is actually about putting shape to the inquiry itself what is that inquiry going to look at the scope of that inquiry and the panel work as well so this is very informative but it’s absolute an opportunity for us to be able to get this right in this instance and I think we’re all determined to get this right call Paulo speaker um today is an important important milestone for the birth mothers adult adoptees and their families who have campaigned for many years for truth justice and accountability first Minister given that there’s a long road ahead will you be establishing a role for an interim Advocate to provide individualized support to those seeking to contribute to the inquiry and or seek redress thank you yes I think it’s really important that we look at how we’re really accessible in the consultation and certainly yesterday when we met with the victims and survivors Forum we we made it very clear to them that we want to be accessible so we’re going to establish ways to for them to engage um and there will be someone there that can help them to engage because I think language is very important and whenever we’re talking about um this horrific time in pe people’s lives so we have to be very sensitive to this and I want to make sure that we that we are very sensitive in terms of the consultation itself and we are going to um work with the victims and cers survivors group work with the engagement form and make sure that we create the space that people can sit down and in their way um put across their views around what they think should happen so um I’m absolutely determined and I think we can uh do uh do the right thing by victims and survivors here in terms of making sure that every thing that’s required for for them to be able to preate fully is is done alterate anas um and I welcome today’s statement and wholeheartedly acknowledge the significance of this for the victims and survivors can I ask uh the minister to set out what pows the public inquiry will have first Master’s going to respond thank you question um so there will be bespoke legislation on this allbe that it will be very similar to the parge provided for in the inquiries Act of 2005 there were elements of this that required that bespoke uh legislation and that’s exactly what we are uh Consulting on there are 40 pages of consultation that will go through each of those Clauses in particular detail um there are many of those issues there’s no doubt there will be consensus on but there are a number of key questions that we have asked uh to seek uh the views of the public but absolutely in particular uh The View of those Victor victims and survivors and those most impacted by this thank you I call Bran Kingston thank you madam principal Deputy speaker and I I welcome this statement launching uh the consultation on proposals for a public inquiry and a financial redress scheme and the first Minister has mentioned already uh the issue of access to records this is a matter raised and a frustration raised by many of those who presented evidence to those of us on the executive office committee could I ask the first minister to say more on how the executive office will assist people to access their personal records first Minister yes um and thanks for that question I mean I think that uh we all recognize the difficulties that access in records has caused and it’s been a real cause of distress again for for many victims and survivors and also frustration and for obvious reasons so um as you know the access and the adoption records is the responsibility of the Department of Health who we understand have worked closely with the victims and survivors of mother and baby in institutions magnet laundries and workhouses to revise the guidance that’s been used by Health trusts in back in November of 23 and then we’ve also had the implementation of the updated gains which is now in effect and officials are going to continue to closely monitor the situation there seems to have been some positive um movement on this and we hope that this is maintained over the monitoring period um up to November 24 albeit they were aware of continued issues in some areas and individuals are being supported with those issues as well I call on chamber thank you very much Deputy principal speaker I’m delighted that my private members bill of preservation of documents Act passed in March 22 is making a significant contribution to initial investigations into this terrible blot on our past no such legislation exists in the Republic of Ireland and Records have been lost will the executive office lobby the government in Dublin to close this Gap and make sure that any Salvage records are made available to the inquiry and also we have talking about compensation will compensation come from the public purse or from the organizations involved in this staying uh on our care of what were some of the most vulnerable people in our community that be first Minister I thank the member for his question I play tribute to the member for your uh private members bill I think the feedback on that legislation has been hugely positive I think it’s doing very valuable work and I think it is certainly something that the first Minister and I should raise to the Republic of Ireland government um as a good example of what needs to be done like the access to information and to that personal information would be critical not just uh to the families uh and those impact in terms of getting a better understanding about what happened but of course to the inquiry as well and that will feed through to the retress payments not necessarily the standardized payment although it may be but particularly in terms of the individual assessed uh payment as well so it’s a a good piece of legislation I certainly think that other jurisdictions should take account of that but I think in this context where there’s crossborder elements it would be important for the Irish government also to consider this thank you I call Linda Dylan and can I thank the minister for statement and as others have outlined I know this will be welcomed by the victims and survivors who have suffered for many many years particularly those women and their adult children so Minister you have outlined that you met yesterday with the victim and Survivor engagement Forum can you confirm that the victims and survivors have access to this consultation document before anyone else first Minister yes um I think that’s really important it’s something that the Deb first Minister and I listened to very carefully yesterday when we met the victims and survivors and they were eager for the right reasons obviously to have sight of this before it becomes public given the sensitivity around um the consultation itself so we have committed to ensuring that they get that after we give after we’ve given the statement this morning to the the house and then we will immediately get the statement to The consultative Forum so they have it a full two days hopefully in advance of it being public on Thursday thank you I called Steven dun thank you Deputy speaker can I ask the the deputy first Minister just to detail what support services are in place for for these victims and survivors and just join with others and welcoming the statement so far and the progress made first Minister thank the member for his question yes it’s been a key aspect of this that we recognize that for many many of those impacted most this can be a very uh traumatizing and r traumatizing experience as they go through this and I’ve no doubt there will be many difficult times ahead for many of those victims and survivors as well so it was uh really important that from the outset of this that there was a process put in place to offer that help and support I’m pleased to say that we’ve been working through the likes of the victims and Survivor service and over 300 um victims and survivors have reached out for that help and support we do anticipate as this uh rules forward and um there are advertisements for example to encourage people to come forward that more people in the those 300 will make themselves known so therefore we believe that the support mechanisms will increase as we go through this and we must meet that need thank you call Conan thank you first and Deputy first Minister I welcome um this announcement today it is indeed progress can I please ask um when navigating the public inquiry and redress scheme how you will ensure that it is a trauma informed approach when dealing with victims and survivors from these institutions first Minister than thank you for that um so the department is um committed to ensuring that we adhere to the five guiding principles of trauma informed practice so that’s safy trustworthiness um collaboration choice and empowerment and all memories all members of the thth recovery team have undertaken training in drama informed practice and endeavored to provide that very safe and respectful um forum and for discussion at The Forum itself and these are as we all know very difficult very sensitive um areas that and we we absolutely acknowledge and did so yesterday again when we met um with the victims and survivors that language is crucially important um when we’re speaking about um such a sensitive topic so we we understand that there even within the victims and survivors family themselves there is a perhaps a difference of approach or a difference um in terms of how people would come at some of these issues around suitable terminology we don’t want to add to anybody’s distress so I think it’s important that we are Guided by the TR and form principles that helps um make sure that we take uh the best possible approach call Gilder I got PR and thank the minister for her statement important statement in regard to these victims and survivors and campaigners for so many years can the first Minister outline if Social Security benefits are to be disregarded for payments depy first Minister answer that question yes um we are aiming for social security benefits to be disregarded as in common with some of the other payments um in the redress schemes that we’ve already rolled out through the department so we’re confident that that will be done there have been a number of those discussions and indeed that will be touched on in the consultation but we’re confident that they will be disregarded for the purpose of thank you I call on for thank you um Can the minister outline how the executive office is ensuring that the work Ono is trauma informed first Minister yes I think as I said this is really important that we practice um everything that we do is traa informed and that we um adhere to the five guiding principles safety trustworthiness collaboration choice and empowerment and as I said the program recovery team have all undertaken their training in this area um sensitive and difficult issues so it’s so crucially important that we’re all Guided by this call P thank the minister for statement and wonder could she outline the process uh for the standardized and indiv Julie assessed payments that be first Minister thank you first question yes uh there will be a twin track approach in terms of the two different schemes but also in terms of standard type process to actually rule out at the same time as the substantive inquiry now this is an unusual approach um but it was very much based on our experience of the historical institutional abuse inquiry where of course the inquiry went first there was a huge amount of valuable work that was done during that inquiry but of course it did take a number of years and we’re very conscious that the victims and survivors do have needs right now um that made its way into the considerations um around uh this particular issue and the recommendation which was accepted was that there would be a standardized payment that would be ruled out at the same time as the inquiry and then after the inquiry process is completed there would be a second stage which would be an individualized um payment um so that would be consulted on um provision for that will be made in terms of the initial legislation with the aim of rolling out the standardized payment at the the same time as the public inquiry is established and carries out its work thank you col n mallister thank you Deputy speaker and I want to thank the first and Deputy first Minister for bringing the statement and I’m sure that it will bring some relief that they were well on on the road road to truth and accountability for victims and one of the core questions you outlined is what happened and last week at to committee we heard about the deaths of infants from mother and baby homes in Belfast that are buried at miltown Cemetery where their remains are potentially destroyed so what will the first and Deputy first Minister be doing to allow the public inquiry to ensure that the remains can be left in peace thank the member for the question and absolutely the protection of all unmarked Graves and cemeteries is of utmost importance and um we’ve only seen how across the island of Ireland how that um has been exposed as as something that’s been very real and live to us happened um in our I think our shameful past in terms of how women have been failed um on this island so I think that the protection of the unmarked Graves and cemeteries um has to be U part and partial of what we’re doing the powers and duties in relation to burials mainly are the responsibility under the department of communities however this is proposed as an area um of Investigation for th recovery which again hopefully is a moment of progress and the truth recovery inquiry will have the poers to inquire how the institutions operated including any burials of persons with institutional links in unmarked Graves so I think that’s a very clear um commitment in in terms of a strength of what the inquiry can do itself um we’re also very aware of a specific concern and our officials remain in contact with colleagues in the department of communities and the dasis in terms of um this matter to establish the facts in relation to the issue so um any evidence of any such issues um should always be brought forward to the trace recovery inp pendent panel or the psna um if information becomes available to investigate any allegations of criminality if there’s any specific concerns to be raised thank you har Harvey thank you Madame speaker can the deputy first Minister Maybe please detail what advertising and publicity will be put in place for this consultation thank you thaty first Minister thank you and thank the member for his question uh yes indeed it’s it’s critically important that all of those impacted um are aware that this process is ongoing and have the opportunity both to feed into the consultation process but also then to the inquiry and to get access to the redress scheme that will come out of this as well so during the course of the consultation process we are intending to hold um eight face-to-face meetings and those will happen throughout Northern Ireland there will also be uh five online uh meetings the first one of those will be kicking off on the 9th of uh July um there will be uh the consultation will be available in a number of different formats there’s also a tele a telephone line uh for those who want to raise issues about the type of format that they need in order to maximize um the access to that we will also be running a series of newspaper um advertisements and also using existing channels for example the mailing list that we currently have through the victims and survivors uh Service uh but also other contacts that we have um for a range of organizations working with victims and survivors so we are really really ke and we would appeal to everybody please do make yourself known there is support there and we really do want to hear from you in this process thank you I call Phil mations in the truth recovery design panels report was agreed nearly 3 years ago uh first Minister you said that all victims and survivors who were so grievously failed and have lived for many years with the unimaginable pain and Trauma inflicted on them and that their needs are our absolute priority uh will the first Minister confirm this is still her position first Minister um yes absolutely um I I believe that this is a source of Shame for us as a society that women were so horribly failed um the historic treatment um and discrimination against women and girls is alive for us all to say but this is our opportunity as this assembly this executive to actually try to uh bring some healing um to all those women and victims and survivors that were impacted by this experience and that’s why it’s important that we get this work right and that we’re sensitive about how uh we work our way through it and that we are as inclusive as we possibly can and we reach out as far as we possibly can and that we listen wholeheartedly to the views of the victims and survivors because this is about them we have a chance to try to fix not to fix but to to try to bring some uh light to what happened to them to their journey and you know we can only be say to to all the victims and survivors that we’re so thankful for your Tess campaigning for not giving up that despite all your setbacks down through um many decades that you have continued on this path and we’re now walking this journey with you as we move through into the consultation and into the the public inquiry to we get to the bottom of how these things were allowed to happen that lessons are learned and that we provide the full facts and information um for the victims and Survivor I believe this is um uh one of the most important areas of work that this executive and assembly um are engaged in in in our um tenure in this mandate we must get this right for victims and survivors they have been failed at every turn and I know that we’re all determined to do so thank you um that concludes questions on the statement if members would take their e we’re running a bit ahead so we’re just trying to ensure that the minister for agriculture environment rural Affairs is here to make a statement so just take your ra please okay members if everybody could get settled thank you so I’ve received notice from the minister of Agriculture environment and Rural Affairs that he wishes to make a statement as with the previous statement before I call a minister can I just remind members that they must be concise and asking their question and it’s not an opportunity for long introductions so without further Ado I call the minister to move statement with your permission uh Madam principal Deputy speaker I wish to make a statement in compliance with Section 52 of the northern IR Act 1988 regarding the 24th North sou ministerial Council environment meeting which was held in the nsmc joint secretary at offices Arma on Monday the 10th of June 2024 Junior Minister Ashley ring M and Junior Minister Pam Cameron MLA and I represented the northern AR executive at the meeting and want to thank them for coming along at with with myself the Irish government was represented by Aon Ryan T Minister for the environment climate and Communications and Malcolm Nunan T minister of State at the Department of Housing local government and Heritage Minister Ryan TD uh chaired the meeting this statement has been agreed with Junior Minister Riley and Junior Minister Cameron and I’m making it um on mine and their also behalf it was a very positive meeting and a lot of progress was made I’ll now take each paper in order that it was discussed the nsmc noted that officials from the Department of Agriculture environment and Rural Affairs the department of environment climate and Communications and the department for housing local government and Heritage have reviewed the work program of the nsmc environment sector ministers noted that both jurisdictions placed a strong uh focus on efforts to tackle the challenges surrounding climate change biodiversity loss and pollution and agreed a revised work program for the environment sector in terms of climate and biodiversity ministers were invited to welcome the presentation on climate change and biodiversity a shared Island approach to climate and biodiversity research which highlights the potential benefits of a collaborative approach to environmental challenges and particularly in respect of climate change and biodiversity through the themes of shared ambition shared experience and shared opportunities and challenges in terms of research funding opportunities the nsmc welcomed the ongoing collaboration and continued delivery of environmental priorities such as those uh through the peace plus program 2021 to 2027 and the shared Island initiative ministers noted the shared challenges faced in both jurisdictions and recognize that there are opportunities to work together in terms of research to manage and protect the environment through informed evidence-based policy development ministers welcomed the strong links between research bodies and both jurisdictions in the field of Environmental Research and agreed that both administrations will continue to work together to maximize opportunities in terms of Environmental Research including those offered by peace plus Horizon Europe Ireland’s north south research program and the jointly funded research Co centers in terms of air quality the nsmc noted that improving air quality is a key priority for both jurisdictions and acknowledge the progress achieved and the challenges faced by both administrations in improving our quality and in particular strategies initiatives and in collaboration to tackle air pollution on a crossb basis and also ministers agreed to continue collaboration on the key issues affecting air quality such as solid fuels communication and policy alignment in terms of water quality and Waste Water Management the council noted the significant issue of blue green algae and its impacts on water quality safety of water use and the new approaches needed to address its causes and also to to manage monitoring the current position in relation to particular challenges surrounding Lo was highlighted the nsmc noted that departmental officials and wider stakeholders across both jurisdictions are actively sharing knowledge and expertise on water quality issues including through the north south water framework directive coordination group ministers welcome the overall continued high quality of the B and Waters in both jurisdictions and noted the continued engagement between the department for infrastructure Department of Agriculture environment rural Affairs the Department of Housing local government and Heritage Irish water and Northern iron water on exploring opportunities for cooperation including applications to access funding under the eu’s peace plus program the nsmc welcomed the opportunity for cross jurisdictional collaboration in the pilot catchment work plan to be undertaken in Nuri phone Glide and D catchment in terms of the date of the next meeting the council agreed to hold the next meeting in this sector in Autumn 2024 inclosing uh Madam principal Deputy speaker I welcome the reestablishment of the formal nsmc meetings and look forward to working with my current Parts in Ireland in all areas of cooperation in the environment sector I commend the statement to the assembly and welcome any questions thank you thank you Minister okay so there you go I was going to ask us to rise in your place because I don’t know yeah okay so I call py mlon your last count call a mu uh Minister um in regard to paragraphs 11 and um also 14 um that’s about uh the cross jurisdictional between the Republic of Ireland and the the government in the north here on projects in regard to research in particular I refer to paragraph 14 that’s the blue green algae now I know this is a problem which just doesn’t affect l n and that there are number of waterways in in the Republic where the similar problem arises as is there potential there for uh cooperation uh theb or innovate UK has been one of those mentioned but cooperation between both jurisdictions around the science and the remedial work associated with the blue green algae thank you member for his question and there is and there already is work on going in terms of the co- centers for example in terms of that collaboration because it’s absolutely vital that we collaborate in terms of research and science north south east west to bring forward uh potential solutions for this but also understand them the scale of the problem so that we can work together to address it so this is quite key and it’s something I want to work uh on terms of this nsmc meetings and outside that together with my colleagues in the South around these issues because in terms of water quality um we also are very aware that the lock and a catchment area extends Beyond Northern Ireland and there’s a need for cooperation around that that’s something that’s quite high up my agenda thank you call Tom Elliot thank you Deputy speaker and thank the minister for for bringing this forward just wondering if there’s any discussions around the illegal dumping of waste in Northern Ireland that eminates from the Republic of Ireland and for example mubai and I know um is the potential of repatriation of that waste Minister um thank the member for his question and aware of the issues around us there was H wasn’t a substantial discussion in relation to these matters but they’re a matter of concern for me and it’s something I want to pick up with my colleagues over the time ahead there was quite a lot to deal with in this meeting because of the fact we didn’t have n nsmc meetings for a number of years uh and it’s a key issue in terms of waste and the the IL legal trade that occurs around this and the impact it can have North and South so something I want to be working with my colleagues in relation to those matters and I’m happy to also be engag with them as committee chair around these issues okay Minister colak Maier and thank the minister for her statement uh Minister paragraph 12 makes reference to the importance of improving air quality and you’ll be very aware that your department is currently working on the issue of ammonia emissions as a very key life issue was there any discussions uh with your counterparts on an all Island approach to reducing ammonia emissions minister so ammonia emissions from Agriculture and their impacts on protected sites are an issue that is common to both jurisdictions and the peace plus program program may present an opportunity to share knowledge and experience in this area additional aspect of ammonia emissions is their potential impact on human health through the formation of thine particles this hope that research commissioned under peace plus could help to provide more certainty in this area call John blur or sorry [Music] sorry Deputy speaker uh paragraph 12 uh in the relation to improving a quality it is said in the SAR that the acknowledge progress achieved could the minister give us an update on what progress has been achieved Minister um thank you member for his question on the issue of where quality is something that’s important to me uh I’m currently engaging with officials in terms of our own air quality strategy here in Northern Ireland I want to get that finalized and be able to progress in relation to that and it’s one of the issues that officials have been working on alongside the issues around water quality and so resources are a challeng in my department but it’s something we’re working through and uh something I’ve been uh actually reading through last night in terms of responses to the consultation around this U the nsmc meeting did uh have a significant discussion around air quality because the challenges that we have are North and South air quality isn’t something that uh stop stops at the border it’s something that we need to deal with uh and particularly in terms of the actions that the South have take in relation to burning of fuel we were able to discuss those issues that’s something obviously I have to work with my colleagues in communities and also economy and that’s been fruitful discussions to date and something I want to progress forward because we do need to take action on our quality because has a real impact Upon Our uh humans here in Northern irland and their health thank you John blur thank you principal Deputy speaker and I thank the minister for his answers uh so far can I ask principal Deputy speaker if the minister could give us some more information what was discussed in relation to Lo um given the sheer scale of the Lo catchment area and the transboundary nature of the issues surrounding them Minister um thank the member for his uh question the issue of L and water quality was a matter that was discussed um at the meeting and in some depth uh because these are challenges that have affected Us North South and we were looking at the interventions that have taken place in the South and also issues in terms of uh research um as part of that um the uh updated uh members of the at the nsmc in terms of efforts that have been progressing to H finalize and publish the loch report and action plan uh I’m very disappointed that it looks unlikely that there will be an executive meeting this Thursday to agree that report and action plan um time is not on our side in relation to this and as a result I’ll be writing to the first and Deputy first Minister uh requesting that use of urgent procedure to approve the report and action plan if the executive meeting does not occur this week and if urgent proced procedure is not granted I will have to consider my options in relation to this because the issue associated with blue green alate Lo now is a matter of extreme concern for me this is a real problem we need to act in relation to it and I will have to explore every way that my department can take the actions that are necessary before this I also want to think it’s important that I take this opportunity to outline in terms of the approach that we should be taking around us and I’ve said this in the chamber previously it’s based upon four pillars it’s based upon education investment and incentify but also regulation and enforcement and it’s a very balanced approach and it’s approach that I feel that we should take forward in relation to this we all can be part of the solution in relation to this but we need to take action in regards to this issue and as hopefully the executive will meet this this week uh if it doesn’t hopefully exe urgent approval will be given to the uh Rock report and action plan because the executive needs to step up and back me in terms of the actions I need to take in this issue call nck Bren pra and just to follow on from that there it’s great to hear that it was discussed and still um a priority within uh the north south ministerial Council but Minister you’ll also be aware that over the weekend um Mr Nicholas Ashley Cooper had made comments about the ownership of the lock and um you know his intention to move past the over transfer into communities hands um he also commented how there was actually no body set up that to take on the lock um at this stage does the minister have any intention of um discussing this here with stakeholders and councils and not their involvement in creating such a body that could take over the ownership of the lock Minister thank you member for her question and I’m very aware of the public discourse in relation to ownership of the bed and soil and what our sharrey has said in recent days and uh I am reaching out to him to seek a meeting to further discuss those issues and uh I’m conscious uh of the the this issue um I’m conscious of the importance for many people my own preference is in terms of community ownership around this issue I’m also aware that lock and I partnership are undertaking an initiative in terms of future management and ownership of the lock and I intend to engage in relation to that and the lock now report an action plan uh its real primary focus is upon water quality issues in the lock um so in terms of ownership of the bed and soil that is not largely within the scope of the report um but there is issues that uh we will address as part of the report particular as part of that um I’m taking forward an independent scientific review in terms of the impact of sand reg I think it’s important we do that so let’s view this as a um lots of opportunities for Action uh I look forward to Eng engaging with our shury in relation to this issue but most importantly on the here and now we need to get the loch report and action plan agreed let’s get it published let’s give people hope that we can deliver for the citizens of Northern Ireland and we can turn the situation around I’m very aware of the scenes that are been reported today in terms of blue green Al and lo n this assembly and executiv has been reestablished this use these institutions to deliver good for the people of Northern Ireland thank you Minister I call on Tennison thank you principal Deputy speaker and thank you Minister for your answers Minister every party in this chamber has called for a plan to tackle the issues in L indeed it appeared in the dup’s westmin manifesto launched yesterday Minister can I ask you for your assessment as to who is responsible for blocking progress on a Lo plan Minister uh so I brought the Lo report and action plan to the last meeting of the executive and it was discussed at that uh I was given some feedback around that and one of the ones was further engagement with stakeholders and I did that last Wednesday I met with the northern IR environment link the Lo n partnership at the ustra Farmers Union and naapa and engag with them and received Fe feedback in relation to that I will be updating the report and issuing that hopefully today to Executive colleagues so hopefully we can get that agree at the meeting on Thursday because it’s really really important that we take action and I see lots of parties have came forward and said we need to take action in relation to Loch and I’m up for doing that and I’m up for working with people to deliver for that but what I’m not going to do is shy away from difficult decisions because what I’m going to do is confront the difficult decisions that we need to take in relation to this because that’s what we need to do in order to address the issues associated with water quality so the Lo report and action plan is balanced it’s focused upon the issues such as was outlined in terms of Education investment incentiv but it also does talk about regulation and enforcement and it’s important that we do that because we have to take a balanced approach to these issues so let’s hopefully everyone can come together let’s have an executive meeting on Thursday let’s get the report an action plan agreed let’s work together as an executive and deliver for the citizens of Northern Ireland because that’s what these people want and I understand that people may have concerns in relation to the way forward and I’m happy to engage with people and as I have did last week in relation to this but together we can turn the situation around and can engage and we can match Manifesto promises with actual delivery you’re here D fori principal Deputy speaker and I thank the minister for his answers so far um I want to speak to paragraph 15 about um the continued high quality be and water commitment and I welcome the inclusion of this but representing South down Coastal area coming into the summer there are recurring issues with the bething waters particularly around Newcastle and I know these issues reach into to Northtown also so I would ask um if the minister could clarify what opportunities were discussed as to address and beIN Waters and how that would affect us here in particular the County Down Coast Minister um thank the member for a question on the issue of faith and water quality is something close to my own heart because it’s ini in SS in North down um what’s happened down south there’s been a number of initiatives targeting areas of per water quality to be able to turn that around um one of them is is an acronym and ol for that it’s the ASAP initiative where it’s the engaging a on to one in terms of the agriculture Community that’s one of the discussions that we happening in the meeting and I think there’s real benefits for the similar scheme we have here in uh Northern Ireland which is in the upper band catchment area in terms of that one toone engagement which led by the rivers trust to expand that uh to other areas of Northern Ireland now what I need is funding to be able to do that and I’ll be engaging with the Finance Minister around that because that’s one key way we can improve ba and water qualities in terms of Engagement with people and can I just be clear around this folks my heart and my soul is in terms of education and incentiv foration it is much better that the problem doesn’t occur in the first place and that we don’t have to resort to enforcement that’s not where I want to go okay and can I say and it’s really really important I put this on the record the overwhelmed majority of farmers are good custodians of the countryside they’re fantastic custodians of the countryside we’d be lost without them okay but if people are breaking the law then it’s important that we take enforcement action in relation to that and that’s why I’m saying a b about baned approach but I really want to do that onetoone engagement with people and bring people with us and that’s where I’m really my focus is in relation to this the other side to ba and water quality is Wastewater infrastructure and ultimately I’m going to stand here as a minister and I’m going to make a bid for funding for another department John O and the department of infrastructure needs more funding for Wastewater infrastructure so we can invest in that infrastructure to improve water quality and I will stand with John at every opportunity to make that case because that’s how we’re going to turn the situation around and that’s where I genuinely believe that we can work together together to turn this around I’ve seen what’s happened in the South I’m going to go down south and actually see some of that initiatives and what they’re doing around us because by practical interventions are working together we can turn the situation around and give people a bit of Hope and move on from a Blame Game to Solutions thank you master I call Matthew to thank you uh principal Deputy speaker uh Minister I welcome your robustness in relation to Lo and other matters in the days after this meeting the EU passed its nature restoration law we still don’t have one in Northern irand but in the South they’ve signed up to those targets would you agree with support and work to implement alignment of at least alignment of those targets north to south we know in terms of biodiversity loss we are effectively in exactly the same place across Ireland would you support those targets at least those targets going into law here manister sir so I think there is real benefits of enshrining into law stat Targets in terms of nature restoration ultimately what I have to do is work within what I have is a reduce mandate and reduce resources in terms of that legislation and also get agreement from executive colleagues I know there’s discussion in terms of private members Bill and intended an event recently in relation to that matter um but anything we can do to protect our environment I’m up for doing that but I have to work within what is a tight budget with tight resources I’ve already outlined that have the same officials who are dealing with lock now who are also deal with air quality but also a reduced mandate and the reduced mandate is the consequence of this place not sitting we’ve lost two years I’ve only really got three left uh from that mandate that’s why we also need reform of these institutions we need to reform these institutions so we can have institutions that also when they’re back they operate and deliver for people and we don’t have the politics of veto and blocking things so that ends questions to the minister on this statement I’ve received notice from the minister for agriculture environment rural Affairs that he wishes to make another statement um and before I call the minister can I just ask people to continually raise in their seate until we get them sorted okay minister so um with your permission Madame principal Deputy speaker in compliance with Section 52 of the Norther AR act I wish to make a statement about the 31st meeting of the Norths South ministerial Council in the aquaculture and Marine sector which was held on Monday the 10th of June the executive was represented by Junior Minister Cameron and Junior Minister Riley as a company of ministers and me as lead Minister and chair of the meeting the Irish government was represented by Minister Ryan for the Department of environment climate and Communications this statement has been agreed with Junior ministers Cameron and Riley and I’m making it on behalf of all of us and I want to say again that thanks for them to come into the meeting and for working together in relation to these issues and other matters it’s a joint Endeavor uh as uh as everyone knows nsmc welcomed the report of the activities of the locks agency including the ongoing conservation and protection efforts and the investment in the agency’s scientific fisheries management program including the introduction of new Technologies such as artificial intelligence ministers noted the part in particular the Fisheries Improvement projects that help to address climate change and biodiversity laws they successfully delivered catchment care and swell projects and the wide range of Environmental Education Outreach programs and the pioneering work undertaken in the sea monitor project to improve Marine research and produce the first Atlantic salmon management plan for the island of Ireland the C approved locks agency business plans budgets and cash grants for 2022 2023 and 2024 as well as the locks agency three-year corporate plan these approvals regularized spend for plans which were enabled to be approved in the absence of the nsmc the nsmc noted all plans were completed in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Finance and the department of public expenditure NDP delivery and reform and they have been agreed by sponsor departments and finance ministers the council noted locks Agency on a report and accounts for the years 2019 2020 and 2021 and have been laid before the northern assembly and both houses of the arctus the council noted the review of the framework for process and locks agency emergency regulations and agreed the framework is not required for locks agency to carry out emergency functions the council welcomed the adoption of the science strategy framework which provides research to inform management decisions on the management and conservation of samid and other fish STS native oysters and Aquatic ecosystems the nsmc noted the multidisiplinary nature of locks agency scientific delivery and the importance of taking an ecosystem based approach to management of the foil and carlingford attachments ministers agreed that locks agency will provide an update on activity under its science strategy at the next meeting in this sector the lock agency’s climate action plan was launched at the meeting the consult noted that the importance of the work of the locks agency in addressing the impacts of climate change on the aquatic systems flora and fauna in the foil and carford catchments the council welcomed lock agency’s contribution to addressing climate change and loss of biodiversity and its commitment to supporting obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both jurisdictions including through the use of naturebas solutions for catchment management the nsmc commended locks Agency for their positive advances and data knowledge and Marine research following the successful completion of the sea monitor project ministers noted the presentation of locks agency participation in international research projects the council welcomed the agency’s continued commitment to Scientific Excellence through research including its work with International Partners on key projects including strategic infrastructure for improved animal tracking in European Seas it’s a Straits project we’re very good at acronyms in this department the Northeast Atlantic tracking Network which is nor track project and the digital twin of the ocean animal track this is dto track project and its work to establish the crossb Marine observation network using acoustic Tory to monitor key marine species finally nsmc agreed to hold its next agriculture Marine meeting late in 20124 thank you madam principal Deputy speaker um Minister just uh obviously we all want want to support you in continuation with your work uh but could you give us an indication please as to who refused to sign off on the executive meeting on Thursday and what reason was given for that Minister I think that would be a matter for the first and Deputy first Minister and what goes on in storman Castle is a matter for them to respond to in relation to that okay I call Tom Elliot principal Deputy speaker uh and thank the minister for for again bringing this to her attention quite a bit of about the locks agency and I know the locks agency had a project that they were working with the um Forest Service on I’m just wondering there seem to be some difficulties with the mapping around the forestry areas and I’m wondering if that has anything to do with the uh the projects that he mentioned in this yeah so I’m aware of the issue that the member has outlined and what I’ll do is I’ll write to him and outline a bit more information in relation to that cuz it is a bit complex in relation to it all and there’s some potentially legal issues around that so if that’s okay and engage with him and we’ll get that letter off this week PA on Murphy prev count coia and I’d like to thank the minister for his statement this morning a minister I note with interest that the locks agency climate action plan was also launched at the meeting has been developed entirely independently by the agency or has it been designed or co-designed um to exist climate targets and action plans north south minister so in terms of the climate action plan the plan sets out clear climate ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030 and to be a net zero and climate resistant agency by 2050 locks agency plans to continue to implement nature based solutions to address the loss of biodiversity including uh the Imp implementation of buffer strips tree planting constructed wetlands and habitat Improvement schemes locks agency launched this plan at our meeting and a numbers outlines a number of initiatives including stuff in relation to buildings and property travel and Fleet uh catchment adaption and biodiversity Supply chains and also people stakeholder and Community I will go back to the member in terms of the engagement that’s taking place around us and what’s planned uh in terms of the time ahead because I think that’s an important question and I give you a answer in relation to that thank you Minister I call down for SE thank you Madame principal Deputy speaker and thank you Minister for your statement and answers so far um I wonder if the minister could advise when does he expect the locks agency annual report and accounts to be laid in the assembly for 2022 and 2023 and is there any issues within that of concern that the minister thinks should be highlighted at this point minister so there was quite a lot of corporate governance matters to be regularized as part of the meeting um and this is what happens when the assembly doesn’t sit and the institutions collaps these things build up and in terms of doing that and that’s why I was quite Keen to come to the assembly after the meeting to give an update sometimes there’s a bit of a lag in terms of the meeting and then this update so at the meeting the nsmc approved the lock agency 2024 business plan and Associated budget the nsmc also approved the 2023 to 25 corporate plan the 2023 business plan and the 2022 business plan and the locks agency annual report on accounts for 2019 2020 and 2021 were noted in terms of the other matters that the members outlined I will make those inquiries and then come back to to her because it’s important that I’m able to give you a full response in relation to that thank you Minister I call John blur thank you principal Deputy speaker and can I start by thanking the minister for the statement and all involved in this agency work on aquaculture and uh Marine directly related to that principal Deputy speaker can I ask the minister if there’s any update available on the recent fish kill in the river R minister so this is a an issue of concern and obviously was reported in the media I will go back to the member with the further information in relation to the river row and the investigations are ongoing in relation to that but this was yet another fish kill that occurred here in Northern Ireland and there’s been too many of those um not just in recent years but also in recent weeks and that’s why we need to be able to take a real real clear approach to the issue of water quality and that’s why it’s the lock now report and action plan is absolutely key in relation to this because it’s about that balanced approach about in terms of that education and incen ification but also in terms of Regulation and enforcement and uh this is something that can be used as a model for other areas in terms of rivers lakes and locks in Northern Ireland that are affective by water quality issues so it’s absolutely fundamental what I would say people in terms of fish kills to say as Minister I would urge people if they become aware of any of this to urgently report it to the northern IR environment agency and their pollution hotline because it’s important these issues are investigated I also would say in terms of my department and the resources that I’ve been put an in towards enforcement one of the reasons behind that is that investigating these issues is extremely resource intensive in order to be able to get a level of evidence which would then be satisfying in terms of PPS bringing forward a prosecution so that’s why we need to have resource to be able to do the investigations uh around this and it’s absolutely key then people report it and then hopefully we can have the resources to investigate this but there’s too many polition instance and what we need to do is as an assembly as an executive and a society is to make sure we have a zero tolerance approach towards polition but also in terms of encouraging people to report it so we can investigate it call Dr Maier good um the minister will be aware that look Lu Lu luck foil is still a disputed territory and I know from uh previous discussions that this was inhibit in Lo fulfilling its full uh range of functions and no be beyond the ministers REM to sort out a territorial dispute but is he aware of any conversations around this and any conversations with lock agency about them been able to fulfill their full remit as regards their preservation and protection and promotion of Lo oil Minister and uh thankly member for his question this was one of the issues I was briefed about in the first weeks of coming in and there’s lots of things in this department I have to deal deal with including the issues arising from partition in 1921 uh and I don’t know whether I’ve got an immediate solution uh for that matter other people may say they do uh but this is an issue that has been ongoing in relation um to the locks agency and what is essentially the unregulated oyster farming in lock foil which is inextricably L linked to the jurisdictional issue which is a reserved matter uh and not within the competence of my department nor within the northern irand assembly I’m aware of the concerns around this officials from my department met with a foreign Commonwealth and development office in October 2023 to discuss the challenges I understand that discussions between the foreign Commonwealth and development office in London and the department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland have recently recomened on a draft management agreement which would enable authorities to exercise criminal and Regulatory discussion of the bed of lock foil these discussions are positive but progress needs to be made soon to prevent further impacts on the environment and to enable the locks agency to regulate agriculture in lock foil so um if there in terms of any new government that comes in on the 5th of July there something I’ll be picking up with them in terms of focused around Solutions in relation to the issu because it’s been going on for quite a while but I do believe that there is Solutions um that are potentially within this but there are a reserved matter call Matthew principal Deputy speaker interesting to hear the minister is looking for solutions to partition I’m happy I have one actually that I can sit down and chat to him about anytime his colleagues in the alliance party they want to have a conversation with me I I think I think I can think of one off the top of my head but in any case in really it’s exactly you don’t even need to go to a fun fair to hear about it um uh I did want to ask about uh about the locks agency in relation to Loch uh does he think the uh the locks agency should take responsibility for that should be it’s its responsibility stat respons should be broaden to include uh Loch in terms of aligning all of the things that I know he wants to make happen in terms of Loch minister so I’m here to answer questions in terms of agricultureal environment and Rural Affairs that’s for outside the chamber in terms of the other matters um just in terms of this issue so uh back when these institutions were established in 1998 in terms of a body which had oversight in terms of Lock N I think it was an oversight that that wasn’t uh covered as part of that the issue in terms of navigation isn’t really one of the key issues in terms of lock night report but I do get that and it’s something I want to engage with colleagues over the time ahead I think my immediate Focus let be clear is in terms of the water quality issues associate with Lo and taking immediate actions around that but I do get the issue that it’s rather unusual that Lo has been covered in terms of a body such as whether it was the lock agency or water Ireland or whatever else and that’s something obiously needs to be considered so it’s a legitimate point to to make so I conclude questions on the statement um the next item of business is a motion to approve a start V clerk two please read the motion that the draft working time Amendment regulations Northern Ireland 2024 be approved thank you I call on the minister for the economy to move the motion moved last the business committee has agreed that there should be no time limit on this debate and I call on the minister to open the debate on the motion Minister today I’m seeking the assembly’s approval of the draft working time Amendment regulations Northern Ireland 2024 all members will be aware that workers rights are at the Forefront of my economic vision and I will continue to work towards improving these throughout this mandate the retained EU law revocation and Reform Act 2023 revoked aspects of retained EU law from the 1st of January 2024 together with the principle of supremacy of EU law and some other legal Concepts as a result the department identified that certain commonly accepted principles relating to annual leave and pay could be at risk of misinterpretation uh if action was not taken to provide domestic legal Clarity some of our annual leave rights are EU derived and as such could be restated using the powers in the re act and this was done by my department prior to the 1st of January 2024 including the issues of maternity and parental leave some other leave rights are domestically derived and require statut rule to be affirmed by this assembly to be restated and that’s what I’m seeking to do today the draft working time Amendment regulations Northern IR in 2024 seek to provide Clarity in our legislation and restate certain statutory rights in relation to Shared parental parental bement adoption and paternity leave the purpose of the regulations is to remove any potential uncertainty in law about previously agreed and accepted annual leave entitlements following our exit from the EU this statutary rule amends regulations 2 and 17 of the working time regulations Northern Ireland 2016 the amendment to regulation 2 provides clarification that the definition of statut leave within those regulations is the same as that Within part nine of the employment rights Northern IR order 1996 the amendment to regulation 17 will provide the compensation related to an entitlement to leave will cover unused leave at the point that a workers’s employment is terminated if the worker is entitled to carry over that unused leave into the next immediate leave year by virtue of a relevant agreement the draft working time Amendment regulations Northern Ireland 2024 will provide legal certainty regarding leave entitlements and I look forward to the assembly support cor maret ARA I call CH mclin thank you principal Deputy speaker AR Rises speak very briefly on behalf of the committee for the economy as the minister has indicated these regulations address problems arising from the retained EU law re uh revocation and Reform Act 2023 the ACT may have removed certain interpretive effects creating a risk that the case law defining what should be included in normal remuneration would fall away the statute rule consequently amends the working time regulations Northern Ireland 2016 to clarify what is meant by maternity leave adoption leave share parental leave parental leave and paternity leave the rule also clarifies the compensation related to the an entitlement to leave will cover unused leave uh at the point that a worker’s employment is terminated in certain circumstances the committee considered the rule um on the 15th of May 2024 and later noted that the examiner of Statute rules had no concerns in respect of the regulations the committee indicated that it was content for the regulations to be affirmed by the assembly thank you principal Deputy speaker gam or D Carney thank you Madame principal Deputy speaker I stand in support of this amendment to protect the rights of workers and I thank the economy Minister Conor Murphy for progressing this important work this amendment protects workers across the north from the employment insecurity creative by brexit it specifically protects workers rights to pay on leave to the rate to carry over annual leave and maternity and paternity leave adoption leave as well as compensation related to any entitlement for annual leave there are many benefits for both the employer and the employee from the protection of workers right to to PID leave in the case of the of an employer it helps in the retention of particular Knowledge and Skills and it also promotes higher levels of productivity within the workforce higher productivity contributes to a stronger and more vibrant economy that objection that objective is at the heart of Minister Connor Murphy’s agenda for economic growth and prosperity across the North and in context of a functional all Ireland economy these protections are of of particular importance to employers and their families they enable employees to address important Family Matters with ease in addition the safeguards helps employees to enjoy their work and contribute to the employe sense of well-being happy workers are productive workers and our economy is stronger and fur when when workers rates are properly protected the minister of economy has set out his ambition to create good jobs and to build an economy here in the North which capitalizes on the potential of the Windsor framework an integral part of any good jobs program must be the full protection of workers rights good pay job security and guaranteed Collective uh bargain rates these are essential to sustaining healthy and pro pro prosperous families in a vibrant economy I highly commend the the minister for his attention to these priorities thank you and I have no other members who wish to speak so I’m going to call on the minister for the economy to conclude on the debate Mar last and cor briefly uh just to thank uh the GL for speaking AUST Kerney for his contribution as well uh the as I said at the outset the working time Amendment regulations Northern irand 2024 will bring Clarity will clarify statutory rights in relation to leave and I command the motion to the house so the question is that the draft work and time Amendment regulations Northern Ireland 2024 be approved all those in favor say I cont have any no the eyes have it the eyes have it the next item of business is a motion to approve a staty rule clerk would you please read the motion that the draft proceeds of crime act 2002 search recovery of crypto assets and investigations codes of practice order Northern Ireland 2024 be approved thank you I call on the minister for justice to move the motion beg to move G uh so the business committee has agreed that there should be no time limit on this debate and I call on the minister to open the debate on the motion Minister uh thank you Madame principal Deputy speaker the purpose of the order before the assembly today is to bring into operation three codes of practice for the use of pars under the proceeds of crime act 2002 as amended by the economic crime and corporate transparency act 2023 by way of background the proceeds of crime act TW uh 2002 which is other wise known as POA is a UK wide act designed to provide law enforcement partners with tools to recover the proceeds of crime and deny criminals the opportunity to accumulate assets secured by illegal means POA contains wide range of Provisions which deal with amongst other things cash seizure forfeit forfeiture asset freezing the disclosure of information by financial institutions during investigations and requirements on professionals within the regulated Industries to submit suspicious activity reports since its Inception POA has proven to be an integral part of the response to organized criminality which his members will know is driven by sheer grade and a disregard for the harmful impact that crime has on our society the POA regime has been further enhanced by the economic crime and corporate transparency act 2023 giving law enforcement Partners new powers to seize crypto assets when investigating the proceeds of crime crypto assets are digital assets that can be transferred stored or traded electronically they exist electronically and use a peer-to peer system perhaps the most commonly known are those such as Bitcoin crypto assets are in increasingly being used by criminals to move and launder the profits of various crimes including drugs fraud and moneya laundering members are invited to improve the three codes of practice which give guidance to officers in Northern Ireland exercising po of functions following commencement of the relevant Provisions relating to crypto assets these officers are primarily psni officers and accredited Financial investigators in psni department for communities and the Northern Ireland environmental agency the designation of the pars is subject to training and accreditation on an ongoing basis taking into account appropriate jurisdictional differences the codes are closely aligned to those prepared by the home office for officers exercising pocka Pars in reserved agencies or on behalf of other bodies in England and Wales two of the codes relate to existing codes which have been subject to minor updates to reflect how the new crypto asset power should be exercised in relation to search seizure and detention as well as investigations one new code advises officers on how to exercise powers in respect of the recovery of crypto assets it has anticipated uh subject of course to the assembly’s approval today that the two revised codes and one new code will take effect on the 17th of July with draft codes of practice having been made made available online since the new crypto assets pars were commenced whilst I don’t propose to go into the full technical detail of each of the codes members may find a brief summary of their content helpful firstly the search Caesar in detention of property Northern Ireland code of practice is issued under section 195t of the 2002 act and provides guidance to constables and accredited Financial investigators on the exercise of pars to search seiz and attain property that may need to satisfy a future confiscation order following conviction secondly the investigation’s Northern Ireland code of practice issued under Section 377 Za of the proceeds of crime act 2002 provides guidance to constables and accredited Financial investigators on the exercise of the investigation powers in pocka and finally the recovery of crypto assets search pows Northern Ireland code of practice a new code of practice issued under Section 303 z25 5 of the proceeds of crime act 20202 uh 2002 this new code provides guidance to constables and accredited Financial investigators on the exercise of pars to search for crypto assets it also provides guidance on applications by officers to judicial officers or senior officers for prior approval to exercise the powers pocket stipulates that the Department of Justice must prepare and publish a draft of any new or advised code of practice my department run an eight week public consultation on the three codes from the 15th of February until the 10th of April 2024 as no adverse impacts and no amendments were suggested there were no material changes to the codes as a result of the consultation setting aside the technical detail it is important to reflect on what these codes help to deliver we know the criminals are motivated by grade and by personal gain removing the profits from their criminal activity reduces incentives and has a disruptive effect on the cycle that sustains serious and organized crime in turn this reduces harm to individuals families and businesses across our communities so it is important to recognize that the pocka regime is an integral part of the overall response to tackling organized criminality in all its forms enhancing the pocka framework is also consistent with what my department and our partners on the organized crime task force seek to achieve under the organized crime strategy for Northern Ireland particularly in respect of pursuing offenders in conclusion these codes are important safeguards which underpin the whole pocka regime and are specifically intended to deal with the new and emerging issue of crypto assets collectively we must ensure that organized criminality is both socially unacceptable and economically unviable I therefore ask the assembly to support the strengthening of the pocka legislation in Northern Ireland today and approve this order we need to send a clear and consistent and Collective message that crime will not pay that we will do everything in our power to ensure that law enforcement agencies have all the powers they need to deny criminals the use of their assets and to recover the proceeds of crime and disrupt and deter criminality I commend this order to the house Minister thank you for opening the debate I now call on the chair of the Justice committee Jan bunting thank you Mr Deputy speaker I welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this motion as chairman of committee for justice and declare that I have an immediate family member who works in the legal profession the committee was first alerted to the Department’s intention to propose this rule at its meeting on the 16th of May and raised no issues with it so doing the committee then considered the draft statutory rule at its meeting of the 30th of May we were advised that the reforms made as a result of this rule will enable officers to seiz crypto assets and other property during the course of an investigation also enable officers to see crypto asset related items and enable the courts to better enforce oned confiscation orders against the defendant’s crypto assets the rule will also bring crypto assets within the scope of civil forfeiture Powers as outlined in part five of the proceeds of crime act 200 2002 and will ensure that forfeiture pows are accompanied by supplementary investigative pows as outlined in part eight of the 2002 act similar to investigatory pows that exist to support the forfeiture of cash listed assets and funds in certain accounts the committee was informed that a public consultation on the changes was conducted between February 2024 and April 2024 and that only one response was received which did not contain substantive comments furthermore the committee was notified that equivalent codes of practice to those being introduced through this rule are in place in England Scotland and Wales and that because the current legislation applies UK wide to ensure consistency of approach and language across jurisdictions the department closely followed the codes for England and Wales with appropriate adaptations at that same meeting of the 30th of May the committee for justice formally agreed to recommend that the rule be approved by the assembly subject to the report from The Examiner statutory rules the examiner subsequently reported on this Rule and her report published on the 4th of June 2024 and raised no concerns regarding its technical aspects on behalf of the the committee for justice I therefore support the motion before us today now turning to the views of the democratic unionist party our position is reflected in that of the committee it is right that where assets including crypto assets have potentially been acquired through crime that they are seized until such times as this is determined or otherwise and then any ill gotten gains forfeited that said where assets are seized investigation should be processed as quickly as possible so that there is no reason for the money to be retained and that it is also returned without delay of course crime should not pay and any sanction should serve as a deterrent hitting such criminals in their pockets is certainly a worthy and valuable part of that and as the cyber world and that of crypto expands so must the instruments and Par to detect and address criminality within that Arena we support the ru thank you thank you I call Matthew to Mr Deputy speaker I just rise to speak briefly on behalf of the opposition to say we support the order and welcome the fact uh that it is being um brought forward clearly it is important uh that criminal power that the powers the investigatory powers of the police reflect uh the changing technological landscape the fact that it is clear there’s clear evidence um of the increased use of crypto assets um by criminals here in terms of holding their assets so it is welcome and right that this updated vision and code is being brought forward by the minister welcome the fact that it’s happened speedily and indeed it illustrates the importance of having a devolved legislature and Minister serving who can bring forward uh necessary um either legislation or uh secondary legislation or codes Under legislation as this is can I just ask a couple if the minister in rapping um could just uh um uh update us on a couple of things section seven of the updated order um makes clear that if an officer who fails to comply with this code isn’t going to be held legally responsible which is clearly a reflection of the fact that it isn’t a legally binding or justiciable code in that sense but it would just be helpful for the minister to remind us um what the um what penalties there are uh or or or how it would be viewed if a if a an officer uh doesn’t abide by this code but clearly it is a code it’s not um it’s not criminal law um and and and that’s fair enough um secondly if the ministry does have any broad indication of um either specific examples or in a broader sense what the prevalence of crypto assets being used uh in terms of uh criminals and which spe if there’s any specific profile of L criminals in Northern Ireland who are making use of these crypto assets uh but other than that the opposition is of course happy to uh support this proceeding and we very much welcome the fact that the minister has brought it forward thank you very much thank you I call dri hary I rise again as well like everybody else just to support this rule there was unanimous um support for this at the committee obviously the rule does revise two of the codes and it adds an additional code AS was said earlier in terms of the evolution of Technology we need to make sure um that we’re up to date with that in terms of our uh justice system it also allows obviously for the assets to be seized during the course of an investigation and enables uh the courts to better enforce oned confiscation orders against defendants um regarding those crypto assets as well so again I just rise on behalf of shen to support this rule thank you I call Stewart Dixon and Deputy speaker um and I again as a just a spokesperson for the alliance party uh rise to not only support the minister in the introduction of this particular statute rule but applaud her and the department in wishing to keep ahead with this type of legislation these items are important um and while we may look at normal types of criminality here in Northern IR the international and online type of criminality that this will undoubtedly help to uh thwart is vly important for all of us and I commend the regulations to the house thank you and thank all members who have spoken I I call on the minister conclude and to conclude and wind up on the debate on the motion Minister uh thank you uh Mr Deputy speaker and I want to put on record um my thanks to all members um for this positive debate and the contributions that they have have made I also want to place on record thanks to the chair of the committee for her remarks today and also the vice chair of the committee um and put on record my appreciation um for the scrutiny applied by the committee on these issues um in response to the question that was raised with respect to the safeguards for the exercise of Poa pows POA contains a wide range of very important Tools in terms of being able to tackle um criminal finances and those search powers and investigation powers are as is acknowledged in the debate um invasive in terms of an individual’s privacy so agencies um obviously have to have oversight applied um when they use those the exercise of pows by the psni is subject to the usual oversight um of the policing board however um in addition to the codes of practice which provide an additional L of protection to the public um there is judicial oversight um of use of those codes organized crime is not victimless and is not conducted in a vacuum its detrimental impact can be seen and felt within our communities where it causes real harm and wrecks lives and livelihoods it also diverts money away from the public services that we need to use on a day-to-day basis organized crime is completely and utterly unacceptable and we want to do all that we can to stop it law enforcement Partners in the organized crime task force are committed to tackling organized criminality in all its forms removing the proceeds of crime is an important part of our combined efforts and investigating and removing criminal assets has a powerful disruptive effect on organized criminals can impact on their so-called status and can cause problems between a CRI between criminal groups and restricts their ability to fund further criminality whilst the use of crypto assets um in the Northern Ireland context is assessed still um be not um as prevalent as in other parts it is nevertheless a growing area of concern for the PSN and for other investigatory um bodies and therefore it’s important that we keep Pace with ch and stay ahead of those criminals who are very agile in how they change their modes of operation um in terms of trying to avade scrutiny and evade detection the order debated today ensures Northern Ireland officers with functions under the proceeds of crime act can exercise their pows underpin by up-to-date and effective Guidance the order also ensures that safeguards are in place for those who may be the subject of a pocka related investigation and therefore I would commend the order and ask that the assembly would accept it um and approve the motion before the house today thank you thank you Minister for that conclusion members the question is that the draft proceeds of crime act 2002 search recovery of crypto assets and investigations codes of practice order Northern Ireland 20124 be approved all those in favor say I country no the eyes have it the eyes have it numbers just take your ra for a moment before we move on to the next item on members the next item in the order paper is the second stage of the child support enforcement bill I call the minister for communities to move thank you Minister second stage of the uh Child Support Enforcement bill has been moved in accordance with convention the business committee has not allocated any time limits on this debate I call on the minister for communities to open the debate on the bill thank you uh Mr Deputy speaker uh the child support enforcement Bill presented before the assembly today provides for the introduction of administrative liability orders to replace the existing court-based liability order process used by the child maintenance service the provisions contained in this bill will enable the child maintenance service to make an administrative liability order without requiring an application to the Magistrate Court the policy change from court-based to administrative liability orders will reduce the time it takes for the child maintenance service to initiate its strongest enforcement pows from on average 22 weeks uh to potentially at just 6 weeks the Bill’s overarching policy is aimed at improving the enforcement process by making it more straightforward and faster to recover arear from non-paying parents on a technical level the bill repeals articles within the child support Northern Ireland order 1991 which requires that the child maintenance service will apply to the court to obtain a liability order the bill further paves the way for introducing administrative liability orders by making amendments to uncommenced pows within the child maintenance act Norland Ireland 2008 those amended Powers once commenced allow the child maintenance service to make a liability order administratively moving on now to some of the more technical aspects associated with making a bill I can confirm that an equality impact assessment has been undertaken that assessment examined the Bill’s proposals and the context of the promotion of equality of opportunity and good relations as required by section 75 of the Northern Ireland act 1998 and no adverse impacts were identified a regulatory impact assessment has not been carried out in respect of the bill the bill itself will not impose any costs on businesses or employees turning now to the Clauses and schedule contained within the bill which is relatively short containing just two short Clauses and one schedule Clause one with regards to making and varying liability or orders and appealing against liability orders outlines the Amendments contained within the schedule Clause one also identifies the child support Northern Ireland order 1991 and the child maintenance act Northern Ireland 2008 Clause two provides for the commencement of provisions and the short title of the bill the schedule contains Provisions which amend uncommenced articles 32m and 32m of the child support Northern Ireland order 1991 to alter the B bis on which an administrative liability orderers made allow regulations under article 32n to make provision about variation of liability orders and require regulations under article 32n to make Provisions about appeals whilst also repealing previous changes made by the child meance act Northern Ireland 2008 to the child support Northern Ireland order 1991 with regards to dealing with appeals of liability orders the bill makes provision for Northern Ireland corresponding to provisions of the child Court Enforcement Act 2023 the Act was passed by Parliament and attained Royal Ascent on the 20th of July 20123 if this bill attains Royal Ascent secondary legislation would then be required to implement and commence the proposals of the ACT my department has been working closely with the department for work and pensions the department for justice the Northern Iron courts and tribunal service and the enforcement of judgment’s office on this bill all with a view to developing an appropriate secondary legislation package it is expected that regulations will set out the paying parent right of appeal to a court against a liability order and the period within which the right of appeal may be exercised it’s also expected that the first regulations relating to appeals against liability orders will be subject to the confirmatory procedure thereby ensuring enhanced scrutiny through debate in the assembly I consider it appropriate for these regulations to be subject to the confirmatory resolution procedure to facilitate that level of scrutiny although child support is a devolved matter in General northern Ireland’s child support policy and legislation operate in line with Great Britain and there is in effect a single child maintenance system in line with section 87 of the northern irand act 1998 at this moment in time DWP is developing appropriate regulations with regards to the introduction and rule out of administrative liability orders in Great Britain including Provisions concerning our respondent’s right of appeal it is anticipated that any changes in policy and legislation in Great Britain will at least be considered and potentially adopted here in Northern Ireland subject to the necessary ministerial executive and assembly approvals many child maintenance clients and respondents find themselves changing residence between respective jurisdictions for work or family reasons therefore it’s highly desirable that the same Provisions are in place in Northern Ireland to ensure poity across all jurisdictions in conclusion I believe that the policies contained uh and proposals contained within the bill and its overarch in policy a are something Mr Deputy speaker that we can all support I therefore commend H to the house uh thank you Minister I call on col Gilder new communities to chair of the communities committee um iise as chair of the committee for communities to speak in support of the child support enforcement Bill and to affirm our commitment to conducting thorough and effective scrutiny during the committee stage the committee received a detailed briefing on this bill on the 6th of June 24 from departmental officials this briefing provided committee members with insights into the Bill’s objectives provisions and anticipated impacts the bill is intended to align Child Support Enforcement mechanisms here with those already established in England Scotland and Wales under the Child Support Enforcement Act 2023 it was explained to the committee that this alignment would ensure parity and improve the efficiency of the child maintenance service in securing maintenance for qualifying children rather than repeat the detail of the sections of the bill which the minister has outlined it is clear from the briefings received from officials that the intent of the bill is really to improve outcomes and life chances for children affected by ensuring the child maintenance payment is paid promptly and effectively it will hopefully help to address in some part child poverty by making it easier and quicker to enforce mainten maintenance orders ensuring that financial support reaches children in need without undue delay committee heard that the new system should also allow for more direct interaction between CMS and non-resident parents minimizing delays associated with court processes and facilitating quicker resolutions this streamline process is also expected to increase compliance from non-resident parents during the briefing the committee underlined to officials the importance of continuous engagement with stakeholders including the courts and tribunal services and the Department of Justice to ensure the successful implementation of the bill this collaboration will be important for any future secondary legislation and to address concerns related to appals processes and other operational queries members also sought clarification on how the new administrative orders would reduce the process in time and whether they would have the same legal standing as court orders the Department officials confirmed that the new orders would indeed have equivalent legal status concerns were raised about parents with custody who may have been victims of domestic violence and whether collection Arrangements would ensure adequate protection were necessary the department assured the committee that Pro Department assured the committee that processes are in place to protect parents where needed including the ability to Halt enforcement actions if necessary to ensure their safety the committee also queried the potential resource pressures and the need for staff training the department indicated to us that due to the small number of cases reaching this level significant resource implications were not anticipated and training would be coordinated with the department for work and pensions the child support enforcement Bill represents a positive step forward in ensuring the child maintenance are are collected more efficiently and effectively I am therefore content as chairperson of the committee for communities to confirm that committee is supportive of the principles of the bill and look forward to considering it in further Det during committee stage thank you colum can I call thank you Mr Deputy speaker and uh rather than rehash what the minister has said and the chair of the committee I find myself in a strange position where I agree entirely with the minister Mr Speaker it doesn’t happen often but it’s happened today uh it’s very clear that uh this bill is a step towards a more responsive and effective child maintenance service it is a commitment to the children who depend on timely maintenance payments for their well-being and their future at an alignment that is important and I thank the minister thank you Mr speaker thank you Daniel Minister thank you very much uh Mr uh Deputy speaker and uh I think the limited contributions that we’ve had during this debate are reflective of the um straightforward nature of the bill and the um consensus that exists uh right across the chamber even to the point that myself and Mr mccrossen are in uh agreement um perhaps um we can make a note of that for uh the uh for the history books um but I’m very pleased with the consensus uh that we have and I commend the bill to the house uh the question is at the second stage of the child support enforcement bill will be agreed all those in favor say I any countries the eyes have it the eyes have it that concludes the second stage of the child support enforcement bill the bill stands referred to the committee for communities if we move since everybody’s here we’ll move swiftly on to the next order of business the next item of business is a debate on two motions to approve statutory rules both of which relate to Social Security benefits I will ask the Clark to read the first motion and call on the minister to move it the minister will then be invited to commence the debate on both motions listed on the order paper when all who wish to have speak have done so I shall put the question on the first motion the second motion will then be read into the record and I will call the minister to move it the question will then be put to the motion straight away if that is is clear everybody’s noting I shall proceed Clark please read the first motion that the social security benefits upating order Northern Ireland 2024 be approved thank you I call on the minister communities to move the motion I beg to move thank you the business Community has agreed that there should be no time limit in this debate and I call on the minister to open the debate on the motion thank you Mr Deputy speaker the upating package usually usually increases the rates of Social Security pensions uh benefits and lump sum payments each year in line with inflation uating occurs around the beginning of the tax year and these two rules came into operation from April 24 I’m seeking the assembly’s approval for these two rules which form part um of the main part of the operating package for 2425 the Secretary of State for work and pensions is required to undertake an annual review of the rates of benefits in relation to the general level of prices as most members will be aware my department is only owed to make a corresponding order when the Secretary of State for work and pensions makes an uing order in Britain the growth in CPI is used to determine the amount by which the various rates of benefit should be increased this allows benefit levels to maintain their value against inflation the percentage increase is determined by the CPI rate in the 12 months up to the previous September CPI indicated a positive growth of 6.7% for the period to the end of September 23 for the 24 upgrading package this means that benefits linked to prices have been increased by 6.7% these are generally benefits which contribute towards extra costs arising as a result of disability or health condition NOA attendance allowance disability living allowance and personal Independence payment they also include carage allowance and the additional uh State Pension in addition to increasing certain benefits in line with the increase in prices the commitment to Triple lock continues to apply to the basic state pension and the new state pension these pension payments are increased in line with the highest of the growth and earnings the growth in prices or 2.5% the growth in earnings is measured by the increase in average weekly earnings for the quarter ending in the previous July the UK government’s commitment to the triple lock for the basic state pension and the new state pension means that for 2425 these will be upgrated by 8.5% where the Secretary of State for working pensions has discretion to increase other rates of benefits for example working age benefits these have traditionally been upgraded by the growth in prices for 2425 the personal standard allowances of Universal Credit Income Support housing benefit job Seekers allowance and employment and support allowance will also be upgraded by 6.7% as well income related uh uh benefits and the Savings Credit maximum amount in pension credit uh along with with statutary payments such as statutary sick pay the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit will increase by 88.5% in line with State Pension as I stated earlier when the uh Secretary of State for working pensions makes an upgrading order in Britain my department is inow to make a corresponding order for Northern Ireland my department has no power to increase the amounts of benefit by a different or greater amount than in the annual upating order the upgrading order is the main statutary rule to provide for the increase in benefit rates however some technical Provisions in relation to the annual upgrading are required to be made by regulations and therefore cannot be included in that order uh this debate also encompasses the Social Security benefits uaing regulations Northern AR 2024 which make technical Provisions required for the accurate implementation of the increased rates the regulations are made as a consequence of the uaing order they also include an increase to the personal expenses allowance for residents and Care Homes and the earnings limit in relation to car’s allowance as a result of the 20124 upgrading package approximately 703 million more will be paid out by my department to people in Northern Ireland on um benefits and uh pensions I understand we might like to do more for recipients of Social Security benefits and pensions especially during the cost of living crisis that we find ourselves in however in relation to the annual uping order um as I’ve said previously um we only have the power to make the corresponding to Pro provision to the one made in Britain I would therefore welcome members support for both the upgrading order and the consequential upgrading regulations so that people in Northern Ireland can continue to receive the increased GRS like to move thank you Minister I call on Colin gild new chair of the committies committee um I raise as chairperson of the committee for communities in support of both the Motions pertaining to the Social Security benefits uprating order regulations ni 2024 the committee considered both the order and the draft regulations at our meeting on the 11th of April 2024 committee regularly see secondary legislation pertaining to Social Security benefits and is aware that this order is one of several statutory rules which relate to the annual uprating of certain benefits pensions and allowances whilst any increase in a cost of living crisis is to be welcomed committee also continue to hear regularly from Witnesses about the ongoing hardship faced by many of the most vulnerable in our communities committee give H committee welcomed the uprating of premiums that are paid to disabled people receiving working age benefits Universal Credit Income Support housing benefit job Seekers allowance and employment and support allowance elements in line with CPA as the minister has said 6.7% we also welcome the fact that certain child and family elements will also be upgraded in line with the increase in the relevant hmrc rates it’s important I believe to recognize some specific adjustments such as the increase in widow’s pension and the pension credit minimum guarantee these adjustments signify an important step in supporting our most vulnerable citizens including widowers pensioners and those reliant on pensions and allowances however whilst we acknowledge these positive changes it is crucial to recognize the ongoing challenges faced by many in our community particularly in the current cost of living crisis despite the uaing there are pressing concerns that still need our urgent attention we must not Overlook the fact that curers and individuals with disabilities continue to struggle to meet their daily needs the increases in curers allowance disability living allowance and personal independent payments are welcome yet they may still still fall short in providing the necessary support for these groups curers who dedicate their lives to looking after young one loved ones and those living with disabilities require more robust support to cope with Rising costs and the financial pressures they face daily Cur Cur allance is a subject that members have been very interested in having been briefed by Cur na on how unfair cures Lance benefit is with it being only worth 8190 per week and only available to those in unpaid C for a minimum of 35 hours per week meaning the payments are worth a maximum of 234 per hour or the equivalent of nearly five times less than the national living wage the associated upating rule introduces a modest increase from 139 to 1551 the amount which a person eligible for payment of curage Lars can earn in the week immediately proceeding without being deemed gainfully employed and losing their entitlement to Cur Lance Mr Mr Speaker on behalf of the committee whilst we commend the department for communities for bringing forward these adjustments which committee does support we must continue to advocate for continued evaluation and enhancement of our social security system to ensure that all individuals especially carers and those with disabilities receive the comprehensive support they deserve Las I am content to recommend that the assembly approves the order and the associated regulations for I AG uh thank you colum uh minister thank you um very much Mr Deputy speaker and again uh appreciate the consensus uh in the chamber is expressed by um the chairman of the uh committee and the way in which um they have dealt with this in the um in the committee uh as well um there is clearly support for the the motion that we have here today but I think that the chair of the committee rightly raises the issue of of carage allowance it’s something that we’re all uh well aware of um I appreciate and share the concern that have been expressed and uh it is something that I’m sure we will come back to in other discussions both with the committee and uh in this chamber as well um but as far as the uh rules uh apply for uh these annual increases today um I welcome the the support and I commend the Motions to the house thank you Minister uh the question is that the social security benefits upgrading order Northern Ireland 2024 be approved approved all those in favor say I I any countries the eyes have it the eyes have it we will then not move on to the second motion which has already been debated Clark please read the motion that the social security benefits upating regulations Northern Ireland 2024 be approved thank you I call on the minister for communities to move the motion I beg to move thank you the question is that the social security benefits operating regulations Northern Ireland 20 24 be approved all those in favor say I any contries the eyes have it the eyes have it the next item of business is a motion to approve a statutory rule I’ll ask the Clark to read the motion that the M lumps on payments conditions and amounts Amendment regulations Northern Ireland 2024 be approved thank you and I call on the Min for communities to move the motion I beg to move thank you the business committee is agreed that there should be no time limits to this debate and I call on the minister to open the debate on the motion Minister uh thank you very much Mr Deputy speaker these regulations are part of the annual upgrading package and increase the lump sum compensation payable by the scheme under the mesoa ETC act Northern Ireland 2008 there is no explicit requirement to review the level of payments under this scheme each year unlike with the mean benefit operating order however uh these regulations have increased the amounts payable by the scheme in line with the rate of inflation the amounts payable under the scheme have been increased for 2425 by 6.7% which Ms the percentage increase of industrial injuries benefits in the main upating order um under uh this scheme um those who have been exposed to asbestos can claim a lump some payment if they are not entitled to payment under the new mikon usus Etc workers compensation Northern Ireland order 1979 known as the 1979 scheme and do not otherwise have a civil claim uh this scheme uh provides financial help to persons diagnosed with this horrible disease or if the person has died to their dependence within a matter of weeks of diagnosis and without the need to establish an uh occupational link or indeed any positive link therefore provided that they have not already received received a compensation payment from another source people who suffer uh from the sful disease are eligible for a payment regardless of whether they were employees self-employed or indeed have never worked as well may be the case for family members who contracted the disease through secondary exposure for example cleaning as bestos covered clothes for 2425 the amount payable for example to a person age 37 or under a diagnosis has increased from 107,000 £ 38 to $4,210 um the same maximum that can be paid under the 1979 scheme these regulations ensure the compensation provided under the scheme maintains its value relative to inflation and uh I hope that I will have the support of the house in welcoming these uh Provisions I back to move thank you Minister col gild chair of the communities committee last and I raise as chair of the committee for communities to support the introduction of these regulations the committee considered this rule at our meeting on 11th of April while I won’t rehearse the details the minister has set that out in in great detail there um the primary purpose of this change is to increase the lump sum payments made to individuals suffering from diffuse mesothelioma as well as their dependence in terms of their purpose members will be aware that these payments are crucial for individuals afflicted by this debilitating disease which often results from asbestos exposure under the MoMA act ni 20208 these payments are made without requiring proof of negligent exposure to asist or that the exposure occurred during employment as the minister outlined this ensures Swift and fair compensation to those affected the Need For Change arises from the inflation adjustment based on the consumer prices index for September recorded at 6.7% the upating of payments is consistent with other disability benefits reflecting our commitment to supporting those who have been severely impacted by asbestos related diseases in terms of purpose and implementation the rule aims to adjust the lumpsum payments in line with inflation ensuring that beneficiaries receive adequate compensation that reflects the current economic conditions committee was advised that there was no statutory requirement for consultation in relation to the changes proposed by the rule nor did it require an equality impact assessment furthermore these regulations do not impose any additional cost on businesses Charities social Enterprises or voluntary bodies in terms of Financial and Regulatory Compliance the payments under the 2008 scheme are funded through the recovery of amounts from civil compensation ensuring no extra financial burden on public funds Additionally the regulations comply with section 24 of the ni act 1998 and align with correspondent regulations in Britain maintaining poty in line with existing policy in terms of maintaining legislative Party Committee understood that the regulations would come into Force concurrently with similar amendments in Westminster supporting an alignment of approach to social security and disability support after careful consideration the committee was satisfied that these regulations are both necessary and beneficial they align with our ongoing commitment to support individuals affected by serious health conditions like theuse Moma who will continue to experience financial implications associated with the disease therefore on behalf of the committee for communities I am content to recommend the assembly approves these regulations this approval will ensure that we continue to provide essential financial support to some of the most vulnerable members of our society and I would like to thank the minister and his officials for their ongoing engagement with the committee in relation to these and other matters thank you colum Min uh Mr Deputy speaker and I’m grateful to the uh chairman of the committee for his contribution and once again for the consensus that we uh have uh experienced around the house uh this afternoon not just on this but on other motions and I trust that all of the proposals and legislation that I bring to the house in the future will have uh similar uh levels of uh support but we will but we will we will see but um it’s very positive that we all agree um so I commend the motion to the house uh thank you for commending the motion to the house and for those students who have just arrived into the assembly on unfortunately you’re just going to see something very short before we move on but on that question the question is that the mesia only lumps some payments conditions and amounts Amendment regulations Northern Ireland 2024 be approved all those in favor say I any countries the eyes have it the eyes have it the next item of business on the order paper is the adjournment which obviously cannot take place until after question time I therefore propose by leave of the assembly to suspend the sitting until 2:00 the sitting is by 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call Tom Elliot question number one Deputy speaker call Minister thank you Deputy speaker the plans for a new build for inis Gillan Royal grammar school on the former ptor Royal Grammar School site are well Advanced with final technical design pre- tender construction estimates and decant plans for the former devonish College currently being prepared by the appointed integrated consultant team a planning application for the new Bild was submitted in March of 2023 however no decision on the application has been taken at this time any decision to progress this project beyond the current design stage will be dependent on available Capital funding thank you uh Deputy speaker thank the minister for that update just wondering if there’s any Finance ring fenced in this current Year’s budget to help progress the the school well Deputy speaker there isn’t um ring fenced funding um for any particular School in that respect uh I was able to announce 15 projects that could advance to Construction in The Current financial year um but this school is still not at that stage where it is ready to go into the uh construction phase um so it is important that it can get to that point and then of course um where uh Finance can become available it will allow me to move more schools into that um construction stage process and that’s why I appeal to members support me as I make the case to my executive colleagues for Capital funding and that will allow me to take forward um not just this project but many of the other projects that I would like to see developed within the school estate and your Murphy K Co and I’d like to welcome the minister recent announcement in relation to a much needed extension for sh kavin’s College listen ski could the minister give an approximate time scale on when we will see what commments Minister Deputy speaker if it’s on list SK um I’ll come back to the member in writing in respect of that one obviously I prepared to do with the the in skillin grammar school as part of the original question call Deborah urkin thank you Mr Deputy speaker and I thank the minister for his ansers so far the minister will be acutely aware that I too uh want to see in a skill and Royal Grammar School progress and can he indicate what the time skills may be once H the school goes after planning because H decanting to a davish site is not the ID leader given that the davish college moved out into a new site and there are issues with that site in particular as well Deputy speaker obviously there still issues to progress until um inis skll and Royal can get to that construction um stage so it is not there to be bidding for Capital because it hasn’t got to that shovel ready State um so obviously we need to get the processes concluded planning permission is still um working through the system and once that is all completed then this school can sit along with other schools and making the application for that um and where Capital becomes available then I will be able to announce more uh new bills um but at this stage the announcements are for this year um but we need to get other schools to the the point at which they can be uh commencing subject to the availability of capital call Shen mclin speaker Minister as students in B School column calendary have been waiting now over 20 years uh for a new school can the minister make any comment today on when they can expect a new build Minister speaker again the question relates Dennis Gillan so I understand members to draw in every other school but um I can provide a written update to the member what what I would say deputy speaker um when it comes to decisions around financing and capital um please make the case when it comes around the executive table when it comes to voting through the budget to increase the allocations for the Department of Education and then I’ll be able to take forward more projects but in respect to the particular question I’ll provide a written update to the member and call Keith Bean thank you speaker question two please Minister International Studies such as the program for international student assessment and Pisa provide essential insights on our systems strengths and highlight opportunities to learn from approaches used in other high performing countries the 2022 study published in December of 23 showed that Northern Ireland pupils continued to significantly outperform the majority of Education systems in each subject as they did in the last study in 2018 and this most recent study our pupil significantly outperformed 48 education systems in mathematics 57 in reading and 49 in science the Pisa 2022 study was especially important in providing the first results for a comparative international study of academic assessment collected during the pandemic for this cohort of pupils at 15 years old uh I place on record my thanks to the 80 participating schools uh for making this possible and what were very challenging circumstances and whilst the score for science in Northern Ireland had not uh changed significantly since 2018 the scores for both mathematics and reading had declined significantly it is notable but not surpr unsurprising given the impact of the pandemic that this was also the case on average across oecd countries while these results show our post- primary system to be a strong performer on the international stage they also demonstrate that we have more to do case be thank you and thank the minister so far for his answer Minister um how did Northern Ireland results compare with other local jurisdictions on participating countries Minister well Deputy speaker um in comparison to other jurisdictions um within the United Kingdom results in Northern Ireland were significantly above that of Wales Not So Different to that of Scotland however Northern Ireland fell significantly below the average average scores um in England scores in England did drop across all subjects uh since 2018 however the differential was less so than for other UK uh regions an oecd analysis of the Pisa 22 results across the 81 participating countries found that in spite of challenging circumstances 31 countries and economies managed to at least maintain their performance in mathematics since Pisa 2018 uh and among these five countries um maintained or further raised already high levels of student performance and these systems showed common features this was in Australia Japan Korea Singapore and the Switzerland um these features included shorter school closures fewer obstacles to remote learning and continuing teachers and parental support which can further offer insights and indications of broader best practices to address um in the future so Deputy speaker um we have performed well but my ambition for the next 10 years is that Northern Ireland is the best performing uh country within the United Kingdom and that’s the change that I want to see in terms of how we deliver our curriculum um and 10 years from now we should be the best performing uh country within the UK that’s my ambition and I trust it’s the ambition of all members of this house call Danny Baker con um how does the minister plan to address a significant Gap in the average scores between the most disadvantaged and the least disadvantaged pups minister speaker we just announced um recently the raise program which is around reducing educational disadvantage that builds upon Fair start um where where we are identifying um how we can support through a whole Community approach and there are some really good examples uh I was at 1 this morning in East Belfast um and I was there with Galvin Robinson and we were looking at how they’re working in partnership with schools with all of the community organizations and how they can take that forward we spoke about this in an adjournment recently in terms of the West Belfast partnership and the work that it is taking place so the Reise program which we are now moving forward with um will give us a real opportunity to bring forward even further um improvements in areas where there is social disadvantage and educational underperformance call Matthew T thank you speaker Minister it is definitely right to say there are high levels of educational achievement Northern Ireland in specific areas and we should be proud of that uh and no one should doubt that but it is also the case that at a society-wide level there are real problems in terms of very high levels of people relative to other jurisdictions who leave here without any qualifications and the impact that has on our economy overall what specific actions do you want to take in your stinton office to address that long taale of educational underachievement Minister well building on what I referred to the member um Mr Baker from West Belfast um Mr UL is right in terms of wanting to make sure that we are equipping our children and young people U with the best possible opportunity uh in terms of career progression our economy that’s why we have a framework uh approach um between the Department of Education and economy um for 14 to 19 how do we make sure they get the right skills so that they’re able to get on and progress uh economically so there is work that we’re taking forward um the raise program early intervention all of this is vitally important so that we equip our young people with the best possible opportunities than sham M Holland question three please Minister Minister Deputy speaker I circulated the first report on the operation of the Children’s Services cooperation act uh 2015 to my executive colleagues on the 17th of June asking that they provide their reviews by the 21st of June and it’s my intention to seek formal executive agreement to republish to publish that report at the earliest opportunity sham Holland thank you um does the minister agree with the assessment by the Northern Ireland commissioner for children young people and the children’s Law Center that while the casa framework exists and guidelines exist it is underutilized without established regulations from the Department of Finance and can the minister give us assessment about what work can be done to improve the utilization of the casa legislation Minister well when we publish the report I certainly will welcome the feedback in terms of the findings of it and and there’s some examples of good practice and where the Departments are collaborating together and I also believe there are examp examples where we should be doing things better but focusing on the things that we have been able to do um because legislation should not be required for departments to work collaboratively together we should be doing it and we do do um and I can give you some examples The Early Learning child care strategy that uh the executive agreed nearly all departments sit on that and the executive approved 25 million pounds um towards that we’re looking at the raise program which again um we secured funding from and that will involve um various different departments that will sit within those teams um I look at the Thrive um scheme that’s taking place with voluntary community and different local government agencies so we do work together um in collaboration um legislation should not uh be needed for departments to do that um and I think I’ve give examples of where we didn’t need legislation to work together um but it can also be a useful tool to underpin some of the services that the public expect us to provide call Kathy misson g k cor can I ask the minister what collaboration there has been between health and education with regard to the provision of wraparound Services um for support with children with special educational needs minister so there are um examples where um I’m aware now that Health trusts are withdrawing some of their staff and special schools and that does cause me concern um because within um those schools I think you have have children and young people there it makes sense for health professionals to come into those facilities um and whil there is again high level collaboration we are seeing an outworking which doesn’t reflect the aspirations at a departmental senior um team and ministerial level um so that does cause me concern it’s something that um we need to see engagement on um but there are examples of good practice in that area but I think there’s so much more that we can uh be doing and working between the Department of Education and the Department of Health to try and meet the needs both educationally and also the increasing medical complexities that many children now have within our school settings call Daniel mccrosson thank you speaker Minister as chair of the Public Accounts committee countless Witnesses and PE uh that have come to the committee have criticized the executive for a lack of cooperation are you confident that your department has adhered to the children’s corporations act uh fully yeah there’s no examp of where we haven’t in that respect that I’m aware of um but we will publish it and I would welcome the feedback from the PAC um which carries out important work at looking across the executive to identify where things can be improved um but I repeat the earlier points we shouldn’t require legislation to force departments to work together and I think this executive has been showing um where we can work together um we are able to do that and to do that successfully but can things be improved yes they can I I met just this morning with um Caleb’s mother um on the white we talked about how the campaign to do with Caleb uh I know Connor Murphy the minister for economy spoke about this yesterday um and that is an area where both I the minister for the economy the minister for health need to be working in collaboration as to how do we meet the needs for post 19 provision uh and it sits across different departments and we shouldn’t need legislation to make us work together and so as I gave the commitment um in that meeting that I would work collaboratively with other ministerial colleagues I will I will do that because we need to make sure that we act together legislation should not uh be required to force ministers to do that and I’m glad that in this executive we are able to get on with the job and try to do our best for people I call Owen tson questiony speaker Minister the endtoend review of special educational needs was initiated in February 2023 and is being taken forward in four phases phase one is complete and involved the establishment of governance structures the scoping of the review and Associated 12 work streams phase two involves stakeholder engagement to shape the way forward phase three is the development of options and phase four is the development of an implementation plan phase two of the review is nearing completion and has been focusing on the development of potential solutions to solving the known issues the findings from stakeholders engagement are being considered as part of a more detailed implementation plan and in coming months I intend to set out some early year one actions with a view to rebuilding confidence and capability across the system these early actions will be embedded within a clear plan for implementation of systemwide Reform and form part of the wider departmental bid to the newly established Northern AR executive interim public sector transformation board the plan will focus on a framework that will ensure children and young people with San and disability get the right support from the right people at the right time and in the right place it’s important that I emphasize the need for sustained investment to deliver the fundamental reforms which are emerging from the end-to-end review of s and to deliver a high quality efficient effective and sustainable sand system for the future Owen Tennison for supplementary I thank the minister for that answer the minister will be aware that there have been numerous reports andm provision in Northern Ireland over the past decade what Assurance can he give that the recommendations right for the end end review won’t simply sit on the Shelf like others but will be implemented and when can we expect to see that implementation Plan before this assembly yes sir Deputy speaker I’ve indicated that I do intend to set out um a number of uh early year one actions in the coming months months and I appreciate the sentiment the member has articulated in terms of wanting to see real and tangible action in this area we have reviews we have the evidence that change needs to happen and I’ll be setting out um how we can take forward those changes and and what we can do within a short time frame um and Ed and also look to the longer term systemic change that is needed and these include actions under the areas around early intervention pupil support professional support in the classroom and communication and it’s envisaged that in the first term of the new Academic Year the department will have a suite of alternative approaches for the deployment of classroom assistants which will be available for schools um if they wish so that’s just a a sample of some of the things that I intend outline and due course uh in terms of those short-term measures to help allay some of the concerns the member has raised call Linda Dillan Le K Coria thank you and thank the minister for his anwers so far Minister we had Allied Health Professionals in front of us at the health committee last week and they raised some concerns about whether there are conversations happening around the provision for children with special educational needs so whil you’re having an end revie and I I do appreciate that and I think that the work that’s been done by your department is is really positive can you give us our outline give us an update on what conversations are happening with the health department and is there an assurance being given that they will actually put the investment into those allite health professionals to ensure the support is there for children because parents are really nervous about what’s going at the moment Deputy speaker I I agree with the member and understand that nervousness because I’ve heard it firsthand from parents whenever I meet with them and this comes to the issue of how we provide that overall support not just educationally but whenever it comes to the health needs and so the the requirement to have speech and language therapists available um is one example um where children need support then you have behavioral issues and we need to have support and I’m not satisfied at the current provision that exists in terms of that department of education and Department of Health working in collaboration together so we do need to address that issue there are local integrated teams that are meant to be there to help work through these issues with uh children that have special educational needs but I do believe it has to improve um I understand the challenges that the Department of Health is facing um but it it is a retrograde step to be withdrawing um health professionals from educational establishments and call Cheryl brownley um thank you Mr Deputy speaker and thank you to the minister um for his answer so far um this is obviously a critical um challenge for his department and I welcome this response but in terms of the stakeholder and engagement um could the minister detail if he has been working with the volunteering Community sector as you’ll know they are critical to providing support and assistance um for parents and children with special educational needs and is there any methods of best practice that he’s integrated within the review Minister well the member outlines the importance of the voluntary and Community sector and I know that um in my own constituency about the important role that they can play uh and therefore it’s important that we can harness the support that they can provide that’s something that um often schools can do independently in terms of linking in with the community and gaining that support I want to be there to help and facilitate all of that and where there’s best practice that’s something that I want to be able to take and share across the education system yeah nichel thank you Deputy speaker thank you Minister um the voluntary and Community sector have fed back to me that they still feel like the situation is similar to last year and it strikes me that there is a lack of confidence um in them but particularly from parents in in ensuring that their children are going to be placed as an inequality that children in mainstream schools are placed in April and those with scn or not what reassurance can you give that not only will the department prioritize placing these children but placing them in a place that is suitable and appropriate for their needs speaker I recently announced a bespoke capital program um when it comes to um schools and special educational needs so not only am I addressing the short-term challenge in terms of SCH placements this uh term for September uh and we are working through that um process and once it’s of no Comfort to those children and families that still need a place we are in a better position than last year but last year was an appalling place but we are in a better place now um compared to then um um but I announced a capital program a 10-year plan I announced that we would assess all 39 special schools and where they need to have enhancement then they should be prioritized for those enhancement programs we announced new bills and noav AR n um and you know we’ve recognized there needs to be eight new special schools four in Belfast and four in other parts of Northern Ireland so this is a minister and an executive who recognizes the challenge is looking to the longer term in terms of having a strategic approach but also dealing with the real challenge today for those children and families that need placed in September and now I call padri Deputy speaker the recently announced raise program provides a significant opportunity to improve education outcomes for children and young people it will adopt a whole Community approach to supporting those at risk of exclusion marginalization and underachievement this investment will provide funding to some of the most disadvantaged areas in Northern Ireland to ensure that children and young people are happy learning and succeeding the program will also enable the creation of strong collaborative Partnerships across schools Community organ organizations and government departments working across these eligible areas supporting area- based partnership approaches over the next two years and potentially extending further uh subject to evaluation uh I of course I’m happy to consider other funding opportunities as and when they arise the shared Island investment to raise achievement and reduce educational uh Advantage disadvantage is of course very welcome and will enable a significant program of work I’m also Keen to pursue opportunities for sh shared working and shared learning from an East West perspective Victor lari for supplementary Minister thank you for your answer um we know the Fantastic work that schools right across on Earth do um but it’s very clear that there is an a Gap a significant Gap actually in educational attainment between the North and the South what do you identify as the key reasons for that and how are you going to uh ensure that that Gap is is reduced Minister well Deputy speaker um obviously each jurisdiction will measure um comes in the way in which that they do I’ve highlighted how even in the most recent pza findings Northern Ireland is performing um within the United Kingdom at a higher level compared to Wales um someone are similar to Scotland but the the trajectory for Scotland is in Decline and they are looking at how they can review their curriculum I want to make sure that our curriculum um is being uh based upon a specific approach that makes sure Northern Ireland can proceed so it isn’t the case of comparing um necessarily Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland um where we can learn from each other as to what the best practice is that’s something that we should do where we can learn East West again that’s something that we should do and I’m ke to take the best practice from wherever it exists either within um the United Kingdom uh or within the Republic of Ireland or indeed from International uh best practice and I met recently at the world uh education Forum in London uh the the education Minister for New Zealand um and we were able to engage and talk about how New Zealand having had performance levels declining what they are now doing to change that and the approach that they are taking so wherever best practice exists we should learn from it I call Alan Chambers speaker Minister ensuring that all children with special educational needs have a school placement that is appropriate to meet their needs is and will continue to be a primary focus for my department and the education Authority around 60% of children with s do not require a statement of special educational needs and these children apply for a school Place through the general schools admission uh process 40% of children with s uh have a statement of s and these children follow a different process whereby their school placement is named on their statement based on their individually assessed needs and in consultation with parents in schools and whilst parental preference is considered responsibility for the naming of a place res rests with the education Authority there has been a significant increase in the number of children requiring a specialist education place in recent years and the struggle to keep Pace with demand is well rehearsed almost 4 and a half thousand children with a statement of say require a new or change of placement for September 2024 this year in February of this year the education Authority advised um that around 1,000 additional special educational places were required to meet this demand and significant progress has been made through the creation of additional capacity and the requirement now stands at around 400 places uh that need to be established significant progress has also been made to secure appropriate placements for all children with special educational needs for September of this year as of the 24th of June 83% % of children with the statement of S have a confirmed place and this figure is expected to rise significantly um by the end of June however the situation for September does remain challenging particular pressures for special school places and focused work continues to secure uh to secure additional specialist education places across the entire School estate Alan Chambers for supplementary thank you Deputy speaker and thank you Minister for your reply I’m sure that the minister would agree that the ment of mainstream transfer pupils can be a stressful exercise but for special educational needs pupils and their families it is even more stressful uh hopefully with the help of this house he can find resolutions to resolve this situation that he has acknowledged is challenging Minister well can I thank the member for those comments um he recognizes the efforts that are being made uh to try and meet uh the need uh that is work that continues um because we have to make make sure that by September um every child does have a place um for them and my department is supporting the education authority to do that and we have taken steps including seeking um schools to identify their willingness to provide spaces we’re mapping all of that out we have surveyed a lot of the schools as to what the need would be to provide any change or to put in um specialist provision um and all of that is work that has been taken forward by my department working uh with EA and that work will continue and because I am determined um that by September every child does have a place I met with the chief executive of ea uh and the target he said to me was to make sure every child does have a place by September but I don’t want to be here Mr Deputy speaker next year in the same position um because the anxiety and the stress that’s placed upon families who still don’t know um where their child is going to be placed is unacceptable uh it’s unacceptable for them it’s unacceptable to me and we need to make sure that when we get through this year that we’re not faced with the same scenario next year Steven done you Mr Deputy speaker come Minister joined me in commanding the five schools within my own constituency of North toown that have come forward to express an interest in establishing both new or additional specialist provision classes can you outline what impact these will have on SE pressures locally Minister and and I’ll join happily with the member um to thank um in his constituency those schools that did respond Poss positively and to all schools um who expressed a willingness um to provide uh additional capacity um for this year and indeed for future years um it was a very positive um response um we had 400 schools indicated a willingness to established specialist provision classes in the in response to the survey that my department had issued officials engaged with those schools who said that they could establish provision this year and we’re following up um with the remainder in the new school term to ensure provision can be put in place in line with um projected need six schools have agreed to establish new specialist provision um this year in the ards and Northtown Council area and that will create seven additional classes for up to 60 children with social communication needs and learning uh difficulties who otherwise may not have had access to a suitable school Place uh for September 2024 so I thank those schools for taking the proactive approach that they have taken okay members that ends the period for listed questions we will now move on to 15 minutes of topical questions please note that questions 1 five and nine have been withdrawn and I call earlier Flynn gas um I thank the minister for his answer so far uh my question is around um if the minister has any update in terms of the consultation process that’s been carried out in West Belfast at the site of the old suffk school uh primary school so there’s been a consultation around providing additional SC places if there’s any update on that thanks sure I’m aware of the issue that the member raises in terms of um again trying to have additional capacity um I’m happy to provide a written update I don’t have the the exact details as to where the position currently sits but I’m more than happy to engage with the member and also to provide more information R Fen for supplementary no I thank the minister for that response and maybe just as a follow on um if the consultation is successful and the hope is we will get some additional provision for this school it’s obviously based in West Belfast but will takeing kids from right across the areas um have you any sense of even the numbers of you know how many were talken how how much additional um places this this particular um P of land might provide for you Minister I I don’t have the precise details but what I will say to the member um where uh consultation process is carried out and and where we are able to provide support uh and it comes to me for a decision I’ll not be found wanting and try and expedite that as soon as possible um because we recognize that there is a need to provide additional capacity um right across Northern Ireland but there are some areas where there’s uh higher need than others um and where I can support meeting that need and not be found wanting in providing the support that’s necessary to do that but I’ll happily provide more details to the member with a more precise um update call Eman uh Minister I’ve recently written to you about the the case for Holy primary uh school and Mar felt and the principal has been in contact with me the school have been requesting a new build at the site for quite a number of years I wonder if you’d give consideration to that Minister always happy to give consideration to new bills um the member has more leverage than I suspect I with the finance minister to help me to get the funding to do that um but where I can provide support um Absolutely I’ll provide support but um happy to engage with the member as I am with I think nearly every member corresponds with me about new schools and enhancing their Provisions uh I always want to do more and with the right support I’d be able to miss Shan for supplementary thanks Minister for that commitment so some of the classrooms in holy family uh primary have been in operation since 1890 um and they they’re generations of of uh families who have been using the same classroom where Grandparents were in the same exact same building as as their grandchildren now are so in the in the interim period could we see some sort of um I suppose provision that if if it’s not a new build straight away some sort of help to the dilapidated building that is there Mr if there’s any need to make sure a building is um safe of course um the education Authority will provide that support to do that um the member will know that the normal process for new bills School enhancement programs you know there would be a call put out by the department Department then the managing authorities will put forward different schools and CCMS and we put forward a list of schools within that sector um and then there is a criteria that is applied based upon need um so I recognize there is a need to invest in the school of State I was pleased to secure um an additional 80 million pounds this year that has allowed me to announce 15 new projects eight new schools seven School enhancement programs um but could I do more yes I could uh if more funding becomes available then I’ll seek to take forward more schemes uh I want to provide the support that’s needed um and with the support of this house and executive colleagues I’ll be able to do more Conor Ean thank youy speaker thank you Minister um special schools as you know are a Lifeline for many children and summer schemes are a vital part of this could you please give us an update on the funding for summer summer schemes in special schools for this summer Mr can I thank member for for raising the question cuz I am aware of uh the need to provide Clarity and I am pleased to be able to give uh that announcement today that I will be supporting the enhanced summer provision program for special schools um this year I understand the importance of this provision for children and young people and their families and I want to thank our school leaders and their staff for their commitment to the delivery of these activities across the summer period and I’ve asked officials to continue working with colleagues across departments local government government and the voluntary and Community sector to ensure that summer provisions and out of school hours activities are accessible to every child with special educational needs and disability conen for supplementary you Minister some schools are already communicating with parents that these schemes won’t be able to go ahead can you confirm that you will be in contact with schools um as soon as possible to confirm this funding and this provision will continue over the summer I can confirm that that official confirmation will take place um but I’ve announced today that that is the case members will be aware of the very significant financial challenges facing the Department of Education uh we are on a projected overspend of200 million pound this year there will be very difficult decisions that need to be taken um but I’m determined the children with special educational needs should not be the ones bearing the brunt of the difficult decisions that need to be taken this scheme um is in the region of 655,000 and I’ve given approval for that expenditure to be occurred um this morning question five is pointed is withdrawn so we move to Cheryl BR thank you Mr Deputy speaker and thank you to the minister for his answer so far um I know you’ve touched on it there slightly but could you give us a further update on the the budgetary pressures that your department is facing so the Mr sorry Deputy speaker um the uh Department’s resource allocation for 2425 is significantly less than what is required and leaves a considerable shortfall across the education sector education will require substantially more funding during this budget period if we are to avoid a significant and detrimental impact on our children and young people my department has submitted resource bids um totaling 293 million and capital bids totaling 113 million within the June monitoring round these pressures include amongst other things additional funding for our schools including a much needed schools maintenance um program investment in our children and special educational needs the eaay and Grading review and a Teachers Pay award for September 2024 the inability to fund these pressures in turn could potentially lead to re-intensified Industrial action and a return to action short of strike in the Autumn which has been crippling to our education system however given the Quantum of the sectors need and the funds available for allocation I anticipate that any additional allocations received in the June monitoring will not meet all my departments inescapable pressures and many difficult decisions will need to be taken over coming months I am working through with my officials what options are available and what difficult decisions can be taken some of which will be crosscutting and to that end it will be important that my executive colleagues understand the pressures that education faes ER brownley for supplementary um thank you Mr W speaker and thank you to the minister for um his very honest resp Fund in terms of the school enhancement program I understand within my constituency there’s a number of schools um waiting for that to be announcer mov forward um do you have any more information on where this sits currently um and the pressures in terms of budgets for this so the the enhanced summer scheme Provisions I I have approved um despite all of the financial pressures that my department faces um that funding will be made available and they will be able to go ahead um and I know for many families um this is important to them um I also want to take forward um those Capital programs I visited the members constituency um we’ve looked at some of the schools um within her uh constituency um and that Capital program we are taking forward where I can secure additional funding in the June monitoring round then I’ll be able to update the member and the house of where I’m able to allocate that funding to in due course I call Dian dos thank you Mr Deputy speaker and thank you minister Minister um many of us are concerned that the control sector is disadvantaged in that it does not have a specific body to look after its needs the independent review of Education recommended that at the very least there should be a function within EA um to do this in a separate director can you give us um an update on where this now sits Minister well the member has articulated well the issues and I agree entirely uh with the the member and and therefore recognizing the concerns that were highlighted by the independent review panel and I’m committed to ensuring that the controlled sector is given the level of support it requires I have asked officials working with the education Authority and the controlled School support Council to undertake some initial analysis to help me determine how best to proceed I expect to receive that advice shortly following which I will bring forward proposals outlining how I plan to address the findings of the independent review and I can assure the member that while this is a priority area for me it’s important that we take time to ensure that the solutions that we put in place are effective and capable of delivering real change dods for a supplementary thank you um Mr Deputy speaker and thank you Minister um Minister do you believe that it will require legislation to create a separate body for the controlled sector and that this is potten entially in the long run the only way forward to ensure that there is equity between all of the sectors in education sure well Deputy speaker one of the first steps that can be created is for a specific directorate to be created within the education Authority because it is U the managing Authority for controled schools it’s a particular function that the EA has uh it is not the managing Authority for all schools members will know that CCMS is the managing Authority um for the Catholic maintainance sector and then we have other sectors um that um are there for uh the various needs within the education system but the controlled schools uh sit within EA as the managing Authority um so that is a change that I want to see but then I do want to have a managing Authority for uh the controlled schools um members will know from their experience certainly I do within my constituency of the frustration within many controlled schools uh at the lack of support uh that they feel exists uh when it comes to dealing with issues uh and therefore it’s not acceptable for me uh that the control sector uh do not get the support uh that is required and I’m determined that change will happen in this area I call sh Dixon speaker um Minister um you recently uh announced a consultation on school uniform policy but could you tell the house how you propos to include children and young people in that consultation on how their voices will be heard minister so the member will know that in that announcement um there is provision online for people to engage in that but recognizing there has to be more um detailed engagement with children and young people the education Authority will be taking forward um stakeholder engagement events to ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard as part of that process sure Dixon for supplementary thank you uh Minister for your answer so far Minister you set out um school uniform as one of your day one priorities but given it was a day one priority why is this review being launched in June at the end of the school year sure well Deputy speaker um it has been taken forward and taken forward at PACE um so having instructed officials for this consultation to be carried out the work was undertaken and to pull all of that information together it is out now for consultation um I want to have proposals brought to me by the 30th of October um that will allow me to look at the current guidance and it will also allow me to take forward the engagement that I need with executive colleagues in terms of the shape of the legislation so it’s important um because I’ve said that this is a priority for me but more importantly for parents this is the number one issue that comes through and every parent stakeholder engagement when it comes to the financial costs associated with school uniforms and at a time whenever um the cost of living pressures are really squeezing people’s incomes we need to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to support those families the overwhelming majority of schools um do follow the guidance which exists um but I have give my uh support to putting that guidance um on a statutory footing making sure that it is relevant and up to date uh and we are also seeking views on what a cap cost would look like and that is an opportunity for the public to engage as part of that process I call Harry Harvey and point out one minute to go thank you Deputy speaker could the minister provide an update in relation to Industrial action by support staff thank you Minister well Deputy speaker um I was delighted um that we uh had significant progress in terms of the negotiations that were taking place I met with the trade unions very early uh in taking up office uh I indicated my willingness to engage in Partnership because the same issues affecting uh the trade unions affect me and concern me and therefore we’ve had a constructive relationship and we engaged in good faith um they called off their um further planned industrial action and subsequently um a package is now being consulted upon within the Trade union membership and I hope um that that will be uh successful so subject to that positive response um stage one the process uh will uh see investment of £52 million this year that will move everyone onto their new pay scales taking effect from the 1 of April and I’ve been working with the Finance Minister and we’ll be seeking executive approval uh to meet uh this investment from the June monitoring round the second stage of the process is a non-consolidated payment to those staff in post from the 1st of April 2024 it’ll be paid in uh April 2024 or sorry goes back to April 2022 um and that will be in the region of 80 million and that will lead to a 2550 payment and I think that is welcomed by all members because these staff are incredibly important to the education system there are classroom assistants our catering staff our bus drivers and I trust that the outworking of the pallot will be successful and then we can implement this new Arrangement thank you Minister that concludes our questions to the minister of Education we now move on to questions to the assembly commission M to ask the note questions three and eight have been withdrawn and I call William irban Mr Deputy speaker sen Dennis Deputy speaker um and I thank the member for his question the assembly commission strives to be an Exemplar organization in terms of sustainable development and has implemented a range of measures to enhance enhance the Energy Efficiency of parliament buildings recent projects have included the installation of lower parred LEDs in the corridors and the assembly and Senate chambers in addition light sensors have been installed to minimize energy usage when required in toilets and other common areas the member will be aware that we also replace the building’s old flood lighting system with a new energy efficient programmable LED system and we continue to review the time schedules for all of the external lighting that we have control of the assembly commission sets ambitious Targets in relation to energy use and it’s is committed to achieving year-on-year reductions for example for the reporting year 2324 we managed a 177% reduction in gas usage and a 2% reduction in uh electricity usage uh against the B9 year of uh 2019 2020 the assembly commission’s sustainable development office Works closely with a number of Partners to introduce Energy Saving Solutions and ensure continuous improvement in our Energy Efficiency one such example is working with the department for the economy in relation to the geothermal technology on the stormant estate and investigating possible options for hating William for supplementary thank you Mr Speaker and can I thank the member for response does the member have any idea or the member were any plans to increase electric charging points at the parl buildings thank you Deputy speaker um I I I don’t know if any plans off hand at the minute it is something that is discussed regularly at uh our commission meetings and I’m aware that there aren’t enough and there’s may be problems with the the timing that’s allowed for uh um uh electric Chargers so um that is something that we will definitely take back to our commission meetings and I’m sure there’ll be other members that will be um eager to hear what the outcome of those discussions are than my call case thank you pleas speak a question to please you call Trevor Clark with your permission uh Deputy speaker I’m going to uh take questions two and four together um so can I thank the members further questions um the ongoing situation with the roof repairs on Parliament buildings is an issue that the assembly commission has taken extremely seriously and has reviewed updates of its recent meetings until recently the assembly commission has refrained from undertaking a full range of remedial Works based on advice that this could Prejudice the legal position of the commission as the member will be aware the commission has issued proceedings against Hamilton Arc attacks on trissy Brothers for negligence breach of statutory Duty and breach of contract arising from the defa defacts to the roof the assembly commission received viice advice on the February uh this year due to the ongoing deterioration and Associated health and safety concerns and following the exchange of expert architect and engineer reports with the two defendants the legal position had changed and that the assembly commission could now undertake remedial Works to address all of the defects as a result the assembly commission is now moving forward to appoint contractors under a construction and procurement delivery framework to undertake immediate health and safety repairs and the scope out the full range of remedial repairs required the initial health and safety Works will be carried out over the summer um The Fill remedial Works will prevent any further deterioration address the issues related to damage to stonework and will resolve the ongoing issues of water Ingress within Parliament buildings a detailed plan outlining the timetable for these Works will be produc following the scoping Works carried out in the summer recess the assembly Comm commission will continue its legal action against HL archit attacks and Tracy Brothers to recover the full cost of these repairs okay call Cas Mallen for a supplementary thank you speaker and thank the was call Minister there that’ll be a bit much um the member so far for the answer um my question is then what what’s the C of any idea cost of the remedial works just to to make their Ro safe Clark so in terms of the current indicative cost for all the necessary remedial works is in the region of 2.4 million these costs were produced as part of the ongoing litigation process accurate costings will only be available when the scope and requirements for these Works has been finalized and tendered Harry Harvey for supplementary and thank you Deputy speaker and our prev members mentioned the fun so I’m just going to mention the timeline you mentioned that um it will be looked at during the summer recess which is great so do you think that um The Works would be fit to be carried out maybe before winter thank you Mr Clark there’s been various conversations in relation to the time frame um we’re only now at the position that we can actually do the scoping works and in terms of the fuel full procurement process but we’re anticipating that it will start as soon as possible after the summer recess call py mlo very much Mr Deb speaker and thank you Mr Clark for your answer and I’m glad to see at least some works commencing now to address the the problems uh can you can you advise please um You referred to remedial works and health and City Works and any of us who travel the building like buckets full of water in the middle of a caror isn’t the ideal situation and staff working in circumstances where you can clearly see the water Ingress right down towards the elction iCal Works um can Mr Clark can you advise if structural assessment has been made of the Damage Done to the actual structure of the building itself by persistent water and grass TR Clark there’s been various inspections carried out of the building to both to what nature some of this won’t we won’t know until some of the areas are uncovered uh I stripping back some of the external materials but the commission I can assure the members the commission is very exercised about all of this we would like to have moved much quicker but but following the legal advice we’ve had to go at this PA to allow both of those parties that were’re seeking legal redress from to allow them to respond to each stage okay members question three has been withdrawn question four has been answered so I call carum question number five I call Robbie Butler I thank the member for her question the assembly commission recognizes that supporting a healthy lifestyle is crucial for various aspects of life including physical health mental well-being and the overall quality of life the assembly commission encourages its staff and members to Avail of sustainable modes of Transport which contributes to a healthy lifestyle staff and members are able to take advantage of the cycle to work scheme and get active which is trans links tax smart scheme for commuter bus travel and an interest interest free loan scheme for annual commuter cards there’s also a bicycle station that has tools for making it easier for staff to cycle the work I have to commend the member of West Belfast Jerry Carol who’s up and down here every day in his bike staff also have access to the walking trails within the Storm at the state and to an outdoor gym area in terms of the physical building the assembly commission Endeavors to ensure the health safety and well-being of all those working in Parliament buildings offices within Parliament buildings have natural light and ventilation workers have access to drinking water throughout the building and are encouraged to take breakes away from their workstation display screen equipment assessments are undertaken for those working in the building which assesses an individuals work environment including light ventilation noise and temperature unfortunately there is little capacity within the building to offer further facilities in its restaurants the assembly commission aims to provide Parliament building users with healthy eating choices through its catering contract and this includes a selection of daily menus offering a choice of healthy options making every attempt to reduce salt saturated and hydrogenated fat sugar content and increase fiber content in its menus uh and also using the healthiest possible cooking methods k for supplementary so go boy SL and Robbie for that response I actually feel sorry for you having to read that out to be totally honest so we can’t cycle around Parliament builts that’s not what I asked I asked what’s happening in Parliament built I appreciate the response you give in relation to food that and I do know it’s a great day list of built but could there not be markers around the floors for people who walk around here as I do myself just to let them know um because because that’s the question that I particularly wanted an answer to and appreciate you were given that but maybe you could bring it back for something a bit more specific thank you there’s a lot of answers that I’ve got here um this one here might talk slightly more directly to your query um in regard to maybe distance markers on the floors if that is perhaps it and the assembly commission recognizes that this is a positive suggestion seeking to promote a healthy and active environment and a commitment that the assembly commission shares given that Parliament buildings is a great a listed building the assembly commission has to be mindful of the architectural architectural integrity and Heritage of the buildings therefore placing distance markers in floors or walls of corridors could or would be problematic however the assembly commission will give consideration to other ways of highlighting the distances around our buildings and I’m thinking what the our schools doing in the daily mile which would be a wonderful initiative and I certainly as a commission member will will personally take that back to the commission for the member thank you ask you to Deputy speaker I uh Echo uh what Carl Mulan said about the admiring uh Robbie for reading that entire answer there are a couple of specific challenges around healthy said as um fascinating as this building is it is very very purly located in terms of public transport um probably the worst in these islands in terms of legislatures um what more can be done with transing to encourage greater uh connectivity in terms of public transport Department buildings number two can there be can the commission look at increased sh facilities for people who do choose to either cycle to work Mr Carl was mentioned but others like myself do try and use the grounds to run for example when we get the opportunity and they’re very limited Sher facilities those are two obvious things I think that could be improved number one public transport access this building and number two Sher facilities hey Mr Butler I thank the member for his his uh subsequent question I actually agree with the member with regard to the sh facility for instance it’s I’m not sure if the member is aware there are two shs that are located here but they’re communal and have to be shed just make sure there’s nobody in there when you go in um but but I would would I would encourage the members to make use of the wonderful grounds um they get out to to run to walk to to take it in in consideration but it is a matter for the commission to take up perhaps with the infrastructure minister with regard to his ambition for active travel certainly something as Leaders we should be setting the example for but the member will also recognize that this is a historical building with some limitations however the commission will take on board the members uh ambition and and statements and look into that for thank you Daniel MCR speaker uh Mr Butler for those of us that have suffered the consequences of putting on the storm and stone what advice would you give to members of this house to keep more active and is there any plans by the commission to bring about maybe gy facilities for unfortunate members like myself significant interest in this from Mr Butler were here could cycle from yes MERS there’s a there’s a there’s an offer for to cycle from Stan um I there there is no capacity um to to to build the gym it’s something that I asked actually in 2016 um and we do have busy schedules as mlas but I would say this outside of that we have a duty to ourselves to look after ourselves too and I think it’s a not a commission piece of advice but my own is to join a gym in the first instance and possibly allocate some time but with regard to what we can do here um it is about again that piece that I said about showing that leadership looking after ourselves her own well-being and setting that standard the commission has that as a priority and the commission will continue to look at these items on an ongoing basis and it would be my ambition that perhaps in the in the in the future we might come up with some kind of solution in regard to that I call Kathy misson good uh can call you question number six let H here Dennis with your permission um I’m going to answer questions six and 14 uh together so I want to thank both members for their questions um and assure members that the security of staff and me members working at consistency offices is something that the assembly commission does take extremely seriously and has discussed um very frequently in recent times the assembly commission recognizes we’re in a different environment now to when the assembly was first established particularly with social media and is mindful of the experiences of members across the house the assembly commission considered a number of options and has agreed that additional funding will be made available to members for the provision of security measures as members will be aware financial assistance is provided through the uh assembly memb salary and expenses determination uh 2016 uh as amended by the assembly members salary and expenses Amendment determination 2020 um so members currently can claim for health and safety and security measures at their constituency offices either from the 7,000 constituency Office operating expenses budget or from their £4,000 um establishment expenses budget both of these limits were increased in 2020 to reflect the inclusion of security measures uh in the list of admissible expenditure the assembly commission though has agreed further funding should now be made available to members to be used exclusively for the provision of uh security measures uh at consistency offices and or members private dwellings this additional allowance may also cover the provision of Lan worker devices should members elect to purchase these devices for themselves or their support staff £4,000 will be made available to members for this uh purpose further changes will be required to the determination to give effect to this decision revised determination will be published once the specifics of this provision and a number of other administrative changes are agreed the head of Usher Services has also recently been in contact with psni which has historically taken the lead in terms of personal security matters um and crime prevention advice and the psni has provided advice on these matters to members upon request this has included carrying out survey visits to consistency offices and providing advice and recommendations relevant to personal and uh physical security measures the PSN also provided a briefing for members and their office staff at Parliament buildings on the 30th of April this year this briefing was well attended and provided an opportunity for members and their staff to seek personal security advice and raise specific issues regarding uh their personal security ask if you need an extra minute on this this answer no we’ll finish up uh the assembly commission uh officials are currently in discussions with psni regarding the possibility of a further briefing session for members at Parliament buildings in the office sorry in the Autumn thank you uh call Kathy misson for supplementary G Les koria um given the recent media coverage of security incidents uh incidents at MP offices what is the uh position regarding the provision of personal security advice and funding for members of other parliaments uh thank you um assembly commission officials have been in brief discussions with counterparts at other UK parliaments and the houses of the A octus and whilst all have confirmed the provision of funding for member security including that at consistency offices only the Scottish Parliament and the houses of the araus have released any details the Scottish Parliament has made provision for up to 5,000 pounds for um msps for the installation of security measures at consistency offices with further provision of up to £2,000 for members private dwellings um and £500 for Edinburgh accommodation the houses of the araus currently provides up to a maximum of 5,000 or 50% of actual costs whichever is the Lesser for measures installed across all of the members properties and from hord thank you uh Deputy speaker um can you thanks for for your answer but can you give us a timeline just to when that additional fund will be available sh um thank you um yes I know this is important uh to members to know when they can actually AAL of this um the existing determination has to be changed H the specifics of this new provision are still to be agreed by the assembly commission um and once these and a number of other administrative changes are agreed our revised determination will be considered by the assembly commission it’s anticipated that the assembly commission will consider a revised determination in September and members are reminded that in the meantime should cost arise relating to security measures these are recoverable under the provisions of the current determination it’s anticipated that if such costs are are incurred prior to the public uh publication of a new determination that they could then be transferred to the new cost provision when uh the determination is published thank you supplementary from steveen and I thank the member for her remarks so so far uh the member will be aware that many members of our staff have a large degree of disqui and particularly with the recent briefings and and I make a declaration of Interest my office has been indeed threatened by paramilitaries uh we have had the PS and iives come to our office they’ have made recommendations and the recommendations that the PS and I have made which are similar for those of a Westminster MP completely outstrips the amount of money are consideration that support there’s likely to be when will the commission get serious about this is um I want to assure the member that the commission is deadly serious about this um it yes we are um that is why we are at our last commission meeting this was a Hot Topic and we’ve pressed officials to make sure that should as I said in the previous answer should any instances occur members should feel free to act immediately not wait to determination if I can finish not wait to the determination in September um and they can recoup those costs once the final determination is made I call Mark Durkin Callister the member for his question the assembly commission strives to be an Exemplar organization in terms of sustainable development and has implemented implemented a range of measures to reduce the carbon footprint and improve the environmental performance of parliament buildings over the recent years the commission has introduced rainwater collection for flushing some toilets photo falic panels and so solar thermal tubes the heating boilers were also replaced with energy efficient gas boilers at that time and subsequent to that the commission also made modifications and improvements to the building’s energy management system BS We have replaced the light bulbs with more energy efficient LED lamps and installed hippos and toilets to reduce the amount of water used to flush the assembly commission sets ambitious targets to help reduce our carbon footprint for energy use waste generated and paper consumption and is committed to achieving year-on year reductions for example for the reporting year 23-24 we managed a 177% reduction in gas usage and a 35% reduction in paper usage against the Baseline year of 19 to 20 working with the storment estate maintenance unit and the waste contractor we have zero waste to landfill policy the assembly commission sustainable development office Works closely with a number of Partners to introduce Energy Saving Solutions and ensure continuous Improvement one such example is working with the department for the economy in relation to the geothermal technology on the stormant estate and investigating possible solutions for heating supplementary thank you Mr Deputy speaker and thank M mallister uh for that answer that contains a lot of good news and positive actions that the assembly has uh taken uh the new energy management system certainly very efficient it still manages to make this place unbearably uh warm but could uh miss m melister outline to us or undertake to bring back to us a report on how the assembly commission is progressing towards the eradication of single use Plastics in Parliament buildings mallister I thank the member um for that question this was an issue that did arise before my time in the assembly commission and and I understand that there will be and there should be progress on it um and I can commit that this will be brought onto the agenda for the forthcoming um assembly commission meeting again okay members uh as previously indicated question eight has been withdrawn so we move to Cheryl Bradley thank you question nine Trevor Clark okay uh thank you Mr Speaker can I thank the member for her question the assembly commission recognized the importance of a familyfriendly working environment as it contributes to healthier more engaged and productive Workforce whil enhancing uh the organization’s reputation and competitiveness however the assembly’s commission also recognizes that there’s particular challenges to a familyfriendly working environment in Parliament institution where there’s a need to be responsive to developments and it’s not likely always to be possible to to do this within the office strictly within office hours assembly commission has a number of policies for its employees to Avail of these include the hybrid working policy which offers the staff the opportunity to work from home where possible uh carefully balanced against the realities of business need and the importance of colleagues being together for strong Team Dynamics and the staff working ours polic sorry work staff ours at work policy which affords staff the opportunity to acrew additional time worked which can be taken during recess or within business whenever businesses acquire there’s also the special leave policy which gives the staff the statut rate time of care uh for dependence from the members perspective the assembly commission’s remit relates solely to the provision of of alliances to enable the members to exercise their functions as members the assembly Comm commission has therefore agreed to provide additional support to a member who is absent due to parental leave to carry out the constituency work that the member would otherwise have undertaken it is intended that the provision is incorporated into a new determination which is to be considered by the assembly Commission in September the assembly commission is also aware that there are likely to be issues related to members work here in Parliament buildings arising from period of maternity or paternity leave adoption leave or shared patern parental leave there’s limited provision for the members absences in the standing orders as regards for example participating in debates and voting procedural matter matters in the first instance would be for the committee on procedures such issues are not within the responsibilities of the assembly commission and for instance the proposal to allow a replacement member for this to place cover for a period of print leave would be required of a change of the 1998 act and outside the remit of the commission the member need an additional Amendment for this if possible sorry I should have indicated Mr Speaker the assembly commission has no role in determining the salaries or pensions payable to members however it should be noted that the salary of a member is not reduced as a result of deciding take to take parental relief members have previously asked for the provision of a child care facility inorm in the state and following inquiries by the assembly commission the Department of Finance confirmed in September 23 that new immediate plans for a child care facility on the storm in state the assembly commission has considered the matter further since but remains open to exploring cooperation on such a project but without other partners the viability of this proposal is questionable Ry for supplementary um I thank the member for his his response there um just could you provide some more detail just in terms of the parental leave um especially for those caring for a child with a disability Clark so the commissioner has looked at this in detail but in the first instance um the first one that the commission is bringing forward is and consideration is for maternity paternity adoption uh in the first instance we think this would be easier and less complicated but the commissioner is going to do another piece of work following this for other opportunities in terms of General leave for members particularly with parental UH responsibilities or indeed secondness but we believe that work will be slightly more complex will take a longer period of time to get us that work through so in the short term we’re actually going for the uh those other ones that have already indicated call Andre McMurray question 10 please n McAllister I thank the member for his question financial assistance for members is provided under the provisions of the assembly members salaries and expenses determination ni 2016 as amended by the assembly members salary as un expenses Amendment determination an 2020 the this determination enables members to recover those costs incurred on carry carrying out their assembly duties including providing constituent Services through the establishment of a constituency office currently members may claim the cost of making adjustments to the constituency office for persons with a disability which were not covered in the terms of the lease these may be claimed either from The constituency Office operating expenses otherwise referred to a COA and establishment expenses provision these alliances are capped either at 7,000 annually for Co or at 4,000 over the course of a mandate for establishment expenses the provisions of the determination are such that it does not prescribe the nature of adjustments that may be claimed for so this should be taken to cover any cost required but not covered in the terms of the lease the financial assistance provided under the determination is to cover the cost that members incur wholly and exclusively in carrying out their assembly duties while the determination make specific reference to adjustments at the office this should not be taken to be exclusively the only cost that may be be claimed should a member incur other costs associated with providing constituency services to people with disabilities these costs may also be claimed from the annual cooe budget this may include but not be limited to sign language or interpretation Services M Murray for supplementary H thank you uh de speaker uh what plans are there to consider further adoptions to parment buildings to improve accessibility um I thank thank the member for his question um the commission is very aware of the need to ensure the parliament buildings is accessible for people with disabilities and a number of alterations and improvements have been carried out for that purpose in recent years including the installation of external and internal access ramps alterations to staircases and lifts the installation of The Changing Places facility and upgrading of hearing Loop systems and the provision of automatic opening doors in the basement ground floor and first floor corridors the head of facilities management has commenced discussions with the Department of Finance property division on the commissioning of a disabled access survey to determine if there are further improvements that should be made to enhance accessibility within Parliament buildings and following completion of this survey Building Services will examine possible improvements and consult with members as necessary call Shen mclin question 11 please uh Robbie berler thank you Mr Deputy speaker I thank the member for for her question under the terms and conditions of the contract which commenced in January 2023 staff employed in Parliament buildings for the delivery of catering cleaning and porterage and related help desk services are directly employed by Aramark therefore terms and conditions of employment are a matter solely for arar staff were PID in line with our Mark’s RIS of pay submitted as part of its successful tender Bid And if necessary when the living wage rate per hour is statute statut reviewed as such discussions on pay enhancement for staff are exclusively between armar and their employees CL for supplementary um thank you for answer answer will the commission ensure that any contractors engaged um to deliver um these Services catering and cleaning services are assessed on on the terms and conditions that they offer their employees um I think we need to be to show leadership there and I think that you know if we are promoting within the economy Vision um good jobs that we need to make sure that we have a framework for assessing any contractors on on on that criteria quick reply Mr Butler please thank you uh Mr Deputy speaker thank the member for her supplementary the commission obviously takes a number of considerations when we’re discussing these things one of those was actually a number of contractual options including bringing the staff providing the services on the employment of the assembly commission or in house these were included in the business case considered by the assembly commission but that the option wasn’t selected as the assembly the commission does not POS possess the expertise neither the technology or the external Upstream Partners but the members point is is on is a good one and that’s one that we will take back to the commission to ensure that it’s something that we consider in every negotiation thank you members that concludes questions to the assembly commission members uh item five on the order paper the adjournment the question is that the assembly do not adjourn and in conjunction with the business committee the speaker has given leave to Robbie Butler to raise the matter of traffic chaos affecting villages in Lagan Valley I call Robbie Butler who is up to 15 minutes thank you Mr Deputy speaker I don’t need to move this did I just get up and and make my debate yes yep thank you I’ll let you let me change change chairs if that’s okay it’s okay we got the Min I think we’re good to go okay he 15 minutes thank you uh Mr Deputy speaker and I thank the minister for giving us his time here today and thank you to those that have turned up today to discuss an issue that strikes at the very heart of community safety and societal wellbeing and as the traffic chaos around Villages particularly in Lagan Valley but right across Northern Ireland and today I’m going to speak particularly in regard to Royal hillsbor MOA and raore lean Valley as we all know and I know the minister will know is renowned for its beauty and its Vibrant Community spirit that these very qualities are under threat from an escalating traffic crisis that demands our immediate attention attention I want to begin however by addressing a tragedy that deeply affected us all that was the heartbreaking loss of a one-year-old baby boy in Moira in 2023 this devastating incident is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to enhance pedestrian safety across all of our Villages and in particularly those in Lagan valleys we’re discussing today but tragically it’s not an isolated case and numerous other serious accidents and an alarming number of daily near misses underscore at the dangerous conditions of our roads since 2016 I’ve have consistently raised concerns with the Department regarding the volume of heavy Goods Vehicles traveling through kavi via Royal Hillsboro and the impact of these large vehicles on our narrow roads is profound they P significant risks to pedestrians cyclists and other motorists and their presence is simply incompatible with the quaint pedestrian friendly nature of our Villages the history uh the historic village of Moira is hampered on a daily basis by horrendous traffic cues which extend way back onto the M1 country bind this evidently is not what anyone wants and I know it’s not what the minister wants drivers set for hour an hour or more to travel half a mile and cars tail back onto the motorway and it’s simply increasing driver and traffic risk it’s bad for the environment and it’s hugely inconvenient on street parking is another critical issue which is worsen by the Limited availability of off street parking in Moira hillsbor andore this situation creates dangerous conditions with Park cars obstruct visibility and forc pedestrians to navigate perilously close to moving traffic every day the safety of our residents especially children and the elderly is compromised the regrettable consequences of the draft Bap plan have further exacerbated our challenges this plan has led to what can only be described as uncontrolled Building without the necessary infrastructure to support the additional pressures on our roads and the result is increased traffic volume and congestion which places an unsustainable strain on our already overburdened Road Network we must confront the reality that unless we find solutions to alleviate this chaos we risk hastening the deterioration disruption and collapse of our roads Pathways environment and waterways so how can we continue to call Lagan Valley one of the most desirable places to live in Northern Ireland when our resident safety is continually at risk but to address these pressing issues we need a comprehensive and immediate strategy that in that includes an enhanced uh traffic cing measures implementing perhaps speed bumps chicanes and other traffic cing solutions to reduce vehicle speeds particularly in residential areas and their schools hdv restrictions enforcing stricter regulations on the movement of htvs through Villages and vage centers to mitigate the risks that they POS improv Parking Solutions developing additional off- street parking facilities to alleviate on street parking chaos infrastructure development which ensures that any future development is accompanied by S uh necessary infrastructure to support increased traffic including better Road designs and pedestrian Pathways most importantly perhaps or certainly up there is community engagement which would involve local residents in the planning process to ensure their voices are heard and their safety prioritizing new me the member for lean Valley is with me today um Mr honeyford we were at a a residence meeting in hillsbor last week where the overriding call that they made was for that Community engagement regular safety audits conducting regular safety audits of our roads and Pathways to identify and address potential hazards promptly but as I close uh I just want to honor again the memory of those we’ve lost by committing today to make our roads safer particularly around Lagan Valley and it’s not just a matter of convenience it’s a matter of life and death together we can work towards a future where the beauty of Lagan Valley is matched by the safety and well-being of its residents I believe we must act now uh to preserve the charm and appeal of our Villages ensure that Lagan Valley remains a desirable and safe place to live for generations to come and I once again thank the minister uh for his attendance and I look forward to hearing his response and I call in Paul given Deputy speaker and um on speaking on this issue I I want to highlight as about some concerns and but also to point to where there has been significant progress that has been made in Lagan Valley over the years and um of course there have been fatalities and all of those as a family that have been deeply impacted and there have been people who have been seriously injured uh on our roads throughout the Lagan Valley constituency uh it’s about how we then seek to find those Solutions working with the department for infrastructure um Community organizations and also when it comes to how you develop new housing areas and how you can tie in developer L schemes when I was first elected um back in 2010 um and speaking in this house one of the biggest areas that we campaigned upon was the ld1 development Zone in lisbourne and that was along the Prince William nocore Road where we had thousands of houses given an approval and as part of the condition attached to that was to improve Junctions the balander uh nocore Road Crossroads the Prince William knockmore Road Junction the Bal MH Prince William knockmore Junction were three significant Junctions that were tied in to a condition of that development and those conditions were not enforced and this actually goes back when I met with Danny Kennedy who was the minister at the time and I wasn’t able to get the progress that was needed back then so that’s how far back this goes and houses continued to be developed despite being in breach of that condition and the planning Authority wasn’t uh enforcing it and then it transferred to the local councils who took own responsibility they didn’t enforce it and then you had this exponential increase in traffic volumes so over the years we then engaged to try and get those Junctions improved and I remember going past that balander road Junction and a Gentleman had just been knocked over and sadly passed away and I can visualize looking at that body as I drove past frustrated that we still hadn’t improved that Junction we got the junction improved we worked with the road service they work with um the then road service as it was called the developer designed the scheme traffic lights all put in much safer then we got to the Prince William knock Road Junction beside Laurel Hill Community College again it was this was a multi-million pound enhancement we got it delivered then at the Prince William Bal mcash Road only in the past number of weeks completed another major scheme which we then tied into a housing development in the balam MH area in order to achieve that so whilst I certainly agree there is traffic problems within the Lagan Valley constituency it’s about how you go about finding Solutions I’ve worked over the years with colleagues to get those Solutions but more needs to be achieved and I look at those three major Junction improvements I look at the North feder lisburn Road that was put in many years ago all of them were developer Le contributions they weren’t funded by the taxpayer none of them and so the question and the challenge I think is why are all these schemes being funded by Developers on the one hand I agree but on the other it also adds cost to purchasing the house so we need to look at the balance between developer Le and publicly funded to the credit of the road service and department for infrastructure I think now of the balander crossroads with the lasso Money Broom Road a dangerous Junction Road Service stepped in widened it has significantly improved that to provide safety and I think there’s examples where the taxpayer is stepping in and changing have been made but I do share the frustration when I see the daily commute through Moira to Marin to doingin and on into luran and I think of the Lost opportunity as there has been a significant increase in housing not to have had a bypass put in place in Moira that isn’t there so are we ever going to have a publicly funded bypass put in place I certainly would support it but I also know the significant expenditure that would be involved in that I know from the public meeting in hillsbor my colleague Jonathan Buckley was there and addressed um those that were in attendance and again we recognize the frustration that residents um were outlaying around future Housing Development and this is the balance allowing development in areas but knowing that it creates an increased Demand on an already overstretched um roads Network and how do we make that safe for people so there are the challenges I know the min will want to support us in Lagan Valley to try and address some of these issues um so there has been good work there are challenges that remain but I’m certainly committed in working alongside the minister and colleagues to find those Solutions because that’s what the public expect of us in Lagan Valley not just to point out the problem but to identify the solution thank you Paul and I Call On David hyford and you have up to seven minutes okay thank you uh Deputy speaker I I welcome this debate and I welcome uh the comments that Robbie and Paul have said around the the law the and and associate myself with the comments I around the loss and and uh devastating circumstances last year in in in Moira and and there’s been others around the area we as been said we have a real problem in our in our villages in Lagan Valley and that’s evidently seen in in hillsb am where but it’s also other problems and other traffic issues in in in other in other Villages and this isn’t a problem that has happened all of a sudden this is the outworking of decisions to build and extend housing in these Villages 20 25 years ago but importantly it’s not the building of of houses it’s building the without the vision and and upgrading of the infrastructure to support those houses around the area large amounts of land was zoned for housing without adequate public transport investment or connections or road infrastructure capable of carrying the levels of traffic and Paul just mentioned the Moira and the the bypass you that I appreciate and would always support something needs to be done there but that it’s it’s like we we’re doing it after we’re doing this after rather than this should have happened first and it’s that vision of putting in the the infrastructure first and the an lion heising rather than the other way around our village centers are just been expected to to be able to cope and and hillsbor it’s been destroyed by heavy Goods Vehicles using the main main street as a as the shortest route through you know these streets were designed to carry a horse and cart they’re Georgian buildings that were built without foundations uh so they vibrate whenever the large lores travel through there and I appreciate there’s lores that need to do to drop off goods and and and things to the businesses there but there are others and the majority of these are using this as a as a as a way through and something has got to be done I know that’s something that the the minister has on his desk is certainly something that we’ve raised previously with the with the permanent secretary but even even in new housing areas and and I have to compliment dfy in this in a there was a stretch a road and there was a weight limit on the road and and heavy Goods Vehicles were using that uh as the because it was the simplest easiest way for them to get now this was a distri distribution company that just down the road that also provide a lot of jobs uh and employment for the area so it’s that it’s that balance and DFI did do their credit upgrade that road and sort the problem and a lot the the the residents to to live in peace with the with the road upgraded uh but that should have been done within a planning process previously it shouldn’t be retrospectively having been done and when we look at the new local development plan that came through we have zoned a large amount of land at blis which is effectively creating a new Village in in in Lan Valley and there’s a new Link Road plan from from sprit field up to the mo Road up the top off the top of my head that lands approximately 3 3 and half th000 houses to be built a single developer came forward with an application for New Road and building a house and approximately half of that land and I I supported the road application but I actually went up against the in the planning process uh actually it was the the the dup mp uh and at that time or still um the for the housing I went against the housing application and and the reason what was simply that we’re we’re starting a problem here again we’ve got a problem in hillsb MOA and everywhere else and here we go yet again from the start we’re hitting out we’re building houses outside of a development plan there was some of those houses were on a flood plane we we we were given too much economic land over to to to housing so we were losing opportunity for jobs and but fundamentally we weren’t providing any social housing in the area at all was The Proposal now they did compromise and come to 10% which is still Way Beyond what is needed in in our area and secondly there was no school profession or GP profis so that wider infrastructure for a new community that we’re building was been completely lacking and we have our a problem in our Villages because of those decisions 20 years ago and we can’t start that cycle uh again and I appreciate that the department did call that in an overturn that decision but s and I and our Council team and and and to be fair every every elected member in Lan Valley has been trying to to raise these issues and bring Solutions hillsbor the weight limit is a is is something that could be I think simply um implemented by the department it was previously the minister had um or the previous Minister had agreed to that um to happen and it it didn’t happen it didn’t uh it didn’t I think this place collapsed and it didn’t happen and then then we have parking problems there as well and and we need to to look at that if we’re using Hillsboro as a tourist thing we need to look at parking and been able to get in and out of that Village in a in a much simpler easier fashion and we’ve we’ve had residents with the permanent secretary uh when this place wasn’t running or function and and S and I have lobbied hard on on these but you know Moira and I’m going to raise it again because I I can raise it every time but that connectivity between the village and the train station extending that parking ride we absolutely fundamentally support and needs to happen as soon as possible but we also need to link The Village to that parking right so people can walk and cycle safely and in in a lit environment um to try and give a solution to using the car that where public transport is an offering that is um available and easy to access uh I know and there’s no quick easy act you know Paul’s mentioned the bypass and it’s not a simple thing to do it’s not and we we appreciate but there are things that can be done to to help and I think we should be doing all that we can to to to get the work and give a safe environment for everybody thank you Deputy speaker uh thank you very much indeed uh Deputy speaker I want to thank uh Mr Butler for instigating this important debate on traffic issues affecting villages in the L valy constituency and thank those other members who have contributed the two key transport cars across the area the am1 and the A1 connect lagon volley to the regional strategic transport Network which provides longdistance connections to our cities or main towns and to Major gateways the balast Dublin Railway line also interacts intersects Lagan Valley offering access not only to balast and Dublin but also other locations such as near lisbourne Banger andary the roots are strategically important to the economy of our Island and also to the business and residents however while bringing economic benefits the popularity of these roads also contributes to some of the traffic issues outlined by members in this debate by Le and Valley uh benefits from these transport connections accessibility to Across the north it’s a pro its proximity to the Belfast metropolitan area also means that there are many people traveling through lean Valley as a gateway to Bost I’m wor this bring challenges in relation to the high traffic volumes in those Villages that are really close close to key Junctions with the A1 and am1 respectively most notably in Royal hillsbor and Mara when much of the traffic in these Villages is locally generated there is still a significant proportion of traffic which passes through the villages to access the A1 and am1 routes I’m acutely aware of how excessive traffic volumes can adversely affect residents enjoyment of their own areas and I fully acknowledge the frustration of commuters and their local community who are impacted by this our turn and Villages of members have said should be pleasant and more importantly safe places to live and work turning to Road Safety one of the consequences of high traffic volumes in our towns and Villages that concerns me most is the impact on road safety Road Safety is an issue that impacts all of us in our everyday lives while we have personal responsibility to travel in a way that keeps ourselves safe we must also appreciate our shared responsibility to others Road users my Department’s role in contributing to that responsib ility is very important to me on road unfortunately Road Safety to statistics have been following a very worrying Trend last year 71 people died on our roads this is the highest figure in the past eight years and significantly higher than 2022 when 55 lost their lives I’m also aware of the number of serious road traffic collisions that have occurred across Len Valley in recent years at the Forefront of our mind and members of mansion is the tragic death of an infant in Mara in 2023 I knew the family and I know the devastating consequences that has had on that family every life lost is a tragedy for those involved and this is why Road Safety is one of my highest priorities as infrastructure Minister one of the best ways to ensure safety on our roads and fulfill long-term goal of eliminating death and serious injury by 2050 is by changing Road user Behavior as Road users we have all personal responsibility to behave in a way that keeps our safe elves and other sta the sad reality is that if we not change our own attitudes when using the roads our death tot will continue to rise historically our transport network has been designed for the private C however there’s Global acceptance that this is approach is no longer sustainable and a more sustainable mode of Transport should be promoted our our transport system is a key enabler and is critical for most aspects of our lives and I’m am very aware of the impact that excessive TR congestion C can have on residence particularly in terms of accessibility air quality and noise to help address these issues May department is developing a transport strategy and a suite of Transport plans that will set a framework for making transport policy and investment decisions up to 2035 the plans will able will aim to drive improvements to our transport Network and favor sustainable modes such as active Travel and Transport plans in developing these transport plans we will consider High transport can support safe inclusive and connected towns and Villages including those in lean volley I’m very aware and sympathetic of the long-standing desire of Royal Hillsburg residents to reduce the volume of hgv traffic going through the village primarily with a view to improving Road Safety but also to reduce the impact these vehicles have on the local environment within hillsbor I understand that over the past few years there has been a number of proposals to implement a weight limit in the Village in order to reduce the volume of hgv traffic and I am aware that the most recent suggestion proposed a weight limit for the whole village including corway road uh on Port of corray such a proposal would require HS to divert on to other local roads around the village to only to fully understand the impact of this proposal May officials have commissioned an assessment of suitability of the possible alternative routes for hgv traffic this work will help inform the relative merits of the weight limit proposals in particular the impacts on road safety both within the village and on the surrounding Road networks I am pleased to inform members that the alternative route study was carried out in June and I expect the outcome of this assessment to be with my officials by Autumn this year and I will report to members on its findings in in regards pedestrian Crossings as I mentioned earlier Road Safety is one of my highest priorities I’m aware that within the past 3 years there have been two road traffic collisions in Hillsboro which have resulted in serious injuries to pedestrians and I am also aware that an elderly lady was injured by hgv in October last year I fully uh appreciate the importance of having safe pedestrian Crossings facilities within the village I understand that lisbourne and Castle city council are taking forward a proposal for public real scheme in the village and developing the scheme May officials have and will continue to work with the council to to provide enhanced pedestrian facilities within the village I am also aware that a meeting with official last November res representatives from the local Village District committee requested the provision of controlled Crossings of three locations in the village including on the Main Street at the ply in and the local primary school I am pleased to report that my officials have recently carried out pestan Crossing surveys and are now considering the findings of these surveys to ascertain the most appropriate locations for enhanced pestering facilities within the village turning to Mara I’m also aware of the long-standing concerns of Mara residence by traffic ingestion on road safety in the village in Mara I note there have been 15 reportable collisions within the village in the last three years and five of these have resulted in death or Serious injury I’m extremely worrying statistic though as all members know behind every statistic is a person not a f my Department’s focus in recent years has been on mitigating the effects of through traffic on the village and improving Road Safety May officials commission Consultants to consider options to improve traffic flow within Mara especially during the morning and evening Pig times and as a result carried out the signalization of the Main Street Meeting Street Junction on road marking scheme to provide right turn Pockets into local retail sites on a garage Outlet between backwood Road and Old Kilmore Road Junction in addition to this my officials are currently considering how the road layout can be improved at the junction of Meeting Street and me Street in the village the future transport needs of Mara Village will be considered as the part of the Eastern transport plan being developed by May Department the plan will take into account uh the growth and Ambitions of lisbourne and cast city council and other councils in the catchment area as has been mentioned uh earlier in the debate we have to work towards with a plan in mind rather than simply adding on and adding on without a plan the plan will be in con Advan in conjunction with the local development plans of the five councils which includes lisburn and Castle city council and will be subject to full public consultation further information regards can be found in my Department’s website in the meantime my in the interim my officials will continue to monor traffic and road safety issues within the village in closing I’d like to thank Robbie for bringing the German debate to the house and for all those who have contributed to the debate this evening I can sh members I will continue to work with them and the local community within langland Valley to carry whatever measures we can within the limited resources and finances that are available to my department to improve road safety and improve the the the life the lifestyles of those people who live within the Villages of uh Lan volley thank you thank you and may I thank the minister and those who took part in the debate uh ladies and gentlemen the assembly is now adjourned the assembly is adjourned assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed assembly chamber signed assembly chamber [Music] signed 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