Mawrth, 23 Ebrill 2024
The Assembly met at 10:30 am (Speaker [Mr Poots] in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence.
There is no Speaker's Business, so we will move straight to Members' Statements. As usual, there will be no interventions.
I rise to speak as the Chair of the all-party group on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to congratulate Dr Rosemary Coogan on being selected for the final stage of her...
I am very concerned that Downpatrick has been identified as one of the areas that is under the greatest pressure with regard to special educational needs. That is extremely worrying. Too many...
On 6 February, the Isle of Man Government launched a consultation on a proposal to close vast areas of their fishing grounds, which the Northern Ireland trawl fleet has fished for generations....
I want to put on record my frustration at the ongoing delays in the interdepartmental working group between the Executive Office and the Department of Health bringing forward any meaningful work...
I welcome warmly the news that we are going to have a Test cricket match at Stormont. That is wonderful news. Cricket is a sport that has a proud and really fascinating history on this island. I...
Today, I rise again to speak on behalf of classroom assistants. Classroom assistants deserve fair pay and conditions. They have been waiting too long, and they cannot wait any longer. It is time...
I stand to celebrate the success of Rathcoole Primary School and Nursery Unit at the Families First Awards, which took place on Saturday evening. Rathcoole Primary School was given three separate...
I rise to draw attention to the deepening concern felt in my area about the lack of capacity in ward 6 of the Thompson House unit in the Mid Ulster Hospital site, or, as it is still commonly...
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) has recorded, for week 15 of 2024, that we have breached over 500 excess deaths, with 502. To put that in context, we have been...
I pay tribute to the memories of three victims who died on the A5 — three members of the one family. The first-year anniversary of their deaths will be this week, on Saturday 27 April. On...
Today, across the UK devolved regions, there is a campaign by the Brain Tumour Charity to ask all locally devolved Health Ministers to introduce a national brain tumour strategy. In late...
Last night, the Parliament of the United Kingdom completed the passage of the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill. I do not think that it will deliver the stopping of the boats, but...
Joined by other Members, I attended a service on Sunday in Killyman church to remember eight members of the Royal Black Institution in that small area who were murdered by terrorists during the...
Peter McReynolds has sought leave to present a public petition in accordance with Standing Order 22. The Member has up to three minutes in which to speak.
I call the Minister of Health, Mr Robin Swann, to move the Consideration Stage of the Hospital Parking Charges Bill. Moved. — [Mr Swann (The Minister of Health).]
I beg to move That this Assembly notes with concern NISRA's 2024 report on 'Drug-related and drug misuse deaths', which found a significant increase in the number of deaths attributed to drugs...
Question 1 has been withdrawn.
2. Mr Brett asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the development of a national training centre by the Irish Football Association (IFA). (AQO 324/22-27)
3. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister for Communities what steps are being taken to ensure the award of intimidation points for social housing is not abused. (AQO 325/22-27)
4. Mr Gildernew asked the Minister for Communities whether he will extend the benefit cap welfare supplementary payment beyond March 2025. (AQO 326/22-27)
5. Ms Egan asked the Minister for Communities what financial support will be available for people from Northern Ireland competing in the Paralympic Games. (AQO 327/22-27)
7. Mrs Dodds asked the Minister for Communities to outline the amount of financial support provided to the faith-based sector in the past five years. (AQO 329/22-27)
I call Sorcha Eastwood.
9. Mr Beattie asked the Minister for Communities to outline what impact the challenges faced by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) has on his Department’s ability to achieve its plans to build...
11. Ms Bunting asked the Minister for Communities whether he will consider reviewing the relevant policies and sanctions to enable the Housing Executive to deal more effectively with persistently...
T1. Mr McCrossan asked the Minister for Communities, in light of the fact that, at its meeting last week, the Committee for Communities was told that temporary promotions were given in DFC only...
T2. Mr Honeyford asked the Minister for Communities to explain the delay with the Casement Park project and, with the tender documents for Casement Park having been ready and with him for almost...
T3. Mr McAleer asked the Minister for Communities whether he will consider reviewing the policy that he referred to in a reply to a recent question, in which he said that the regeneration focus...
T4. Mr Mathison asked the Minister for Communities to confirm a time frame for when local government remote meetings regulations will be brought to the Assembly, further to the papers on the...
T5. Mr Brett asked the Minister for Communities, following the closure of the boiler replacement scheme by his Department before Christmas, for an update on his plans to introduce a new boiler...
T6. Mr Kingston asked the Minister for Communities to outline the support provided by his Department to fulfil the long-held desire of the community in the Westland estate in North Belfast to...
T7. Ms Sheerin asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the sexual orientation strategy. (AQT 217/22-27)
T8. Miss McAllister asked the Minister for Communities, who will be aware that his Department granted a licence for exploratory work at Milltown cemetery, in the area at the bottom of the...
T9. Mr Brooks asked the Minister for Communities to outline his Department’s plans to advance an empty homes strategy. (AQT 219/22-27)
Debate resumed on amendment to motion: That this Assembly notes with concern NISRA's 2024 report on 'Drug-related and drug misuse deaths', which found a significant increase in the number of...
I beg to move That this Assembly commends the vital contribution of foster carers throughout Northern Ireland; believes that the provision of a safe, loving and nurturing home can transform the...
In conjunction with the Business Committee, the Speaker has given leave to Sorcha Eastwood to raise the redevelopment of, and investment in, the Maze/Long Kesh (MLK) site. I call Sorcha Eastwood,...
