Northern Ireland Assembly, 3 March 2025

325 contributions from 69 members. The official report.

Assembly Business

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Before we begin, I extend a warm welcome to the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Éireann, Verona Murphy TD, who is making her first official visit to Parliament Buildings and is present in the Speaker's Gallery. I know that she is used to a more rumbustious outfit than we have at Stormont, but that is no excuse for Members to start misbehaving today. I am sure that Members will all be on their best behaviour. Ms Murphy, we sincerely welcome you today and thank you for your attendance.

Members' Statements

Pat Sheehan (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Tá tús curtha ag peileadóirí agus iománaithe Aontroma ar a bhfeachtais sraithe náisiúnta, agus tá cluiche Chraobh Uladh le himirt sa bhaile i gcoinne churaidh na hÉireann, Ard Mhacha.

Bhí cluiche na craoibhe le himirt in ionad baile Aontroma — Páirc Mhic Ásmaint ó cheart. Ina áit sin, imríonn foirne Aontroma i bPáirc Uí Chorragáin. Ach tá fadhb ann, nó níl Páirc Uí Chorragáin mór go leor don fhreastal mhór daoine a bhfuiltear ag dréim leis. Ar an drochuair, in áit dul chun páirce le curaidh na hÉireann, bhí ar imreoirí, ar bhainisteoireacht agus ar bhord Aontroma dul i mbun feachtais eile in aghaidh an athraithe ionaid a bhí beartaithe, rud a d’fhágfadh foireann Aontroma faoi mhíbhuntáiste. D'aontaigh Coiste Uladh an tseachtain seo caite go n-imreofaí an cluiche i gContae Aontroma, rud a thabharfadh an buntáiste baile do fhoireann Aontroma, mar ba cheart. Ní bheadh sé sin ina fhadhb dá mbeadh Páirc Mhic Ásmaint réidh.

Bliain eile, séasúr eile, moill eile ar fhorbairt Pháirc Mhic Ásmaint.

Tá níos mó i gceist le Páirc Mhic Ásmaint ná staid de chuid CLG ag painéil an chontae: is mol pobail í, is buaicphointe do Ghaeil óga í, agus é mar aidhm acu cluiche a imirt inti an lá is faide anonn.

Bhíothas le cluiche de chuid Euro 2028 a imirt i bPáirc Mhic Ásmaint, plean a chuir sceitimíní ar thoghthóirí, nó chuirfeadh cluiche chomh tábhachtach sin borradh mór eacnamaíochta faoin cheantar. Ba mhór a rachadh an borradh eacnamaíochta sin chun sochair don toghcheantar, chomh maith leis na poist a chruthófaí de thairbhe lucht leanúna spóirt agus lucht freastalta ceolchoirmeacha.

Ach fealladh ar na gealltanais a tugadh, agus is léir uaidh sin gur bealadh taobh amuigh de bhéal a thugtar dár gcluichí, dár gcultúr agus dár bpobal.

Níl aon mhoill le déanamh sa scéal seo. Ní mór Páirc Mhic Ásmaint a fhorbairt chomh luath agus is féidir.

Pat Sheehan (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

[Translation: Antrim footballers and hurlers have begun their national league campaigns and are due to play the all-Ireland champions, Armagh, in the Ulster Championship game at home. The championship fixture was to have been played at Antrim’s home venue — Casement Park. Instead, Antrim are playing in Corrigan Park. However, there is a problem, as Corrigan Park is not big enough for the numbers expected. Unfortunately, instead of preparing to host the all-Ireland champions, the Antrim players, management and board have had, yet again, to campaign against a proposed change of venue removing Antrim’s home advantage. Last week, the Ulster Committee agreed to allow the game to be played in County Antrim, with Antrim having a home advantage, as they should. That would be no issue if Casement Park were ready. Another year, another season, another delay in the development of Casement Park. Casement Park is more than just a GAA stadium for our county panels: it is a community hub, a beacon that young Gaels aspire to play in one day. Casement Park was provisionally planned to host a Euro 2028 game, a plan that filled constituents with excitement, as the prospect of hosting a game of that magnitude would have acted as a massive economic boost to the area. The economic boost, as well as job creation, from sports fans and concert-goers alike, would have been huge for the constituency. The reneging on the commitments and reassurances given is a clear indication of the lip service paid to our games, our culture and our community. There can be no more delay in developing Casement Park.]

David Brooks (DUP, Belfast East)

I welcome the Prime Minister's resolute commitment to Ukraine, as demonstrated by the announcement of a £1·6 billion support package that includes the provision of over 5,000 air defence missiles that will be manufactured right here in East Belfast. That initiative not only reinforces our dedication to international peace and European security but carries significant implications for our workforce in Northern Ireland.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine is not a distant concern, and the overwhelming support for Ukraine has been clear across our communities and the UK since the beginning of the conflict. The missiles that are destined for Ukraine's defence will be manufactured by Thales in its Castlereagh facility. Members will have noted that that is projected to create 200 jobs and sustain hundreds more, thus invigorating our local economy and reaffirming Northern Ireland's pivotal role in global defence manufacturing. I welcome that as a constituency MLA and as the deputy chair of the all-party group (APG) on aerospace, defence, security and space, which was established by and is chaired by my colleague Steve Aiken.

Thales's presence in Belfast has long been a cornerstone of our defence industry. The company's expertise in producing high-precision weaponry, including the renowned STARStreak, which is a lightweight, multirole missile system, has positioned it as a clear leader in the defence sector. Perhaps none of its products has been more renowned than the next generation light anti-tank weapon (NLAW), which became such a symbol of Ukrainian resistance in the early stages of the illegal Russian invasion. It gave local communities significant pride to know that that was Belfast's contribution to opposing tyranny. The recent surge in demand has led to a doubling of production at Thales's Northern Ireland facilities, with expectations of further growth. The collaboration between Thales and the UK Government exemplifies the synergy between public commitment and private industry. The Government's strategic investment not only bolsters Ukraine's defence capabilities but ensures the sustainability and expansion of our local industries. The partnership highlights the indispensable role that our skilled workforce plays in addressing global challenges.

The development is a testament to the dedication and world-leading expertise of the employees of Thales in Northern Ireland, who contribute to the defence of sovereignty and preservation of peace on an international scale. Their products are symbols of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, embodying our collective stand against aggression and support for democratic values. Moreover, the initiative serves as a catalyst for economic growth in our community. The creation of new jobs and the reinforcement of existing ones will have a ripple effect that will benefit not only those who are employed directly by Thales but the broader local economy.

The Prime Minister's statement underscores a broader vision for Europe's security architecture. His determination to assemble a coalition of willing nations to support Ukraine, while underlining the necessity of US backing and continuing cooperation with our closest ally, is welcome. There is a need for European nations to contribute more significantly to the region's defence and perhaps a greater need for those who have been freeloading under a guise of neutrality for so long to pay more than lip service to the defence of democratic values.

Connie Egan (Alliance, North Down)

I rise to speak of the absolute necessity of expanding the scope of the pending Southport public inquiry to include in its terms of reference Northern Ireland and other nations across the UK. What happened in Southport last summer was evil, senseless and incomprehensible. We all must learn lessons to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. Three little girls, Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, were horrifically murdered, and 10 more were injured by an individual who had previously been referred three times to the anti-extremism programme, Prevent. It is clear that there were failings, and a public inquiry is needed.

As well as looking at that individual case, the inquiry will examine the wider issue of youth violence and extremism. That is a challenge that is, sadly, common across the UK. The online world is constantly growing and uncontrollable, filtering in extremism and facilitating actions of violence across all our communities. Entrenched attitudes of racial hatred and social media misinformation have reached the phones of our young people. There are no borders in online spaces, and very few ways to police and stop the spread of such toxic content.

Youth violence and extremism have unique characteristics in Northern Ireland, where we see our local young people being groomed into violence and wider criminality by paramilitary gangs. It is also incredibly relevant to the Executive's strategic framework on ending violence against women and girls as the online world is driving the very violence that we are all dedicated to tackling. It would be an incredibly worthwhile exercise to extend the scope of the pending independent public inquiry to include Northern Ireland, as well as Scotland and Wales, so that we can collaboratively develop a holistic approach to those major challenges. Alliance's MP, Sorcha Eastwood, wrote to the Home Secretary last week to make that clear, and I reiterate that call today.

Steve Aiken (UUP, South Antrim)

Before I start my remarks, I declare an interest as chair of the all-party group on aerospace, defence, security and space.

Last week, in the Oval Office, we saw a dramatic but long-signalled change in our geopolitical world. I am afraid that certainties about our transatlantic relationship, which was first established 82 years ago by a boiler-suited Prime Minister and his US contemporary, are no longer there. Probably rightly, the US complained that Europe has been ignoring its defensive security for far too long. As 'good Europeans', we cannot ignore that reality. On Sunday, the Prime Minister made clear that we are at a once-in-a-generation moment when it comes to the security of Europe. While we must all wish him well in his attempts to create a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, it is difficult to see how it could lead to a peace that the dictator Putin finds acceptable.

No matter the Prime Minister's laudable peace efforts, we will have to rearm, as will the rest of Europe. We know from history that the failure to deter means a much heavier price later on. We in Northern Ireland will have our part to play. The welcome announcement of the £1·5-billion-plus order for Thales is a great start. Our industries have capacity and capability that will be needed. There is much that our R&D sector can and must contribute in everything from cyber, AI and novel materials. There will also be a strategic role when it comes to our food and energy security.

We will also continue to serve with pride in our armed forces, placing ourselves at the forefront of deterrence. However, our Executive cannot be half in, half out. It is regrettable that Sinn Féin and People Before Profit are outliers when it comes to condemning Russia's attacks on Ukraine. Instead, Sinn Féin and Ireland's far-left MEPs have, bizarrely, blamed the West, when they should have been blaming Putin. Our Economy Ministry and Invest NI must not throttle but promote investment in our defence and security sectors. Remember: despite what those parties think, Russia threatens us all, regardless of identity.

It is noteworthy that Ireland, now recognising the threat, is looking to invest in undersea cable protection with the Royal Navy. It is, at last, building an air force that has actual fighter aircraft, and it is becoming more closely integrated with the European defence structures. For that, the Irish Government should be applauded by all parts of the House, as the security of the Republic of Ireland is also our security.

Finally, maybe we can look forward to a joint statement from the First Minister and deputy First Minister, all the Executive parties and the leader of the Opposition that supports the Prime Minister's initiative and welcomes his call for increased defence spending across all these islands. Slava Ukraini.

Sinéad McLaughlin (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I welcome Verona Murphy to the Assembly.

Today marks the beginning of Endometriosis Awareness Month, which highlights an issue that is really close to my heart. One in 10 women will be impacted by endometriosis, which roughly translates to 1·5 million women in the UK. It could impact on anywhere up to 50,000 women in Northern Ireland, yet many are unaware of the condition and the profound impact that it has on the lives of those who are affected.

Nine and a half years: that is the average time that it takes for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis. There is only one specialist endometriosis clinic in Northern Ireland, which is held once a month. Given that fact, it comes as no surprise that it takes so long to be diagnosed. How can there be only one clinic once a month for a condition that progresses so quickly and the prevalence of which is so widespread? Women's healthcare in the North is shocking. Women are expected to deal with endometriosis and other gynaecological conditions with little or no support. They are often told that it cannot be treated or that doctors are not sure what is causing the pain. Women in Northern Ireland deserve better.

Many constituents have reached out to me to detail their healthcare experiences, and, frankly, their stories are deeply upsetting. One of my constituents cried sorely as she spoke of the delayed treatment following her diagnosis, which has prevented her from ever having a child of her own. The really sad part is that a timely diagnosis and treatment would have made that outcome not inevitable. The way the health system has let those patients down is painful, and the consequences of those experiences are often long-lasting. The impact on their loved ones and their families' lives must not be understated. I have met many women who have had to give up their successful careers due to the vicious nature of the spread of the disease to multiple organs in their body.

The lack of women's healthcare in Northern Ireland has resulted in some seeking private healthcare: that is not right. Women should not have to choose between financial strain and accessing gynae healthcare because our health system has failed them. That is why women's healthcare needs to be a priority. This month and beyond, I urge my fellow Members to continue advocating for better healthcare for women in Northern Ireland by raising awareness of the difficulties that women face day in, day out. As we mark Endometriosis Awareness Month, I urge Members to support women to be diagnosed and treated for that debilitating disease in a timely manner so that they can move forward to have fulfilling lives with good health outcomes.

Ciara Ferguson (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Child mental health and access to services is an issue that is close to my heart as a mother, a sister, an aunt and a grandmother. If any one of us were to review the child and adolescent mental health statistics, we would see that the situation is just not acceptable. Consistently, over 2,000 children and young people are waiting for an initial assessment, and over 1,200 are waiting way past nine weeks — sometimes six months and sometimes a year.

The recent statistics for the Western Health and Social Care Trust area, at 31 December 2024, show that 513 children and young people throughout that area are waiting for an assessment, while the figure for the year before was 372. It is not getting any better. Additionally, almost 70% — 353 of the 513 — of those referred to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) are experiencing unacceptable delays in accessing support, with waiting times exceeding the nine-week target. I have written to the Minister of Health to ask for his assessment of those recent statistics, and I am sure that he will share my assessment that any hold-up in that regard is deeply disappointing.

The outworkings of those statistics can have significant consequences for the children and young people who are waiting for help. I speak regularly to parents and grandparents who are watching their loved ones struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, low moods, dealing with bereavement, trauma or emotional difficulties. For young people in crisis, immediate interventions can be paramount to ensuring their recovery. Equally, any considerable delay can discourage them from continuing to seek further much-needed support. Imagine building up the courage to finally ask for help, only to be told that you have to wait, maybe for months.

We know that too many young people are now presenting with high levels of complex need. They deserve effective and timely treatment. We have a duty to alleviate their suffering and support them to continue to flourish in education, support, volunteering, employment, building relationships and life more generally. Whilst the mental health strategy that runs until 2031 commits to the promotion of acting early, preventing mental ill-health and providing the right support at the right time, we should all re-emphasise today the importance of getting to grips with the existing delays that continue to happen. I call on the Minister of Health to ensure that no child is left behind. Much support is needed, and we need to ensure that children and young people are supported to get the right care from the right person at the right time.

Alan Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

I want to wish good luck to Limavady Grammar School's 1st XV rugby team, which will pitch itself in battle against Ballyclare High School at the Kingspan Stadium this Wednesday in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools' Bowl final.

The road to the final was not easy, with the team having battled with Friends' School in the semi-final, eventually winning the contest 12-10, and, at 27-21, the team won against Portadown College in the quarter-final. My understanding is that few, if any, tickets for the game remain such has been the response from the school's pupils, with supporters' buses set to be packed.

I congratulate the team and its coaches for getting this far. I say, "Well done" to all the boys. Enjoy this very special moment in your lives. They should all be very proud of themselves, and, from the Northern Ireland Assembly, Parliament Buildings, I wish you all the very best for your big day on Wednesday, and I hope that you bring the trophy home.

Sian Mulholland (Alliance, North Antrim)

I take this opportunity to correct the record and respond to comments made during last week's private renters debate by a fellow Member for North Antrim. During the debate, Mr Gaston claimed that so-called uncontrolled immigration was driving up rents, particularly in deprived areas, such as in certain parts of North Antrim. That claim is completely false, and it is vital that the Chamber does not allow misinformation to go unchallenged, so let me put the facts on record.

The most recent census data is clear: 86% of all housing in Northern Ireland is occupied by people born here. In North Antrim, that figure actually rises to 88%. In the private rented sector, 72% of tenants across Northern Ireland were born here, rising to 73% in North Antrim. In social housing, 88% of tenants across Northern Ireland were born here, rising to 89% in North Antrim. In owner-occupied housing, the picture is the same: 89% across Northern Ireland, rising to 91% in North Antrim.

If immigration was truly driving up rents, we would expect to see a much higher proportion of private renters being migrants or clear links between migration hotspots and rising rents, and that is simply not the case across the entirety of the Province. The latest official data shows that net migration represents just 0·3% of our 1·9 million population — a tiny fraction. To describe that as uncontrolled is wildly misleading. To suggest that a small number of people could cause a housing crisis is simply not credible.

The answer to the question of what is driving up rents is no mystery. It is a chronic shortage of social housing, rising construction costs, delays in the planning process, water infrastructure that cannot support new development, and, of course, the growing Airbnb effect whereby properties that could house families are instead being turned into short-term lets, which is something that we see across North Antrim. That is the real housing crisis.

Mr Gaston also conveniently ignored the positive contribution that people from other countries make to our society, particularly in North Antrim. A total of 900 migrants work in health and care roles, filling essential vacancies to keep services running. Over 180 migrants in North Antrim work in education, helping to teach our children. Migrants play a vital role in agriculture, hospitality and local businesses, keeping North Antrim's economy afloat, and I thank them for that.

The reality is that racist incidents in Northern Ireland now regularly exceed sectarian incidents. In 2023 alone, there were over 1,300 racist incidents compared with 1,091 sectarian incidents. That is the power of misinformation, demonisation and the othering of our fellow human beings. Blaming immigration for a housing crisis is not just wrong; it is dangerous scapegoating and a deliberate distraction from the real work that the Assembly should be doing. The truth is straightforward: our housing crisis will not be solved by blaming migrants; it will be solved by better decisions, better investment and better government.

Colm Gildernew (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Cheann Comhairle agus roimh na hoifigigh eile ón Dáil chuig an Tionól anseo inniu.

Cuirfear tús ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge inniu, coicís d'imeachtaí bríomhara lena ndéanfar ceiliúradh ar neart na Gaeilge nach bhfuil inse béil air agus ar an áit thábhachtach atá ag an Ghaeilge inár sochaí. Tá an teanga ag borradh léi, agus bíonn sí le feiceáil thart timpeall orainn gach lá, rud a bheadh doshamhlaithe tá tamall beag gairid ó shin féin. Seirbhísí aistriúcháin agus ateangaireachta anseo sa Tionól, comharthaíocht tráchta agus sráide i gcodanna den Cheathrú Ghaeltachta, Acht na Gaeilge, fógraí as Gaeilge ar an chóras iompair phoiblí, straitéisí Gaeilge na gcomhairlí, agus coimisinéir le bheith ann amach anseo; níl iontu sin ach cuid de na céimeanna chun tosaigh atá déanta againn mar shochaí.

Is í an Ghaelscolaíocht an earnáil is mó fás san oideachas. Ní raibh riamh oiread páistí ag roghnú bheith ag foghlaim tríd an Ghaeilge, in ainneoin a mbíonn de dhúshláin roimh scoileanna agus múinteoirí gach aon lá. Sin ráite, ní san oideachas amháin atá fás mór faoin Ghaeilge. Tá méadú suntasach ag teacht ar úsáid na Gaeilge sna healaíona, sa spórt agus inár bpobail ar fud an oileáin.

Agus Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl, molaim do gach duine sult a bhaint as an cheiliúradh is mó sa bhliain ar an Ghaeilge agus ar chultúr na Gaeilge agus páirt a ghlacadh in imeachtaí áitiúla. Tá moladh tuillte ag na daoine sin a d'eagraigh imeachtaí faoi choinne Sheachtain na Gaeilge as a gcuid oibre.

Leanfaimid orainn ag cur na Gaeilge chun cinn lena chinntiú gur féidir le hathbheochan na teanga dul i neart go gasta ar fud an oileáin. Ach ní mór maoiniú cóir a bheith mar chuid de sin.

[Translation: I welcome the Speaker and officials from the Dáil to the Assembly today. Today marks the beginning of Seachtain na Gaeilge, a fortnight of vibrant events celebrating the incredible strength of the Irish language and its important place in our society. The language continues to flourish, and every day we see its visibility around us, something that would have been unthinkable just a short while ago. Translation and interpretation services here in the Assembly, traffic and street signage in parts of the Gaeltacht Quarter, Acht na Gaeilge, announcements in Irish on board public transport, councils’ Irish language strategies, and the commissioner due in the time ahead: those are just some of the steps forward that we have made as a society. Irish-medium education is the fastest growing sector in education, with record numbers of children choosing to learn through the language, despite the range of challenges faced by schools and teachers daily. However, the Irish language has grown well beyond the realms of education, and we are seeing an ever-increasing use of Irish in the arts, in sports and in our communities across the island. During Seachtain na Gaeilge, I encourage everyone to enjoy the largest celebration of Irish language and culture of the year and to take part in local events. Those who have organised events to coincide with Seachtain na Gaeilge are to be commended for their work. Let us keep moving Irish forward to ensure that the energetic revival of the language can continue at pace throughout our island. However, that must include fair funding.]

Diane Dodds (DUP, Upper Bann)

On 22 February, news reports came through that over 70 Christians had been murdered — beheaded — in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to reports from multiple groups that monitor terrorism and persecution, the 70 Christians were beheaded with machetes or other large knives by Islamic militants in the DRC, yet the world remains silent on the slaughter. The 70 Christians were rounded up by Allied Democratic Forces, a group that is said to be affiliated with the terror group Islamic State, or ISIS, according to Open Doors, which monitors Christian persecution around the world. All were reportedly from Mayba in the territory of Lubero and were forced out of their homes on the morning of 13 February, with the rebels telling them to get out, yet the world remains silent.

They were taken hostage and moved to a small Christian church in the village of Kasanga. Inside the building, which, until then, had been considered a sanctuary, they were first tied up, before all 70 of them were beheaded — 70 men, women and children were beheaded — yet the world remains silent. A coordinator of a local community protection committee is quoted by the global fight against terrorism funding organisation as saying:

"70 bodies were discovered in the church. They were tied up",

yet the world remains silent.

While I am an elected Member of the House, I will continue to raise such issues in order to highlight the ongoing persecution of Christians in so many parts of the world. We simply cannot remain silent.

Some Members

Hear, hear.

Jonathan Buckley (DUP, Upper Bann)

Over the past few weeks, we have discussed in the House the deaths of four IRA terrorists who set out with murderous intent to kill police officers. Today, I will talk about the carnage that such gangs created for police families. Forty years ago, on 28 February 1985, the Provisional IRA launched a despicable mortar bomb attack on the police station in Newry. The attack killed nine RUC officers and injured over 40 others. It would become the highest death toll ever recorded or suffered by the RUC. A 50 lb mortar bomb was launched off the back of a lorry on to the top of a Portakabin in which serving officers were having their lunch.

The nine dead officers ranged in age from 19 to 40 years old. Seven of them were male and two female, while seven of them were Protestant and two Catholic.

John Dowd, Denis Price, Alexander Donaldson, Paul McFerran, Ivy Kelly, David Topping, Geoffrey Campbell, Sean McHenry and Rosemary McGookin: officers killed while serving our community. That is the type of action for which the First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, said there was no alternative. Those are the types of officers who face trauma to this day. Forty were injured on that day, and people who set out to do a day's work, protecting communities, were killed. We cannot go silent, folks. We cannot allow the narrative to be rewritten. Those officers set out to protect life. That stands in stark contrast to the actions of the cowards who attempted to take theirs.

That was not the only attack. Following that successful attack in Newry, the IRA carried out a further nine mortar bomb attacks. The loss for the policing family was hugely significant. Those were men and women who had signed up to protect the rule of law. We must never fall silent in honouring their memory. We must never allow the narrative to be rewritten. We must always mark their sacrifice. Over 300 officers were killed during the Troubles. They will never be forgotten.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

You have two minutes, Mr Gaston.

Timothy Gaston (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Last month, we learned that the Information Commissioner's Office had ruled that the councillors behind the illegal call-in to stop the flying of the Union flag at war memorials in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area will not be named. My message is simple: if public representatives are not prepared to be named when it comes to their decisions, they should not be entrusted by the electorate to make those decisions. Transparency and accountability are essential to build public confidence. Allowing those councillors' names to remain hidden further erodes the electorate's trust in their elected representatives.

I will also highlight some facts about the Executive Office and its commitment to respond to FOI requests. In the aftermath of a meeting of the Executive Office Committee for which the First Minister was provided with questions in advance, and during which Mrs O'Neill was shielded from further questioning by the Chair, I lodged two FOI requests: one asking for all information relating to the meeting between the First Minister and the Chair of the Executive Office Committee and another requesting information relating to the decision to request that meeting. That was in November 2024. I was promised a response to my first FOI request by 16 January 2025, and my other request has simply been ignored. More than three months later, TEO has not provided any of the requested information. It is important to remember that FOI requests should be dealt with within 20 days.

Whether at the level of the councils or the First Minister and deputy First Minister, it is time for there to be openness and transparency throughout government in Northern Ireland.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Thank you for sticking to the time, Mr Gaston.

Executive Committee Business

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I beg to move

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 3 March 2025.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Before we proceed to the Question, I remind Members that the motion requires cross-community support.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved (with cross-community support):

That Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4) be suspended for 3 March 2025.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I beg to move

That this Assembly approves the Programme for Government 2024-27, as agreed by the Executive.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

The Business Committee has agreed to allow up to four hours for the debate. The First Minister and deputy First Minister will have up to 40 minutes that they may divide, at their discretion, between moving the motion and making a winding-up speech. The leader of the Opposition will have 10 minutes in which to speak, and all other Members who are called to speak will have seven minutes. I call the First Minister to open the debate.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

[Translation: Thank you, Mr Speaker.]

I also take the opportunity to welcome Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, to the Assembly on such a significant day. It is significant because today is a significant milestone for the Executive as we introduce the finalised Programme for Government (PFG).

On taking up office, we promised to create hope and opportunity. We pledged to work for everyone and reassured people that we would be on their side. We said that we would work together and show that power-sharing could succeed and that, under our leadership, this would be an Executive of partnership and an Executive of progress.

On 3 February, it was one year since devolution was restored and I took up my position as First Minister. Somebody commented on that day that the challenges that so many families face throughout the North are the same no matter where they come from or what they believe. It is those shared problems that we have to focus on. It is those shared problems that blight too many lives and that we can work together on constructively and urgently to address. I also said that, as an Executive, we would not always agree on everything, but there are many things that we will agree on, and those are the things that we should focus on. We agreed that families need support to deal with the cost of childcare. We agreed that our teachers need support and that our public-sector workers need properly paid. We all agree that drugs destroy communities and that the police need resources to put the dealers out of business. We all can agree that economic prosperity is a game changer for every community.

Those are all major issues that face our society and that we are committed to tackling head-on. That is why they are now reflected in the Programme for Government as our priorities. It is a programme that sets out what matters most today. I believe that the Programme for Government shows what we need to prioritise to make this a better place to live, work and invest in. However, we know that, to do that, we must invest in and improve our public services.

Every Member of the Chamber is aware of the challenging financial context in which we are operating. Budgets are exceptionally tight. That is why reform and transformation are central to the Programme for Government. I am pleased to say that good progress has been made to lay the foundations of that transformation. We have established a new delivery unit in the Executive Office to provide support to the Executive in reforming and transforming our struggling public services. That work is underpinned by a £235 million transformation fund that will make much-needed investments to deliver better, more accessible and more efficient public services.

The Programme for Government does not belong to just the Executive; it belongs to every one of us here. We want the plan to deliver for everyone, which is why the consultation period was so important. A total of 1,400 responses was received. That is a greater response than to any previous Programme for Government consultation. We are grateful to every individual and organisation that took the time to respond. Your feedback has helped to strengthen the Programme for Government, because we have listened to what you had to say. As a result, we have introduced targets and annual objectives that will be updated each year in alignment with our Budget. We have stepped up our commitments to all communities and are doing more for older people and rural communities.

As well as our nine priorities, we recognised the need to build new foundations and improve our infrastructure to facilitate delivery. By investing in water and waste water, roads and transport, we will encourage businesses to invest, enable housebuilding and support greater energy efficiency and affordability. Those investments will also improve our sporting infrastructure, help to create a healthier society and attract world-class events.

All of us in the Executive agree that our obligations do not end with this mandate. To realise our vision of a brighter future, it is vital that we lay the foundations needed for longer-term improvements. Shaping a better tomorrow is an important part of the programme. In it, we have set three long-term missions: people, planet and prosperity. Those missions are underpinned by an overarching and cross-cutting commitment to peace. They provide us with a driving ambition for the future and a lens through which to prioritise and ensure that we deliver improved well-being, long-term sustainability and a thriving economy.

(Madam Principal Deputy Speaker in the Chair)

We believe that the Programme for Government reflects the shared ambitions of the Executive, and I commend all Ministers for their commitment and the collaborative approach that they took to the development of the agreement of the programme. The public are relying on each of us to act in their interests. I hope that the Programme for Government shows the public that we are willing to work together to do right by them.

As we continue the vital work of delivery, we want to be open about how we do. That is why we have developed a well-being framework that looks at progress under our missions of "People", "Planet", "Prosperity" and that cross-cutting commitment to peace. We are committed to improving the well-being or quality of life of everyone across our society by keeping track of that information, so that we can always understand where we are, monitor our progress and address the things that matter most. We will update our actions annually. We will keep everyone informed about the Budget position, and we will publish annual reports. We will be open and transparent about the progress that we are making, and we will take every possible step to ensure that the programme is delivering what we set out to do.

We bring the Programme for Government to the House today as another step forward in our efforts to improve people's lives. It is about making a positive difference and making things better for people. We will not be found wanting when it comes to doing everything that we can to deliver for people not only today but into the future. It is, ultimately, for all of us elected here to the Chamber. Politics is about people. It is about working together to make that real and positive difference in people's lives, families' lives, workers' lives and communities' lives. It is about ensuring that no one gets left behind. I will always do everything that I can to support you all in that endeavour. We face tough challenges ahead, no doubt, but we know that. Together, we can make a real difference in improving people's lives. Together, we can build a future for all who call here "home". No matter your background or where you come from, the Executive will have people's backs, and we will do everything that we can to keep leading. Certainly, I am committed to delivering and leading positive change.

Now we need to work together as elected representatives, as Members of the Assembly and across our whole society to get on with the job of delivery. We welcome all contributions from Members today, and we look forward to working collaboratively with you all going forward.

Matthew O'Toole (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I associate myself with the welcome to the Ceann Comhairle, Verona Murphy.

More than 1,000 days since the election and nearly 400 days after the Executive were formed, we have the first Programme for Government since 2011. I was in my 20s then: I am in my 40s now, so that gives a sense of how long we have been waiting. For too long, our politics has been defined by either absence or improvisation. When the institutions were not collapsed, they were cobbled together and then held together by the coincidence of passing party political interest rather than the common good. For half a decade, there was no devolved government, and for none of that decade was there an agreed Programme for Government. The absence of a Programme for Government was both a symptom and a cause of dysfunctionality. In agreeing on the PFG, therefore, the Executive have made progress on the shamefully low bar that was set.

When we in the SDLP entered Opposition, we were determined to be constructive. We have fulfilled that pledge to the extent that the final PFG contains slightly more clarity on certain interventions and targets. It is clear that the presence of an official Opposition has been a force for accountability. However, despite the Executive's desire to be garlanded for simply existing, you do not get a passing grade for showing up to the exam hall. The document contains aspirations that we share, but it is far short of the clear targeted plan that the people of Northern Ireland deserve after so many years of failure. In the First Minister's remarks, warm though they were, I did not hear a single clear target. On days such as this, we need to keep sight of who and what matters and of how we work to make life better for the 1·9 million people whom we serve.

After the PFG fiasco last week, someone got in touch on social media to say that they had been red-flagged for referral to a consultant gynaecologist a year ago. When she phoned recently to ask how long the waiting list was, she was told that it could be years. She and the other hundreds of thousands on waiting lists are not obsessed with the mechanics of politics or process, but they deserve a clear sense of how those who sought and achieved power intend to use it to improve their lives and the services that they rely on.

The programme is better than nothing. It is a modest improvement on the draft, but it is a missed opportunity. It is nowhere near good enough. I say this to the First and deputy First Minister and, indeed, to all Ministers: is this it?

As I said, I acknowledge the areas in which the PFG offers more clarity in its final version than the draft. On social housing, it promises to start work on at least 5,800 new homes. That may be modest and far short of the kind of trajectory needed to deliver the 100,000 new homes promised by previous Sinn Féin Communities Ministers, but it is at least time-bound and measurable.

We also welcome the commitment to create a delivery unit. We will, of course, need to see delivery from the delivery unit.

The key theme of our approach as a constructive Opposition has been asking those with power to take responsibility rather than shift blame. On the economy, the PFG says that it prioritises low productivity but does little to address it, delaying and curtailing phase 2 of Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) and having no plan, despite what the First Minister said, to increase investment in waste water infrastructure. On improving the quality and conditions of work, the Executive are already backsliding. Despite big talk on good jobs, the target for 2027 is simply to have considered the introduction of an employment rights Bill. On the collapsing health service, it is remarkably vague. It promises at least 250,000 assessments or diagnoses this year but then says, a few paragraphs later, that there were 260,000 last year. How will waiting lists and waiting times reduce when the number of people being seen is flatlining or even decreasing?

All too often, in lieu of an actual target, the PFG promises another plan or strategy to follow at some point. For the backlog in special educational needs, they will produce a plan. Perhaps that plan will have a target. Too often, the target is not a target or even a policy or a law to be passed but a post-dated promise for a further plan at some point in the future. Too often, the document is a Russian doll of more documents and more verbiage and more plans. The PFG, for example, promises to implement the Lough Neagh action plan, but that plan was mostly not action but, rather, scoping exercises and reviews. Most frustratingly, the promises on the reform and transformation of public services have utterly lost momentum. The document completely fails to set out any clarity or ambition as to how public services are to be reformed or how the associated bodies, including the public-sector transformation board, will work. By the way, it is still an interim board.

Each of the parties in the Executive sought power and now have it. Yes, they are constrained by coalition. Yes, they are limited by finances. However, those things are true of virtually every democratic government in Europe. The test of Governments is not how well they describe the problems but how they use the power that they have to improve people's lives. Sinn Féin sought and received an historic mandate to lead an Executive, but now there is precious little to show for that beyond symbolism. Having had the Finance Ministry for half a decade, it has made zero progress on devolving fiscal powers, despite constant complaints about our current funding model.

The Budget section in the document is one page. I will hold it up for those who want to see it. There is one page, without a single table or chart and no clarity on whether any of the promises, such as they are, will be funded. There are no promises or pledges on fiscal powers in the PFG, despite our being told repeatedly by Finance Ministers that they want to devolve more fiscal power and that too much power was in London. It goes without saying that we have a 10-year rates review cycle that appears never to be ready to report.

Critically, the document contains shockingly little on cross-border public service delivery, despite lots of words about that. When you compare it with the Southern Programme for Government, as some have done, including in this Chamber, you see that there is barely any reference to the transformative potential of greater cross-border provision; indeed, one of the most significant mentions of the Shared Island Fund comes from a DUP Minister's Department. Page 85, the prosperity section of the document, appears to put two entities that emerged from a secret DUP/Tory deal — the East-West Council and Intertrade UK — on the same footing as the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC), the British-Irish Council (BIC) and InterTradeIreland. Those are bodies that were agreed at multiparty talks and enshrined in treaty. Just as Van Morrison is back playing the blues in Belfast, the DUP appears to be back playing its old tunes and not just in relation to international politics. It is blocking Executive papers and stalling progress on Casement Park and the Irish language. The deputy First Minister shakes her head: perhaps she can clarify that for me in her remarks later.

The Alliance Party also won an historic endorsement at the last election, campaigning heavily on the need to reform Stormont and prevent repeated collapse — there is a lot of agreement between our parties; that is a vital subject — but it appears to have made absolutely no progress on getting the issue into the Programme for Government. Perhaps it made no attempt.

Earning power and taking office have to mean taking responsibility and being held accountable for it. We make no apology for being a constructive but robust Opposition. Given that the First Minister's party is fighting a battle over the rights of the Opposition in the Oireachtas, she will surely agree that opposition matters. If the Irish people deserve constructive opposition on one side of the border, they deserve it on this side of the border.

Our job is to speak for the people and to demand better. They have been failed too often. They deserve delivery, not empty words. They need to be confident that they can access healthcare when they need it. They need to know that their children will be supported to achieve their potential and that there will finally be some attempt to restore our degraded environment. This document does not deliver for them. It is not just a day late and a dollar short; it is a thousand days late, and there is no Budget at all. Every day, in the Chamber and outside it, the SDLP will speak for the people who have been let down for too long, even if it makes others in the Chamber uncomfortable. We will hold others to account for the power that they have sought and received. We will insist on the Executive parties taking responsibility rather than simply shifting blame. Our people deserve so much better. We will speak up for them every day and demand better than this late, limp, listless Programme for Government.

Paula Bradshaw (Alliance, Belfast South)

I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for tabling the motion and for the briefing that the Deputy Chair and I had with them earlier.

I welcome the publication of the 'Programme for Government 2024-27'. It is a long-awaited document — it is more than 10 years since the previous Programme for Government — and the Committee has sought to engage in the development process. In October 2024, the Committee wrote to the other Statutory Committees for their views on the consultation on the Programme for Government. The Committee received responses from the Committee for the Economy; the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs; the Committee for Justice; and the Committee for Infrastructure. The Committee for Communities agreed to give individual party responses. The Committee heard evidence from the Department on the consultation responses and from the Older People's Commissioner on the Programme for Government and received written input from the Youth Assembly. The Committee collated the responses and submitted them to the Executive Office to inform the development of the final Programme for Government. The other Statutory Committees will speak for themselves. The Committee has not yet had the opportunity to meet to discuss the final PFG, so I will confine my remarks to high-level themes from the Committee's work on the consultation.

In relation to monitoring and reporting on the PFG, the Committee is keen to stress that progress has to be measured with relevant indicators, using data with a firm baseline that may be comparable to other jurisdictions. There is also a need to ensure that reporting is based on progress on indicators towards targets under the priorities set out in the Programme for Government. In looking at accountability and transparency, members thought that the PFG should tie Ministers to outcomes and that it should be linked to the Budget. Linking the Budget and the PFG is a challenge, not least because of the differing timescales, and the Committee will explore with officials how that may be achieved. The Committee's view was that a full equality impact assessment (EQIA) should be produced, together with a report on the consultation responses, and requested a copy of that report so that it could be circulated to Assembly Committees before the final PFG was considered. We will follow up on those issues as part of our scrutiny of the PFG.

The Committee's view was that the targets in the PFG should have been set through engagement with the relevant Assembly Committees. The Older People's Commissioner and the Northern Ireland Youth Assembly raised the issue of the representation of older people and young people respectively in the PFG. The Committee will explore, among other things, how the Executive plan to make the PFG accessible and meaningful for everyone in Northern Ireland.

The Committee will now begin its work on the PFG and, as a first step, will receive a briefing from the Department at its meeting later this week. It looks forward to playing its part in scrutinising progress on the actions in the document as they unfold. We will examine the indicators of progress and seek meaningful outcomes for our communities.

I will now make some remarks as an Alliance Party MLA. As I said, I welcome the publication of the Programme for Government. I put on record my party's appreciation of the community and voluntary sector stakeholder organisations that responded to the consultation. We appreciate that those responses can be time-consuming matters, and it is important that we recognise the effort put in.

We need to maintain a system of government that is fit for purpose in the post-agreement era. Whilst we recognise that there are some underwhelming factors in the Programme for Government, we acknowledge that it is a mandatory coalition. We submitted our own consultation response, and it is right and proper that people can see where the Alliance Party would have gone further in certain aspects of the final document.

Let me be clear that the Programme for Government should not and must not be the height of the Executive's ambition. It sets out a bare minimum for what the public should expect, and it should not be regarded as a complete list for ministerial delivery.

On reform, the Alliance Party recognises that the three overarching missions are important, but, in our consultation response, we stressed that peace and peace-building should have been better integrated into all aspects of the document. We welcome the introduction of the delivery unit hosted within the Executive Office. Like my South Belfast colleague, I look forward to hearing more about what that delivery unit will do and how it will influence the reform and transformation of our public services as that is taken forward, agreed and, most importantly, bedded in.

We cannot hope for a shared society without reforming our public services, but we also need to reform the institutions. We will continue to push for that within the Executive. If we are going to deliver for our communities, we need to ensure that our way of governing reflects our changing society.

As regards issues related to the Executive Office, we welcome the work on the mother-and-baby institutions. We would have liked to see, written in the document, the memorialisation programme for the victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse and recognition of the ongoing issues for victims and survivors of the Troubles, not least with the ill-fated Legacy Act.

We will keep pushing for meaningful delivery above and beyond what is set out in the Programme for Government. We do not want to see our society continue to be defined along sectarian lines. We recognise that we are now a diverse, multicultural society and that the Programme for Government needs to deliver for everyone, regardless of their background.

Philip McGuigan (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

I welcome the publication of the Executive's Programme for Government. It is a positive step, and it demonstrates collective commitment to delivering better public services for all citizens right across the North. Better public services will mean better outcomes for people, which is why there was such a good response to the consultation. I thank the individuals, groups and sectors that responded to it.

I speak as my party's health spokesperson. From that perspective, I welcome the narrative in the Programme for Government that key to achieving better health outcomes is a focus on preventative measures to keep people well for longer in the first instance, combined with early detection and timely intervention when required. With over 500,000 people currently on a waiting list to have their first consultation with a specialist, I welcome the fact that cutting waiting times is an Executive priority and that addressing health inequalities is recognised as being part of that solution.

The Executive's commitment is evidenced by the significant proportion of the block grant, over 50%, that has been allocated to the Department of Health.

That in itself is by no means a silver bullet. The current challenges in the health service are great and have been discussed at length many times in the Chamber, most recently during the Budget Bill debate. We are still dealing with the impact of the COVID pandemic on our waiting lists. Our health service has growing demand and need, coupled with workforce and capacity challenges, and we have an ageing population with co-occurring and complex needs.

Despite the difficulties and pressures, we must do all within our power to reduce the unacceptable waiting lists. As I said, over 500,000 people — a quarter of our population in the North — are on a waiting list to have their first consultation with a specialist. That figure is unacceptable, and we need to see action taken in the year ahead so that we can start to turn the corner and reduce that number. That is especially the case for cancer waiting lists and services, where urgency is key to treatment, key to outcomes and, indeed, key to saving lives. It is clear that tackling that priority in the Programme for Government will require long-term planning, as well as multi-year Budgets to support the health service to deliver a consistent, high-quality and sustainable level of care and to provide better health outcomes for our population, regardless of where they live. I therefore welcome the commitment to the target to invest up to £135 million a year to reduce waiting lists by treating an additional 70,000 patients, as well as to invest a further £80 million a year to increase elective care capacity through the expansion of elective care centres and mega-clinics, which will reduce the demand on capacity that causes our waiting lists to grow.

As with any Programme for Government, there is always more that could be included and always more that needs to be done, even within the identified priorities. There is, however, a growing acknowledgement that the Executive simply do not have the Budget or the fiscal levers to generate finances at the level required. We all know that the North has been chronically underfunded in the past and the impact that that has had on our public services. Indeed, we continue to be underfunded. As a devolved institution, our ability to deliver for our population will always be constrained by decisions made in Westminster, where the interests of the people here will never be a top priority.

The only way in which to truly address the challenges that we face in health, and across all our other public services, is through constitutional change. That is a discussion that is gathering pace, and one that can no longer be easily dismissed. In the meantime, the Programme for Government is undoubtedly a positive step. The achievements of our previous and current Finance Ministers in securing additional funding from the British Government represent a step forward and are significant, as is the argument for maximum devolution of fiscal powers to the North. That argument must be pursued, but our ambition for our people has to be greater and based on our having the maximum ability to shape our own decisions. That is why the conversation on constitutional change is so important and must continue at pace. It is the route map to truly addressing the issues with all our public services and to delivering better outcomes for all the people whom we represent.

Deborah Erskine (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I will declare two interests at the outset. During my contribution, I will touch on unadopted developments. I live in one and intend to introduce a private Member's Bill on the subject. I will also touch on the A5, along the route of which my husband's family are landowners.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on behalf of the Committee for Infrastructure. In October, we received oral evidence from Department for Infrastructure officials on the draft Programme for Government 2024-27. The Committee heard that, although the Department does not take the lead on any of the nine priorities in it, a number of them are particularly relevant to DFI's core functions, which are to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy; to provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing; to protect Lough Neagh and the environment; and to reform and transform public services. In responding to the draft Programme for Government, the Committee highlighted the fundamental role that the Department will play as an enabler in achieving the priorities and in shaping a better tomorrow.

The Committee has taken evidence from a wide range of stakeholders on their concerns over the length of time that it is taking for planning applications to be processed. The Committee welcomes recent legislation to provide councils with the power to publish planning application validation checklists, which are anticipated to reduce processing times for applications. More, however, needs to be done to support that key area in order to grow our economy. It is apparent that delays can often be caused by the timeliness and quality of the responses from statutory consultees. Therefore, the Committee urges all Ministers, Departments and agencies that undertake a statutory consultee role to ensure that they are well resourced with sufficient staffing and have measurable processes in place to ensure timely and meaningful responses to planning applications. Delivering an effective and efficient planning system will not only contribute to economic growth but support the delivery of an appropriate housing supply strategy, which is key to the delivery of the Programme for Government.

As Members will be aware, unadopted developments is a frequently recurring issue that can impact on the quality and maintenance of our roads, our street lighting and our water and waste water infrastructure, which, in the worst cases, can be problematic and place an expensive burden on homeowners who have to undertake remedial works to meet the required standards or risk being unable to sell their property. Water and waste water infrastructure are crucial, too, to economic growth and facilitating the provision of more social, affordable and sustainable housing. Inadequate waste water infrastructure impacts on the delivery of that. Whilst there are some initiatives to introduce developer contributions, the Committee considers that those will not be sufficient, given the scale of the overall investment needed. The Committee has taken a keen interest in capacity constraints, particularly with regard to waste water infrastructure, and looks forward to receiving detail on how that will be improved.

Both water and flood-risk management will be important factors in the achievement of the Executive's priorities. The Committee is supportive of the Department's ambition to develop a new flood forecasting system. The water, flooding and sustainable drainage Bill will be introduced in the coming weeks. However, we still await its introduction. Given that its objectives are likely to include seeking to reduce pollution, strengthen resilience to extreme weather events, introduce more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to manage the water resource and reduce and mitigate flood risk. it is important that the Committee takes sufficient time to scrutinise those proposals.

I turn now to our transport infrastructure. It is clear to the Committee that a well-maintained, safe and reliable road network and public transport system will contribute significantly to the successful achievement of the Programme for Government priorities. Maintenance of the wider road network is an ongoing concern for the Committee, particularly due to the scaling back of an effective and well-funded winter service and the potentially detrimental impact on road safety. Measures such as progressing the delivery of the A5 will not only improve road safety and save lives but create jobs and benefit the economy. In addition, developing the rail network and providing more public transport for our rural and disabled communities are essential to keep pace and to support our economic goals.

I turn to Lough Neagh and the environment. The Committee is acutely aware of the importance of Lough Neagh, given that it supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's drinking water, and is concerned about the issues that have been caused there by blue-green algae. Although not the only cause, pollution incidents from waste water treatment works and septic tanks are key contributors, and that must be addressed.

In addition, the commitments under the Climate Change Act will require investment. The Committee has been actively engaging with the Department and stakeholders to find out how that can be supported. The Committee played its part in supporting the vehicle emissions trading scheme (VETS). It is essential that the electric vehicle network be sufficiently developed to facilitate that. I urge the Executive to look at options such as financial transactions capital (FTC) as a means of borrowing to enable the private sector to support growth in our private charging network.

Active travel is identified as a key indicator of the "People" mission in the Programme for Government. The Committee looks forward to considering the results of the consultation on the active travel delivery plan.

Reform and transformation of public services will require significant investment. However, the Committee has heard about the difficulties faced by the Department due to budgetary constraints and the impact of those on its vacancy rates.

The Committee considers that the Programme for Government must be underpinned by robust and measurable milestones. It would be helpful if the First Minister or the deputy first Minister could set out what they consider to be the key infrastructural milestones and provide an assessment of whether those will be achieved in the context of the draft Budget. That is particularly in the context of the investment strategy, which is coming imminently, and the statement in the Programme for Government that the Executive are:

"committed to investing £26 billion of public funding in the next decade."

"Shaping a Better Tomorrow" will require collaborative working and innovative approaches. In working to shape a better tomorrow, the foundations of funding will need to deliver long-term improvement.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. My comments are mainly in the context of the oral evidence session that we had with officials on 10 October 2024 and the subsequent response that we sent to the Executive Office Committee on the draft PFG. As the final PFG was issued to Members last Friday, naturally, the Committee has not yet had a chance to consider it.

Overall, the Committee was supportive of the short-, medium- and long-term actions under the three headings of "Doing What Matters Most Today", "Building New Foundations" and "Shaping a Better Tomorrow", with its three long-term missions of "People, Planet and Prosperity". The Committee was glad to hear that DAERA's 2024-25 business plan had clear links to the draft PFG's priorities and missions. In our response to the Executive Office Committee, we highlighted the insufficient commitment to public engagement at departmental business planning level and said that we wished to see a public engagement strategy to connect the public with what is being delivered by the Department.

The first pillar is "Doing What Matters Most Today". We welcomed the fact that "Protecting Lough Neagh and the Environment" was one of the nine immediate priorities in the draft PFG and remains so in the final PFG, with a target of 2027 for delivering the Lough Neagh report and action plan. We will discuss that further on Thursday at Committee during our first evidence session with DAERA's Lough Neagh project manager. The Committee has been following the progress of the small business research initiative for shorter-term solutions to blue-green algae. At the stage of the draft Programme for Government, phase 1 had launched, and five organisations had been selected to develop a proof-of-concept solution. The Committee hopes that the funding for both phases has been secured.

The Committee recognised the importance of the first environment strategy's setting carbon budgets and developing a climate action plan in helping to reach the goal of net zero by 2025. However, we were concerned that the delay in the publication of plans potentially undermines the Executive's position in addressing those matters. The Committee looks forward to the development of an Executive-agreed climate action plan, which is to be consulted on in 2025, and seeing the detail of the cross-cutting steps to reduce carbon emissions and deliver across aspects within DAERA's remit, including agriculture, land use, forestry, waste and fisheries. We highlighted to the Executive Office Committee in our response to the draft Programme for Government the fact that the interventions in response to the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh are part of a legal obligation, such as the delivery of an environmental strategy, and the need to be cognisant of that. However, the Committee recognised that some Members will be disappointed that there is no commitment to the introduction of an independent environmental protection agency.

The Committee has concerns about delays in service delivery, such as the processing of planning applications, and is advised that not having sufficient staff is part of that problem, so it is good to see the proposal of apprenticeship routes as one method of increasing staff resource at the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). We will request updates on the transformation of public services and on DAERA's share of the £235 million transformation fund.

The second pillar is "Building New Foundations". Members felt that the draft Programme for Government lacked a focus on rural development. In November 2024, we held our meeting in Cookstown to hear from rural development groups and networks about their main concerns. Some members believe that the loss of rural development funding post-EU exit continues to undermine support for rural areas. The Committee will be keen to see the delivery of a new rural policy framework to build prosperous rural communities, which will be developed collaboratively with rural communities.

The "People" mission is part of "Shaping a Better Tomorrow". We highlighted to the Executive Office Committee the fact that the Welsh just transition model is underpinned by well-being to ensure that people thrive, as well as the economy. The Committee looks forward to engaging with the just transition commission and supporting DAERA to secure funding for a just transition fund for agriculture.

On the "Planet" mission of "Shaping a Better Tomorrow", growing the economy is, in some cases, in opposition to climate change actions. A balanced approach is needed. Members highlighted the fact that the development of environmental commitments should be underpinned by legally binding targets.

Although there was high-level commentary on agriculture in the draft Programme for Government, we felt, and still feel, that there is a lack of detail on some statements, such as that the Executive:

"will support farmers to help make healthy local food more affordable".

Given the emphasis on delivering multiple objectives from land use, the Committee feels that there are opportunities and risks that need to be dealt with more strategically, potentially via a land use framework.

On the "Shaping a Better Tomorrow" section and the "Prosperity" mission, the Committee highlighted the fact that rural, micro and small businesses need support to thrive and grow. The Committee will, no doubt, consider whether the final Programme for Government goes far enough in addressing rural affairs.

I will make a few comments on my behalf and that of my party. The beginning of the Programme for Government document that we have before us rightly notes what we can achieve together in the remainder of the mandate, which the First Minister mentioned, but let us take a moment to imagine what could have been achieved if we had had a full mandate in which to deliver and stability, continuity and shared determination to make progress year-on-year. The fact that this is the first Programme for Government since 2011 is both good news and, frankly, a source of deep shame. It is good news, because it signals progress, consensus and a collective effort to govern. It is a shame on all of us, because it should never have taken this long to produce.

Imagine where we could have been had we had successive, fully implemented Programmes for Government and an Executive who worked through their difficulties rather than collapsing under them. We are in a slightly better fiscal position than we were in previous years not because of new investment or a bold economic strategy but largely because we have been underfunded for so long that any uplift, sadly, feels like relief. While we may be in a better political position than we were when this place was empty, the scale of repair and transformation that is required is absolutely enormous. Those who choose political abstinence in this place must take a long, hard look at the consequences of their actions not in the abstract but through the lives of the people who have suffered from years of stagnation in this place.

There is much to welcome in the Programme for Government's priorities, but we owe it to the people of Northern Ireland to be abundantly clear and honest about the pace of delivery and not just progress. People do not need political platitudes; they need results. They need to know when their lives will get better, not just how we plan to make them better. The legacy of the Executive and Assembly cannot be one of short-term aspiration but must be one of long-term delivery. That can be achieved only with multi-year Budgets, stable and reliable government and a commitment to interdepartmental collaboration that delivers real value for money. We must regularly review what we are doing, challenge inefficiency and refuse to allow outdated ways of working to hold us back.

Let us not perform like Assemblies of old. Let us do more, do it better and do it together for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Colm Gildernew (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I will contribute to this important debate on the Programme for Government in my capacity as Chair of the Committee, but I make it clear that my remarks do not represent an agreed Committee position given the timing; rather, they reflect the concerns, comments and priorities that members from across the political spectrum have raised repeatedly in Committee. If time allows, I will also make comments as Sinn Féin spokesperson.

One of the Committee's most pressing concerns has been the lack of progress on key social strategies, including the anti-poverty strategy, the disability strategy and the language strategies. For too long, the North has lacked a coherent and resourced approach to tackling poverty. However, the updated Programme for Government explicitly commits the Executive to bringing forward an anti-poverty strategy. That is a welcome step forward and a direct result of the tireless campaigning of the Cliff Edge Coalition, the wider voluntary and community sector and, indeed, the Committee, which has consistently called for action on poverty. The strategy must not be a box-ticking exercise. The Committee will scrutinise its development closely to ensure that it is adequately funded and backed by clear timelines and delivers real and measurable outcomes for those experiencing financial hardship. The Executive have recognised that tackling poverty requires a cross-departmental effort, including addressing educational attainment gaps, health inequalities and housing stress. Those commitments must now be translated into urgent action.

Alongside the anti-poverty strategy, the Committee has regularly pressed the Minister on the status of the language strategies and the disability strategy, all of which are crucial components of a fairer, more inclusive society. The strategies have been subject to repeated delays, leaving many in our communities without the support and recognition that they need. The disability strategy in particular is crucial to ensure that government policy actively removes barriers for disabled people, promoting their full participation in social and economic life. The failure to deliver the strategy in a timely manner undermines commitments to equality and inclusion. Similarly, the outstanding language strategies must be progressed as a matter of urgency to ensure that linguistic diversity is respected and promoted in a manner that enhances cultural inclusion.

The Committee remains clear in its expectations that all of the social inclusion strategies should not be sidelined but must, instead, be central to the Executive's broader commitment to rights and equality. We have also repeatedly pressed the Minister and the Department to engage proactively with the range of co-design groups that have contributed to that work to ensure that their input is reflected.

The Programme for Government acknowledges the urgent need for increased housing supply, particularly social and affordable housing. The Committee certainly welcomes the commitment to building 5,850 new social homes by 2027. Housing stress continues to rise, with more than 47,000 households on the waiting list. While the Department for Communities has set ambitious targets, delivery will remain the key challenge across a range of issues. Furthermore, the Committee has raised concerns about the fuel poverty strategy, which must be brought forward urgently. The cost-of-living crisis has left too many households struggling to heat their homes, and we must ensure that commitments in that area lead to real action. The loan to acquire move-on accommodation (LAMA) fund announced in the Programme for Government is a welcome step to support homelessness charities in securing housing solutions for those in greatest need. However, we must see greater ambition and long-term investment to tackle the root cause of homelessness.

The redevelopment of Casement Park has been a long-standing issue, and, while the Programme for Government includes a commitment to progressing the project, the Committee remains concerned about funding and delivery timelines. Casement Park is not just a sports stadium; it represents a key investment in community infrastructure, tourism and economic development. We urge the Executive and the Minister for Communities to provide greater clarity on funding arrangements and delivery schedules. The Committee has noted and welcomes the progress that is being made in the implementation of the subregional stadia NI football fund programme.

While the Committee welcomes the overarching ambitions of the Programme for Government, we remain concerned that key social priorities, particularly those within the Department for Communities, have not been given the urgency and attention that they require. We cannot have a Programme for Government that fails to prioritise those most in need, overlooks long-standing commitments on social inclusion or delays critical infrastructure projects that will benefit communities for generations to come. The Committee therefore urges the Minister and the Executive to ensure that those matters are not only acknowledged but acted on with clear commitments and tangible outcomes. The Committee is also keen to undertake robust and effective scrutiny of those cross-departmental priorities. We look forward to continuing to scrutinise the Minister's approach to the issues and will remain resolute in advocating the delivery of long-overdue strategies and projects.

I will now make a few brief remarks as Sinn Féin's spokesperson for housing and communities. I start by welcoming the fact that a Programme for Government has been agreed by the Executive. As some Members have pointed out, this is the first time in over a decade that we have reached that point. The PFG contains many important commitments that will improve the lives of everyone, along with such priorities as reducing waiting times, making childcare affordable, growing our economy and protecting our environment. I particularly welcome the high priority placed on housing in the Programme for Government. The housing supply strategy sets a target of 100,000 new homes in 15 years. That is the scale of what is needed if we are to seriously tackle the current housing crisis. We need to see the Housing Executive building homes again, and that will require a substantial increase in investment. It will also require the British Government to sign off on a new financial model for the Housing Executive that will allow it to borrow the funds that it needs to invest.

I turn now to the social inclusion strategies. Again, I welcome the commitment given to delivering an Irish language strategy. Gaels have waited long enough to have their language given the status that it deserves. We need an Irish language strategy to enhance the provision and promotion of the language, as agreed in the New Decade, New Approach agreement. There is great concern in the Irish language sector that the Minister for Communities is dragging his heels on the issue, and it was disappointing that he was unable to commit to a timeline for the delivery of the strategy at last week's Committee meeting. In a similar vein, we need to see the delivery of an anti-poverty strategy. The delivery of that strategy has never been more urgent. I welcome the Minister's commitment to present a final draft to the Executive before the end of this month.

We need to see a much more proactive and forthright approach from the Minister, particularly in his engagements with the British Government on the need for a funding package for Casement Park. I conclude my remarks there.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Time is up. Thank you, Colm. I call Diane Forsythe, Deputy Chair of the Finance Committee.

Diane Forsythe (DUP, South Down)

Thank you Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I speak today on behalf of the Finance Committee as the Chair focuses on his role as leader of the Opposition. I thank the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister for bringing forward the Programme for Government and for their words in the Chamber today. It is important for me to state that, as the finalised Programme for Government was published only on Friday afternoon, the Finance Committee has not had time to consider it. It would have been helpful if time had been provided for Committees to consider the PFG before the debate. However, we are where we are. Therefore, my speech will reflect the scrutiny that the Finance Committee undertook of the draft PFG.

The Committee was briefed on the Department of Finance's aspects of the PFG on 2 October 2024. During the briefing, the Department of Finance officials highlighted the fact that, as well as its financial oversight role with respect to the PFG, the Department has a vital role in other key elements under the reform and transformation of public services, which is the immediate priority. As officials have regularly reminded the Committee, the ongoing budgetary restrictions mean that that priority is central to the Programme for Government. Central to that is the work of the interim public-sector transformation board and its efforts to make recommendations to the Finance Minister on utilising £235 million of transformation funding over five years. The Committee has applied considerable energy to scrutinising that body and has further scrutiny plans. The Committee notes that the final version of the PFG indicates that that work is now being led by a new reform and transformation unit in the Executive Office. The Committee will seek clarification of the Finance Minister's role in the ongoing scrutiny that the Committee seeks to apply.

Officials also informed the Committee that financial sustainability will be key to transformation. The Department's work with the Budget sustainability plan examines improvements in the Budget process, including how best to connect the Budget process with strategic decisions, including PFG targets. That has been a key ask from the Committee and has been highlighted by multiple stakeholders. The Budget must be linked to the Programme for Government for both to be properly scrutinised by Statutory Committees. Only when the two are linked will there be proper clarity and transparency regarding Executive and departmental priorities. It will then be much easier for Committee members to see where budgets are going and better exercise their advisory role with respect to Ministers.

It is important to remember that the Programme for Government is a legislative requirement in paragraph 20 of the Belfast Agreement:

"The Executive Committee will seek to agree each year, and review as necessary, a programme incorporating an agreed budget linked to policies and programmes, subject to approval by the Assembly, after scrutiny in Assembly Committees, on a cross-community basis."

We have not yet truly arrived at a fully Budget-linked PFG; indeed, page 88 of the PFG is titled "Funding the Programme for Government". That single page describes the need for reform and transformation and highlights the difficult fiscal situation in which we find ourselves. There is no detail about Budget-linking to the PFG, and that is disappointing. The PFG also references the interim fiscal framework, to which the Committee has also applied considerable scrutiny. The interim fiscal framework was signed by the previous Finance Minister in May 2024. It is expected to put the Executive's finances on a more sustainable footing to allow delivery of the high-quality public services that people expect and deserve. Work around that has entered a new phase, with the engagement of Professor Gerry Holtham, around our relative need and the level at which our fiscal floor should rest.

I indicated that the Committee received commentary on the PFG from various stakeholders, including Ulster University. They expressed a concern that the PFG focuses too much on immediate pressures and a restricted set of priorities. They suggest that a longer and more strategic view should be taken, with greater emphasis on prevention and early intervention. Like the Committee, they emphasised the need for a multi-year Budget linked to the Programme for Government. Essentially, the building blocks to achieve the Programme for Government's priorities need to be more clearly identified alongside much greater cross-departmental working and budgeting. Work now needs to be done to make the PFG tangible for our communities. Our people need to see how the Programme for Government makes their lives better and takes us forward. On behalf of the Finance Committee, I welcome the publication of the Programme for Government, and we will continue to play our part in scrutinising its delivery as well as offering advice on how it can be made more effective.

I will speak briefly as DUP MLA for South Down. I welcome the Programme for Government. It is good to see that we are in a position where it is agreed in advance of agreeing the 2025-26 Budget, with a view to aligning the priorities and ensuring that budget flows through to them.

I particularly welcome the priority to deliver more affordable and accessible high-quality early learning and childcare, which is a critical priority for working families in Northern Ireland and in ensuring that every child has the best start in life. In advance of the Programme for Government being agreed, it was excellent to see childcare being identified up front as a key priority of the Executive and the Assembly, with £25 million being ring-fenced in this financial year. I am very proud that, with that somewhat modest allocation, the DUP Education Minister, Paul Givan, progressed at pace and delivered on childcare in this financial year. It is critical that funding is able to flow for that Programme for Government commitment. With that £25 million, within four months of making an announcement, the Education Minister delivered the Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme, which has put over £4 million back into the pockets of families here in Northern Ireland, with over 14,000 children registered.

We have seen £7·6 million invested in existing programmes, including Sure Start, and a major expansion of preschool provision, with an extra 2,500 children moving to full-time nursery school places from September 2025. Research has commenced, and a strategy is progressing. Our DUP Education Minister has proved that he can deliver and can make a difference on childcare. I encourage progression to enable him to have budget flowing under the Programme of Government, because, if Paul Givan has more, he will deliver more for working families in Northern Ireland.

Eóin Tennyson (Alliance, Upper Bann)

Like other Members, I welcome the Programme for Government as a step forward. For the first time since 2011, the Executive have agreed a Programme for Government that sets out the vision, priorities and direction for the remainder of the mandate. Of course, it goes without saying that the document is not an exhaustive list of everything that Executive Ministers will deliver over the next two years, nor should it be seen as the ceiling on our ambition, but rather it is the foundation from which we should all seek to build together. This is not a document that Alliance or, to be fair, any other party in the Chamber would have written in isolation. It does, however, set out a series of positive proposals in a number of areas where there is consensus amongst the four parties in the mandatory coalition.

On that note, before I turn to the substance of the document, I want to address some points in relation to the process and how we got here. The process, at times, was fraught with needless delay and lacked the spirit of genuine cooperation and collaboration that is referenced in the document itself. Four months after the consultation closed in November 2024, Alliance Ministers should not have had to ask for a summary of consultation responses and equality and rural impact assessments, nor should those Ministers have had to ask for the final version of the document on the eve of when the Executive were due to meet to agree it. I do not wish to dwell on those challenges, but I sincerely hope that those lessons will be learned and recognised and that we can commit today to moving forward together in a spirit of genuine collaboration and cooperation as we seek to deliver together.

There is much in the way of positive progress in this Programme for Government, including important commitments that will improve the lives of everyone whom we represent. There are commitments to tackle paramilitarism, speed up our justice system and enhance police officer numbers to build safer, stronger and more vibrant communities. For the first time, there are commitments to tackle the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh, ensuring that that issue receives the billing and the attention that it deserves, alongside action to protect our environment and combat climate change.

It is important to stress that, be it protecting our environment and improving water quality, building a vibrant economy or delivering the social housing to which the Programme for Government aspires, that requires progress in respect of infrastructure as a key enabling function. I want to associate myself with some of the remarks that the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee made in that regard. So, too, is it welcome to see clear targets in respect of the number of participants in programmes that raise awareness around the issue of violence against women and girls, given the particular scourge that that issue imposes on our society, as well as cross-party commitments to childcare and tackling health waiting lists.

Of course, there are other areas where we would have liked to go further, be that in respect of exploiting the opportunities that are presented to us by dual market access, having a greater focus on poverty or, as the Chair of the Communities Committee referenced, the need to deliver on social strategies that are long overdue. For our part, Alliance will continue to articulate arguments in favour of progressing the disability strategy, the gender equality strategy, the LGBTQIA+ strategy and others. Our ability to deliver in this mandate has been constrained by the state of our public finances and by the fact that, again, we are operating in a constrained mandate.

I will refer to a couple of comments that the leader of the Opposition made. I gently say this to him: when he comes to the Chamber to point the finger at other parties, at least be consistent. The SDLP sat on previous Executives where there was no Programme for Government at all. In fairness to the SDLP Ministers who sat on those Executives, I think that they tried their best to deliver. There were also Executives on which it sat where the SDLP voted against the Programme for Government yet continued to participate in the Executive.

As I said, this is not a Programme for Government that Alliance would have written. We are, however, willing to give it a fair wind, because if it is operated in good faith and in a spirit of collaboration, I believe that we can prove to be successful as an Executive. I want the Executive to be successful, because the success of our people, our communities and our public services depends on it, so I will be supporting the Programme for Government today.

Pat Sheehan (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The publication of the Executive's Programme for Government is a hugely welcome step as we continue to drive forward on delivering for people here. The Programme for Government is ambitious, and rightly so. It focuses on critical issues such as delivering affordable housing, reducing childcare costs, cutting health waiting lists and transforming special educational needs provision.

As my party's spokesperson on education and as a member of the Committee for Education, I will focus my remarks on our education system. For too long, too many children have been left behind. Educational underachievement remains one of the most pressing challenges that we face, and tackling it must be a priority. Education, like our other public services, has been starved of the vital and necessary investment that it has required owing to over a decade of British Government austerity. It is in that context that we have to be absolutely sure that we are spending money properly and getting bang for our buck. Investment in education must be based on objective need. That means directing resources to where they are needed most and ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of their postcode, have access to the same opportunities as everyone else.

We know that poverty and education outcomes are linked. Children who grow up in deprivation are more likely to struggle in school. Without intervention, that disadvantage follows them into adulthood. We cannot allow that cycle to continue. The Programme for Government recognises the need to break it, and we must ensure that that commitment is backed up by funding and action. The Minister of Education must make tackling educational underachievement a priority.

Supporting children with special educational needs is another crucial element. For too long, families have struggled to access the assessments, resources and support that their children require. It is not enough to acknowledge the issue. Instead, we need a system that delivers by providing the funding, staffing and structures that are necessary to give every child, regardless of ability, the chance to thrive.

Childcare is not just a family issue but an economic issue, a gender equality issue and an education issue. The emphasis in the Programme for Government on making childcare more affordable is not just an aspiration. Rather, it has already been backed up by action. Prices are coming down for families, but more can and will be done. The Education Minister has been given £25 million in this financial year to deal with childcare, and next year he will be getting £50 million. That is a sign of the Executive's ambition. No parent should have to choose between work and their child's future because childcare costs are too high. No child should miss out on the early years support that high-quality childcare provides.

While today is a good day and we welcome this Programme for Government, we must also acknowledge the reality that the Executive do not have the resources or the fiscal powers to invest in public services to the level required. For years, our public services have been undermined by austerity policies imposed by the British Government. Sinn Féin has been clear that we need proper funding for the North. Our Finance Ministers, past and present, have made that case to the Treasury time and again. We continue to call for the maximum devolution of fiscal powers so that we, in the North, can decide how to invest in our public services and our people.

Phillip Brett (DUP, Belfast North)

The last time that a Programme for Government was agreed in this place, I was studying A-level politics. It is a pleasure that I get to make remarks on behalf of the Committee.

The Committee scrutinised the draft Programme for Government along with the Department's 2024-25 business case and transformation bid. The draft Programme for Government indicated a number of priorities for which the Department for the Economy would be in the lead, particularly to:

"Grow a Globally Competitive and Sustainable Economy".

The Committee strongly welcomed the Executive's clear commitment to economic improvement for all the people of Northern Ireland, as evidenced by the prominence of the economic elements in the draft PFG. The Committee welcomed the prompt delivery of important supporting measures, including the return of the SKILL UP programme, the new apprenticeship challenge fund, the roll-out of the energy efficiency capex fund and the 10-year tourism strategy. However, the Committee still awaits the skills action plan, the renewable energy support scheme and the circular economy strategy.

On the PFG well-being framework, the Committee noted that economic progress is to be measured through a limited set of data based on economic activity and employment levels, the number of exporting businesses, the Nation Brands Index and the R&D spending level. The Committee was surprised that the skills measure was not focused on the missing middle at both level 4 and level 5. Members remarked also that the data sets do not yet include multi-factor Northern Ireland-based productivity measures, although they are understood to be in development by the Department. Members, therefore, noted with concern that the plan and very substantial changes to employment law being progressed by the Minister are unlikely to be informed by up-to-date Northern Ireland-based information.

The Committee lately considered the draft budget for 2025-26 for the Department and has yet to see any information on the impact of the proposed cuts by the Minister on skill places, higher education or arm's-length bodies, including Tourism NI and Northern Ireland Screen. The Committee hopes that lessons will be learned from the previous PFG experience, and that accountability and linkages to financial provision, including the investment strategy, will be clear and easy to scrutinise. That concludes my remarks as the Chair of the Committee.

I will make some remarks as the DUP's economic spokesperson. I warmly welcome the Programme for Government's clear prioritisation of growing Northern Ireland's economy. That is the first priority set out in the document and, indeed, one of its later themes. This party has been and will continue to be unapologetic in its clear desire to grow the Northern Ireland economy to ensure that people in all communities, wherever they are in Northern Ireland, have access to the best possible jobs, opportunities and education.

On inclusion in the Programme for Government, this party has, in recent mandates, been to the fore in updating employment legislation. The former Economy Minister, the Member for Upper Bann, was key in securing bereavement leave for parents. The introduction of domestic safe leave in the coming years was, again, supported by this party. The substantial proposals being brought forward by the current Minister do not have consensus across the private sector. It is incumbent on the Minister to engage with all stakeholders if we are to achieve support for the 'good jobs' employment Bill.

I will turn to investment zone funding, for which the Executive have secured £150 million from Treasury. That announcement was made 18 months ago, and we have seen limited progress from the Minister on that vital funding. In my role as DUP spokesperson on the economy, I will continue to champion the Minister's bringing that forward.

My party has always been unapologetic in wanting to grow the economy across Northern Ireland and ensure regional balance. For me, regional balance means not just investing in one geographical location in Northern Ireland; it means investing in all communities, particularly those such as I represent in Belfast that live in the shadows of factories and large investments but do not get to reap the financial benefit of being employed in those sectors. Our party will ensure that all communities, not just one section of Northern Ireland, benefit from regional balance.

The words in the Programme for Government about supporting our higher and further education sector will be tested and judged when the draft budget is brought forward by the Economy Department. All parties want to see the growth of the Magee campus, but that cannot be done at the expense of other universities or further education institutions. The cuts of £10 million to Queen's University rumoured to be proposed by the Economy Minister would cost up to 1,400 university places and 300 academic posts and could endanger city deal projects. My party will not sit by quietly while that is allowed to go on.

The leader of the Opposition rightly pointed out the DUP's fingerprints on the document. I am proud of that, because, whether people like it or not, we are a joint head of government. Our deputy First Minister has been tenacious in ensuring that DUP manifesto commitments were delivered in the document. The non-inclusion of dual market access seems to be a matter of concern for some. They may wish to take that up with the head of Invest Northern Ireland, who has made it clear that, to date, no such opportunity for delivery has come. That is why it is so important that there is a clear commitment by the Executive on page 85 of the document to engage with Intertrade UK and the new ministerial arrangements secured by my party. The delivery unit will be key to achieving the progress that we all want to see. When I made my maiden speech, I remarked that the return of this place would be judged by our actions and not on our return. Under DUP leadership, I have no doubt that we will deliver.

Diana Armstrong (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for bringing the motion to the House. Many of us across the House understand the significance of the Programme for Government and the importance that it has in our role as legislators working hard to bring positive change to all our constituents and communities across Northern Ireland. There can be no doubt in anyone's mind, however, that the ambition and the commitments in the Programme for Government are not reflected in the Budget. I am concerned that many of the commitments may not be delivered, especially without adequate resources and long-term strategic financing through multi-year Budgets. That said, as my party's economy spokesperson and, more important, as an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I will add some positive commentary.

The Programme for Government contains commitments and actions that are needed to deliver a competitive, productive and sustainable economy. It is essential that our economy be given the tools and opportunities to grow and prosper, and some positive avenues for delivering that are available in the Programme for Government. I particularly welcome and will watch closely developments in the apprenticeship inclusion challenge fund, the skills fund and the tourism strategic action plan. They are key areas of interest for me and will help to streamline and promote growth for the next decade. There is a growing trend of and enthusiasm for apprenticeships. More and more young people avail themselves of them, and, given that International Women's Day falls in this week, it is important to highlight the fact that more and more women avail themselves of apprenticeships and to train in sectors in which, traditionally, men were often the dominant participants. The fund is necessary to bridge the growing skills gap in Northern Ireland. Countless businesses tell me that they cannot get the skills that they need to grow. Investing in apprenticeships is an investment in our future, and I know that many colleagues feel the same. In addition, the investment in the skills fund is a welcome commitment and will be the spearhead that is needed to deliver the skills needed to boost the economy and tackle low productivity by upskilling and reskilling the workforce, particularly women returners. The competitive nature of the jobs market and continued demand for specialisation and skills hold many businesses back from expansion, as the workforce simply is not there.

As many of you may know, a passion of mine is the tourism sector. Growing up in and being a representative for the Fermanagh lakelands, I feel passionate about the forward-looking face of tourism and how pivotal it is in demonstrating all that is good about our country. That is why it is hugely welcome to see it highlighted in the Programme for Government, with an investment of £1·3 billion to stimulate regeneration and tourism across Northern Ireland. That follows the publication last month of the tourism strategic action plan.

The Programme for Government represents a positive step forward in outlining the Executive's commitments. However, we must start to see delivery of and accountability for those commitments and, importantly, a Budget framework that matches the targets.

Deirdre Hargey (Sinn Féin, Belfast South)

I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for tabling the motion. The publication of the Executive's Programme for Government is a welcome step. It represents a commitment by the four-party Executive to work together in the interests of everyone in our society.

We are all too aware that we are working within an extremely tight financial situation that has been exacerbated by 15 years of austerity Budgets from the British Government. That fact has been acknowledged across the Chamber, highlighting the impact of austerity on our Budgets and the deficiencies in the level-of-need funding. Despite those challenging fiscal environments, having the Programme for Government is a good step forward in setting out Executive priorities and delivering better public services and outcomes for our people.

It is good to see key outcomes on ending violence against women and girls and on safer communities. Feeling safe is an essential part of how we feel in our communities, in our places of work and when socialising. It is a key quality of life factor for all of us. I am glad that those important issues are highlighted in the Programme for Government. Violence against women and girls is a critical area that has a devastating impact across our communities, and we have seen more than 20 women killed since 2020 and many more cases where women and girls are being harassed, intimidated, beaten and threatened daily. The collective effort to prioritise that and to tackle its root causes is important. A minimum of 100,000 participants will be engaged throughout the programme, and there will be a change fund through which funding is being directed through our 11 councils into our local communities, with grassroots engagement and participation ensuring that there is impact at a local level. The ongoing work of the ending violence against women and girls strategy, domestic abuse strategy, the Power to Change campaign and the establishment of sectoral groups all contribute to ending violence against women and girls and creating safer communities for all of us.

Speeding up access to justice and creating safer communities are essential in determining how people feel and the impact that that has on their quality of life. It is good to see that expanding the use of out-of-court disposals and community resolution notices are priorities. They will be an essential part of the work and are welcomed, along with the business case, in advancing and looking at sufficient policing numbers.

Dealing with trauma, tackling hate and prejudice and reducing offending and reoffending are important areas of work that I am glad to see in the programme for work. Early intervention and prevention are critical in tackling those issues. The commitment to joined-up, integrated working and investment in digital capabilities is also critical in the transformation that we need to see. That work also needs to be underpinned by an anti-poverty and equality lens, as we know that those who are most impacted on are from working-class and minority backgrounds.

We know that the programme for work is not the final or exhaustive list of priorities for the Executive or individual Ministers, and nor should it be. We will work to have scrutiny of Ministers to ensure that we see delivery on the ground. However, the programme provides an important framework and a commitment to working collectively to deliver positive change and outcomes in the interests of our whole community.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The next item of business in the Order Paper is Question Time. I propose, by leave of the Assembly, to suspend the sitting until 2.00 pm.

The debate stood suspended.

The sitting was suspended at 1.55 pm.

On resuming (Mr Speaker in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions — The Executive Office

Gerry Carroll (People Before Profit Alliance, Belfast West)

1. Mr Carroll asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether the First Minister or her junior Minister discussed any concerns with officials in relation to attending Washington DC on St Patrick’s Day. (AQO 1630/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As I have publicly stated, as First Minister, I have taken the decision not to travel to Washington DC over the St Patrick’s Day period this year. Junior Minister Reilly will also not be travelling to Washington, but, along with junior Minister Cameron, she will be travelling to Brussels to engage in St Patrick’s Day events with key stakeholders, undertaking a programme of engagements that I am sure both junior Ministers will be happy to update Members on after their visit. The deputy First Minister and I are joining an NI Chamber of Commerce trade delegation to North Carolina next week, where we will both be working hard to encourage investment here, to grow connections and to deliver on our prosperity agenda, as outlined in the new Programme for Government. You will also be aware that the deputy First Minister is travelling to Washington to undertake a series of engagements there.

Gerry Carroll (People Before Profit Alliance, Belfast West)

I welcome the decision not to go to the White House this St Patrick's Day, and I pay tribute to all the activists who put pressure on Sinn Féin and other parties not to go. Why is the First Minister allowing the deputy First Minister to go to the White House this St Paddy's Day, and will she join the calls to say that the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste should not go to the White House this Paddy's Day?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I have taken the decision as First Minister not to attend events at the White House this year. That is my decision. It was a decision that I did not take lightly, but it was a decision that I took as a principled stance because I believed that it was the right thing to do at this time. There are times when there is a responsibility on all of us to call out injustice, and this was that moment. I am very comfortable with my decision, and I am equally comfortable with the fact that the deputy First Minister has a different view and will travel to be part of the White House reception and other events this year. That is entirely her call, and I am comfortable enough with that decision also.

The Taoiseach is a different offering insofar as the Taoiseach is uniquely in a position where he will have the opportunity to engage directly with the US president. That is an opportunity that he has to take, because only he will have the opportunity to have that one-on-one time. Perhaps he can — I hope that he does — take the opportunity to drive home the message about the depth of feeling right across Ireland on what is happening in Palestine and on the recent commentary by the US Administration in particular on the taking of Palestinian lands and the removal of the Palestinian people off their lands. The fact that they have moved away from a two-state solution, which is a solution that we all want to see achieved, is something that he needs to be very firm on in any engagement with the US president.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

Is it possible to have a list of the invitations received by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in the week around St Patrick's Day? I know that you have said that there are certain meetings that you want to have, but what invitations came into your offices?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The invitations that have been received to date include the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action leadership forum; the Ireland Funds national gala; the US Speaker's luncheon; the Washington Ireland Programme (WIP), which Members will be familiar with; the Ulster University breakfast event; and, over the weekend, late Saturday night, the White House reception invite as well.

Sinéad McLaughlin (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

First Minister, given your answer, do you regret going to the US last year?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

No, I do not. It is important that, at moments in time, we take our opportunity to take a stance, and this was that time. The fundamental difference is that the US Administration have now moved away from what was a united two-state solution that we all want to see — peace and security for the Palestinians and peace and security for the Israelis. We want to see that solution found, and the only way that you will do that is by having dialogue and involving all partners. Unfortunately, that is not the view of this US Administration and this new president. They have taken a decision to move towards the mass expulsion of the Palestinian people, they have taken a decision to seize Palestinian lands and they have taken a decision to move away from that united position of a two-state solution. Therefore, for me, at this time, this is not about politics but about humanity and about doing the right thing.

Alan Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

Does the First Minister agree that having good relations with the US Administration, regardless of which party occupies the White House, is crucial to the economy of the Province in FDI terms and for local companies that wish to set up in the United States?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

We can do more than one thing at once. I can take the principled stance that I believe in, but I also believe in our strong roots in the US. Particularly for our economic prosperity, that is really important. Those roots run deep, and it is important that we continue to nurture them. It is also important that we continue to look for opportunities for our economy. That is why, over the next week, the deputy First Minister and I will be in North Carolina on what will be very much an economic mission. Alongside that, our Economy Minister will be in Boston and New York with Invest NI. That is, again, about drumming up trade and saying that we are very much open for business.

We can continue to further our economic links — grow our economy, create jobs and investment and do all such things — while, on this occasion, I take the principled position that I have.

Timothy Gaston (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

First Minister, will you take this opportunity to inform the House and share with us all the cost of the trip to Washington for St Patrick's Day 2024? Your Department has sat on the answer for some seven months. It would be good if you could confirm to the House when I can expect an answer or, indeed, to know the cost of the trip?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I am sure that we will furnish you with that information. I do not have the detail as to why you do not have it, but we will make sure that we get it to you.

Cheryl Brownlee (DUP, East Antrim)

2. Ms Brownlee asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the Urban Villages initiative. (AQO 1631/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will ask junior Minister Reilly to answer this question.

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Last week, we announced a £9 million extension to the Urban Villages capital plan. That will allow the development of four fantastic new projects in Belfast and Derry, providing much-needed physical regeneration, creating safer communities, and making a positive difference to people's lives. The updated capital plan also ensures the successful continuation of the 70 capital projects that are already being delivered across the five Urban Villages areas.

The Urban Villages initiative is providing funding for skills and training in areas such as capacity building and sustainability to all key project promoters to ensure that they can deliver on long-term objectives as well as social, economic, environmental and good relations outcomes over the next two years.

Cheryl Brownlee (DUP, East Antrim)

I thank the junior Minister for her answer. Minister, will you provide an update on the programme's next steps?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Thank you for that question. We know the significant impact that the Urban Villages programme has on communities. Successful delivery of the remaining capital projects will increase access to shared-space facilities and continue to promote integration across the five Urban Village areas and beyond.

The strategic direction for Urban Villages that we have set out includes completing the current Urban Villages plan, with a focus on delivering the remaining capital portfolio projects; investing over the next few years to help secure the sustainability of capital projects that will be delivered through grant support for capacity building to support community organisations in taking forward large capital projects; and planning for the future by establishing a working group to take forward the development of phase 2, which includes joined-up delivery by Departments to catalyse the linkages that Urban Villages has made in supporting ministerial priorities. That will fully demonstrate TEO's impact on the Urban Villages areas.

Áine Murphy (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Minister, can you give us any additional detail about the projects that have been added to the updated Urban Villages plan?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I thank the Member for her question. In general terms, the Urban Villages initiative has supported a range of community-led, cross-cutting and capital projects to improve good relations outcomes and to develop thriving places where there has been a history of deprivation and community tension. As of 31 January 2025, there has been £49·8 million in capital investment, revenue investment sits at £15 million, the number of event attendees has reached in excess of 1·1 million, and almost 3,500 training courses, with almost 4,000 workshops, have been delivered.

The additional £9 million investment will allow Urban Villages to develop four new capital projects: the Realm, in Derry, which will see a range of high-quality public realm improvements across the Fountain, the Bogside and Bishop Street; Westland Community Centre in north Belfast, which will deliver a new community centre, providing an innovative community-led service for the area; and the market arches in the Markets area of Belfast, where eight tunnels in former railway arches will be regenerated, providing new social and commercial spaces. Lastly, the former School of Music in Donegall Pass in south Belfast will be home to a range of social economy, charitable and creative ventures. Those investments are making a real, tangible difference to the communities in which they are located.

Paula Bradshaw (Alliance, Belfast South)

Will the junior Minister give us an outline of when the final draft of the review of the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) programme will come forward, with particular reference to the refreshed approach to good relations that has been talked about?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The T:BUC review is under way, and a number of good relations projects sit under that. I do not have a time frame in front of me, but, if the Member writes to me, I can provide that for her.

Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

Does the junior Minister agree that there should be full transparency of what is being funded by Urban Villages, why and the exact role of TEO in that? I ask because I recently asked the First Minister whether she had received an invite to the official opening of the Peacemakers Museum, a project that she had previously told me had nothing to do with the Executive Office. She said that she had not, or at least that she did not recall receiving an invite to that. I have subsequently acquired —.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Does the Member have a question?

Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

Sorry, Mr Speaker. I learnt through an FOI request that she had not only been invited to the official opening but that she and the deputy First Minister had subsequently been invited to a pre-opening tour. Will the junior Minister explain why those invitations were not accepted or even recalled?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I am not sure what the exact question is, but, of course, there should absolutely be full transparency. I have visited many Urban Villages projects, and it is clear that they have achieved a transformative impact or that such transformation is under way. I look at the Colin area of my constituency in West Belfast. It has been transformed and has been changed so much for the better as to be unrecognisable. We want to build on that, and that is why we have put together a working group to take forward the development of phase 2 of Urban Villages, which will also look at criteria. We must remember that Urban Villages was a first. We can learn from it for the next phase: what phase 1 looks like and how it can be improved on. We will certainly look at doing that.

David Brooks (DUP, Belfast East)

3. Mr Brooks asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the dates for the next meeting of the East-West Council. (AQO 1632/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As the Member is aware, the purpose of the East-West Council is to strengthen cooperation between us and other parts of the UK by bringing together key representatives from the government, business, education, trade, transport and culture sectors and by encouraging collaboration between Ministers and industry experts. The arrangements and timings for meetings of the Council are, in the first instance, the responsibility of the British Government, and those will inevitably reflect the availability of their Ministers and ours. We are, however, considering a number of potential dates for the next meeting of the Council and hope to be able to confirm details in the near future. We should say that, even in the absence of an East-West Council, we have had numerous opportunities to engage with ministerial colleagues from other Governments through the other forums set up for intergovernmental relations. In the past year, we have attended eight ministerial intergovernmental meetings, including meetings of the Interministerial Standing Committee, the Council of the Nations and Regions, with the Prime Minister and the heads of devolved Governments council, as well as British-Irish Council summits.

David Brooks (DUP, Belfast East)

Does the First Minister agree, having spoken of some of those connections, that the establishment of Intertrade UK is an important step in resolving some of the frictions in east-west trade?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I do not know an awful lot about the working of Intertrade UK, other than it is to be established. It is essential that any trade bodies work to iron out issues where they arise. That should be a principle that we all aspire to. We do not want disruption of trade, whether it is North/South or east-west. I do not want to see disruption of trade. I want free-flowing trade that allows our people to benefit by growing our economy and creating opportunities for growth. Where issues arise, let us find pragmatic solutions to them. We will work with whatever bodies are in place to ensure that that is the case.

Justin McNulty (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Given that one of the key missions of the Council is to offer advisory support to implement major projects and that, as you have said, Casement Park will be built on your watch — have you raised or will you raise the issue of Casement Park with the British Government?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

With all due respect to the Member, I doubt that the East-West Council will discuss Casement Park. I assure him that I raise the issue of Casement Park with the British Government at every turn.

Brian Kingston (DUP, Belfast North)

4. Mr Kingston asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on any plans to attend events in Washington DC for St Patrick's Day. (AQO 1633/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As First Minister, I have taken the decision not to attend the events in Washington DC this year, but, together with the deputy First Minister, we will join the NI Chamber of Commerce trade delegation to North Carolina. The deputy First Minister has confirmed that she will go to Washington DC, and that programme is still in final development. We will, of course, be happy to report back to the Assembly Chamber once all invitations have been received and considered.

Brian Kingston (DUP, Belfast North)

The First Minister is aware, given her previous answer, of the series of events that take place in Washington DC in the week of St Patrick's Day, in addition to the shamrock ceremony in the White House. All of those events provide excellent opportunities to promote the interests of people in Northern Ireland. Does the First Minister not acknowledge that, if she truly wants to be a First Minister for all, she should set aside her personal and party preference for which party occupies the presidency and join the deputy First Minister in attending as many events in Washington DC as she can that week?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

First, let me be clear: this is not about party politics. This is about humanity. This is about standing up against injustice. This is about taking a stand when a US Administration have decided to annex the people of Palestine off their land and when they have moved away from a two-state solution — a solution that we all should want to see delivered in the Middle East. I want to see peace and security for the Palestinians and the Israelis, and I want to use every international effort that is conceivably possible to work towards that agenda. Unfortunately, that is not the resolve of the current US Administration, so, at this point in time, I am taking a stand for humanity and against injustice. I can do that whilst advocating for our local economy, which is what I do.

I have engaged with many US presidents from both sides of the House. We have many friends on Capitol Hill who, in a bipartisan way, support the Good Friday Agreement. Those relationships will endure. We have strong relationships with trade unions in the United States. We have strong economic links with businesses. We attract investment and export. We have a mutual relationship that we can continue to build. I am assured by the fact that the deputy First Minister and I will attend in North Carolina. That is part of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce economic event. Our Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, will be in Boston and New York. Our economic links will continue. However, there come times in our life when we should take a stand, and, at this moment in time, I side with humanity.

Emma Sheerin (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

First Minister, do you agree that it is essential that we continue to maximise economic opportunities in the US?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes. I have said that I absolutely do. If we reflect on our long-standing links and the roots that run very deep, we should be proud of the work that we have done to grow those relationships over the years, particularly the economic links. The US is our largest export market outside of Britain and is the largest source of high-value FDI, including in our priority sectors for future growth, so that economic work needs to continue. We can do that whilst taking a stand at a certain moment in time.

Caoimhe Archibald, as the Economy Minister, is leading delegations. The deputy First Minister and I will be in North Carolina to sign a memorandum of understanding between our Chamber of Commerce and the one in North Carolina. That, in itself, gives us a unique platform on which to sell our wares. We will continue to drive on with the economic work to enhance our economy, grow investment and create jobs. That is front and centre of our Programme for Government and is what we are determined to do.

Doug Beattie (UUP, Upper Bann)

Minister, our party always argues against boycotts; other parties like boycotts. Some parties complain about boycotts and then partake in boycotts themselves. I ask the First Minister to be absolutely clear: will the deputy First Minister be going to the White House to represent Northern Ireland?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes, the deputy First Minister will be there representing our office. I will not stand in the way of the deputy First Minister. She has her view, and I have mine. We can have respect for each other's view.

John Blair (Alliance, South Antrim)

5. Mr Blair asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister when the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 will be amended. (AQO 1634/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle

[Translation: Mr Speaker]

, junior Minister Reilly will take the question.

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

We are committed to updating and strengthening racial equality law so that everyone can benefit from a fair and inclusive society. Following an extensive 12-week consultation on the review of the Race Relations Order, a report on the responses that included more than 50 potential changes was published last August. We intend to introduce the legislation in the Assembly as part of the 2025-26 legislative programme, which will move us a step closer to providing the best possible legal protection against racial discrimination and ensuring that everyone is valued and treated equally.

John Blair (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank the junior Minister for her answer. Given that incidents of race hate continue, as seen, sadly, in south Belfast at the weekend and, to a worrying extent, in my constituency of South Antrim last summer, and given that the consultation was such a long time ago, may we have some detail today on what work has been done on drafting amendments?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Thank you for your supplementary question. I think that we all agree that having a diverse society only enriches the cultural and economic life of absolutely everybody who calls here "home" and that we want a society in which people are protected and treated equally. Our officials have already started to engage with the minority ethnic sector to support and develop how we move forward on racial equality beyond 2025.

As I mentioned in my initial answer, we intend to introduce legislation in 2025-26. We have seen disgraceful behaviour in recent times and again at the weekend in south Belfast by those trying to instil fear in our communities. We utterly condemn the attacks and stand with those who were targeted. Tackling racism and racial inequality is a priority for us, as is making sure that there is legislation to protect people.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Will the Minister provide an update on the refugee integration strategy, please?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Yes. I am delighted to say that the First Minister and the deputy First Minister have approved a refugee integration strategy and associated delivery framework that will be brought to the Executive next month for agreement.

Matthew O'Toole (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I am pleased, junior Minister, that there will be a refugee integration strategy. I acknowledge that as progress. The Programme for Government, however, contains, by my count, seven or eight words on tackling racism. After not just the violence that we saw last summer in Belfast but the attack at the weekend, people of colour deserve better than warm words. They deserve clarity and focus, a stand-alone hate crime Bill, the Order being updated — finally, after years — and a racial equality strategy. Why is the issue so absent from the Programme for Government?

Aisling Reilly (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Let me start by reiterating that racism and hate have absolutely no place in our society. I mentioned the disgraceful behaviour during the summer and the behaviour that comes with that. It was absolutely disgraceful to see racist graffiti in south Belfast, but we will call that out at every opportunity. Work is being done. Our officials have started work on a review of the racist attacks here last summer, including why they happened, the response to them, who was involved and actions to prevent such attacks from happening again.

The Executive Office formed a cross-departmental working group, which it chairs. There is an application for an area-based education and myth-busting piece, which will potentially be funded under PEACE PLUS. That piece of work has been submitted. If it is successful, it will aim to build positive relations in our communities that, we hope, will address potential future incidents of racism.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

6. Mr Butler asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the functions of the board of the Maze/Long Kesh Development Corporation (MLKDC). (AQO 1635/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

We recognise the immense economic, historical and reconciliation potential of the site and are committed to working with the board to maximise that potential for the benefit of all. Pending decisions on the way forward, the development corporation is charged with maintaining and managing the site, carrying out essential health and safety works and supporting the existing tenants. The board's role is to provide leadership, strategic direction and guidance to ensure that it effectively discharges its obligations and fulfils the aims and objectives agreed with TEO. The board also seeks to maintain a state of readiness for future development. That includes continuing engagement with TEO officials to consider possible approaches to regeneration of the site and the provision of advice and options for the future.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the First Minister for her answer. TEO has, indeed, held the reins of the MLK site for over a decade. The board has proffered examples during its tenure. However, Lisburn council has a development plan. Under the current Sinn Féin/DUP First Minister and deputy First Minister, will we see tangible change and the delivery of economic opportunity in Lagan Valley for the people who have been promised it for so long?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The site has the opportunity to be transformative. I want us to get there. We need a political agreement, obviously, to get there. I am working to make sure that we can, hopefully, get to that point. The board is doing its job and is working away to maintain the site and ensure that it is ready for development. There have also been some developments on the site. Its potential is as yet untapped, but we have spoken before in the House about that potential. I assure you that that is what I want to achieve. I will work to get the political agreement that is required to ensure that we can have the site opened up. The economic benefit that will come from it will be transformational.

Linda Dillon (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I thank the First Minister for committing to work with the board to maximise the benefit for everybody across our community. First Minister, will you confirm that the regeneration of the site remains a key priority for the Executive?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes. As I said in my previous answer, it is an area that has massive potential, and we must really tap into that. You can see the regeneration of the site in the same vein as other transformation projects, such as Windsor Park, Kingspan Stadium, the Ebrington site, Crumlin Road Gaol and what we will see in Casement Park. Developing all those sites creates huge opportunities for us, and we must get on with that. They are economic game changers. They mean so much to the local community, even in the rate take and what that means for local investment in councils. They can be such game changers.

We know what the barriers are. We have to continue to try to make progress. There needs to be political agreement on how we move forward, but let us do that in a way that delivers benefits for everybody while dealing with the sensitivities about the site. I visited the site last year, along with the deputy First Minister. We met the board. I do not need to be convinced of what we could achieve on that site if we were to get political agreement.

Harry Harvey (DUP, Strangford)

Will the First Minister brief Members on whether Air Ambulance will remain on the site?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Absolutely. We are very committed to having Air Ambulance on the site. Air Ambulance is an amazing charity that everybody knows. It works in partnership with the Department of Health to provide a helicopter emergency medical service from the site. It has been called out over 4,500 times. Its work speaks for itself. The corporation will continue to work with Air Ambulance, because there is potential for it to have a longer-term base there and move away from the current temporary situation.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

First Minister, given the inability to reach agreement on the use of the site, how is the work of the board evaluated regarding value for public money? How does it work through its objectives, given that there are no agreed objectives for the use of the site?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Its objectives are very much aligned with the development corporation's current remit, which includes the maintenance and management of the site. It also has to carry out essential health and safety works and support the existing tenants. The corporation continues as far as possible to maintain a state of readiness for future development, including continuing to consider possible approaches to the regeneration of the site and provide advice and options for the future as and when required. The board is dealt with in the same way as any other public body when it comes to value for money so is absolutely accountable for every penny spent. That is not something that we are concerned about. I cannot remember the exact budget — I think that it oversees £1 million capital over a year — but we are assured that all public accountability mechanisms are in place for the board.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

We will move to topical questions.

Matthew O'Toole (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

T1. Mr O'Toole asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they agree with the deputy leader of the Alliance Party, who said over the weekend that the deputy First Minister was responsible for causing delays and blocking progress in the Executive. (AQT 1081/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

At times, things do not move as quickly as we all would want them to move. That can be true of all Ministers at different times. I am not here to point-score off anybody today; I am here to get business done.

Matthew O'Toole (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I asked that question, First Minister, because, from the look of the Programme for Government document, which shows zero progress on Casement — it has exactly the same language as in the draft Programme for Government — zero progress on the Irish language, DUP/Tory bodies such as the East-West Council and Intertrade UK being placed on the same footing as Good Friday Agreement bodies such as InterTradeIreland and the North/South Ministerial Council and much less ambition than the Irish Government's Programme for Government on shared island or cross-border services, people will conclude that the DUP is running rings around you and your party. Tell us this: who is taking whom for a fool? Is the DUP taking your party for fools, or is your party taking the rest of us for fools?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

That is more of a fool's question, to be honest. From day 1, I have said that I will work constructively with the Opposition, but there is making a point and using Question Time to best effect, and then there is getting up to play games. That question is playing games.

I am determined to lead in the Executive and to work with the deputy First Minister and all Ministers. There are four parties around the Executive table. They are a four-party Executive, and I am committed to making that work. The rest of the four parties here turn up every day to try to make that work, despite the challenges. You have the luxury of sitting out in comfort and biting from the sidelines, while the rest of us are focused —

Matthew O'Toole (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Like Mary Lou McDonald? Like the Opposition in Dáil Éireann?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Let me finish my point. The rest of us are trying to get the work done. Throughout the day, we will have the Programme for Government discussion, and you can have your say on how you feel about all of that. The rest of us — the four parties of the Executive — will focus on trying to get things done.

The Executive are not perfect. If anybody who walked in here on day 1 thought that they would be, they were mistaken. The rest of us are committed to working together to deliver for people.

Maolíosa McHugh (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

T4. Mr McHugh asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to confirm that all the land necessary for the expansion of Magee college in Derry has been acquired. (AQT 1084/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes. I was pleased that the Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, announced last week that the land had been purchased. That was obviously a key part of the Magee expansion, so I am delighted to confirm that we have reached an important milestone with all three sites having been acquired to accommodate the growth to 10,000 students by 2032. The expansion of Magee has the potential to be a real economic game changer in the north-west, helping to attract investment, create more jobs and better opportunities and showcase everything that the region has to offer. It is another step in the right direction as we continue to work towards the target of 10,000 students at the campus.

Maolíosa McHugh (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Aire.

[Translation: Thank you, Minister.]

Will you confirm, Minister, that you will do everything in your power to ensure that we reach the target of 10,000 students on the Derry campus?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes. I absolutely give that assurance. That has been a commitment from Sinn Féin Economy Ministers since day one, and Conor and now Caoimhe have continued that vital work. We will continue to work alongside others, because such things happen in partnership, and you get so much more done when you work in partnership. It is about the Executive working with Derry City and Strabane District Council and the university to deliver on the transformative vision that we all share for Derry, which will create enormous and exciting opportunities for everyone who calls the north-west "home".

Eóin Tennyson (Alliance, Upper Bann)

T5. Mr Tennyson asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they agree, given their responsibilities for good relations and tackling violence against women and girls, that the Secretary of State's announcement last week of his intention to appoint an interlocutor, effectively, to negotiate with active paramilitary organisations was disgraceful and shameful. (AQT 1085/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I will be absolutely clear: it is long past the time for such groups to exist in today's society. We are 27 years post the Good Friday Agreement. There is no space for those groups to exist in our society. They exist to keep their foot on the necks of the communities in which they live. We should do all that we can to ensure that they are disbanded.

The initiative by the two Governments is for them to answer to. I share the Member's concerns. Anything that comes forward cannot be a case of throwing money at the groups; I do not agree with that. The Governments should do nothing that allows the groups to exist for even longer. I share the Member's views.

Eóin Tennyson (Alliance, Upper Bann)

I thank the First Minister for that answer. First Minister, will you and the deputy First Minister commit to make representations to the Secretary of State so that it is not done in the name of us in the Assembly Chamber?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

We are yet to agree an Executive position. I assure you that both Governments will be aware of my views, and I am sure that every other party in the House will take the opportunity to make its views known also.

Órlaithí Flynn (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

T6. Ms Flynn asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide an update on the Executive's plan for cutting childcare costs. (AQT 1086/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

That is one of the issues that is very much highlighted in our Programme for Government, which is being discussed today. Cutting childcare costs and keeping money in the pockets of struggling families has been a day-1 priority for our Executive. Recently, I was pleased that we were able to double the funds: we have gone from investing £25 million initially to a total of £50 million for this year in the draft Budget. That is about us trying to make childcare more affordable for parents, supporting struggling providers and creating more places for children with additional needs, because we need to be inclusive. We have also included it, as I said, as a Programme for Government priority, because that puts it up in lights as something that the four parties of the Executive are committed to delivering on.

Childcare is one of the most pressing issues in society right now. The burden of childcare falls on women in particular. Often, we all meet women who tell us that they think that they have no option other than to stay at home, because of the cost of childcare. It is one of the things that the Executive need to deliver on and one on which, I believe, all four parties of the Executive are willing and ready to participate and deliver.

Órlaithí Flynn (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I thank the First Minister for her response. Will the First Minister continue to work closely with the entire Executive to further reduce the costs?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes. We have demonstrated what we can do in the first 16 or 17 months. We have prioritised it; we have put money towards it; and we have made advances in it. However, we must not be complacent: we know that there is still a lot more to be done on that front. For our part, I can say to the Member that, yes, childcare is a priority; yes, we will continue to invest in childcare; yes, we will be inclusive; and yes, we will help take the burden from families. We will also help our providers to provide the spaces and ensure that we bring down costs for families. It is about accessibility; it is about the cost factor; and it is about ensuring that we have the right number of places in the right areas.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Before I call Mr Baker, I remind the House that I notified the Assembly some weeks ago of the dress code introduced by Mr McLaughlin when he was Speaker. I only call Mr Baker because he is on the list.

Danny Baker (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

T7. Mr Baker asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to provide the Chamber with an update on the new children's hospital. (AQT 1087/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The announcement of a £671 million investment in a new state-of-the-art children's hospital is fantastic news for children and families across our society. It will provide children in need of care with the best facilities and the latest technology, offering them world-class healthcare here at home. It is obviously an enormous investment in children here and in healthcare more widely. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that it will have on so many lives — from young patients and their families through to the dedicated healthcare workers who provide invaluable care.

Danny Baker (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat

[Translation: Thank you]

, First Minister. Does the First Minister agree that the project will be a game changer for families across the North?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes, I absolutely do. The deputy First Minister and I had the pleasure of being on site last week to see the plans for ourselves and to meet some of the staff. There is no doubt that it will be a real game changer in the care of our sick children, and it will bring a much improved experience at a difficult time for the families. It will also be an improved experience for the staff. Having spoken to the staff who work in the current, more difficult surroundings, I think that it will be a real pleasure for them to go to work as they provide excellent care to our young people. Once completed — I look forward to that day — it will be a game changer for children and young people across the North.

Claire Sugden (Independent, East Londonderry)

T8. Ms Sugden asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, given the First Minister's comments and actions around Palestine, if she agreed with and supported the deal announced by the UK Government in relation to Belfast company Thales supplying 5,000 missiles to Ukraine. (AQT 1088/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

First, he focus of the international community should always be on working towards negotiation and peace settlements. That is my approach to such things. It is only through lasting peace and genuine and constructive engagement that you arrive at a peace solution. Our example here tells us that. The support of the European countries for Ukraine absolutely needs to be solid. I welcome the fact that we have that back on an even keel and that there is no ambiguity around European support for ending the war in Ukraine.

Claire Sugden (Independent, East Londonderry)

To go back to the specific question, given that company's role in relation to Palestine, does the First Minister support the £1·6 billion deal that the UK Government announced this morning?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

No. I am really incredulous. At a time when public services are being cut left, right and centre; when we have endured 14 years of austerity; when winter fuel payments to older people are being cut; when lots of small local businesses will go to the wall, because they cannot afford the hike in National Insurance; and when our farmers are worried because of the inheritance tax, I would rather see the money being invested in public services than in buying weapons of war.

Doug Beattie (UUP, Upper Bann)

T9. Mr Beattie asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, after noting that, during the Troubles, all flavours of terrorists and paramilitaries were involved in heinous crimes, including intimidation, coercive control, child abuse and sexual abuse up to and including rape, whether the TEO's position of not keeping a record of such convictions to which to refer when handing out funding is sustainable. (AQT 1089/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I am sure that, when funding is handed out by the TEO or any other Department, all due diligence is applied to any funding or grant application that is received by a Department.

Doug Beattie (UUP, Upper Bann)

Thank you, Minister. You do not keep a list: the response to the question for written answer that I tabled says that you do not. The question is this: will you take that position when you ask for funding applications in relation to ending violence against women and girls? People who are involved in domestic abuse, sexual abuse, rape and child abuse could receive funding. Nobody wants that.

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Of course, nobody wants that, particularly not in those sensitive areas, but let us not make policy on the hoof. Let us be considered about how we do things. In order to bring forward such policies, you need to ensure that there is proper documentation and lists and that you are able to refer to records. Let us not make policy on the hoof. I get the general point about making sure that you can stand over any application for funding. That is an important point.

Aoife Finnegan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

T10. Ms Finnegan asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they share her concerns about the devastating impact of the planned hike in National Insurance contributions. (AQT 1090/22-27)

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes, I do. I have just referred to it. I welcome the Member to the Chamber, given that she has newly joined us. She is welcome, and I look forward to engaging with her.

Yes, the hike in National Insurance contributions is and will be deeply concerning for many of our small businesses. All of us will have been contacted by businesses that are afraid that they will have to close their doors or let staff go because they do not know how they will absorb the cost of National Insurance contributions. We have raised the issue at every turn with the British Government and the Treasury. The Finance Minister has done so and will continue to do so. Last week, our Finance Minister, John O'Dowd, met the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and made that case to him directly. As an Executive, our collective view is that we will continue to call for change of approach.

It is not too late. There is still time for it to be changed. Our local businesses cannot absorb the cost. We need there to be a rethink of the Labour Government's policy position.

Aoife Finnegan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat

[Translation: Thank you]

to the First Minister for her answer. I want to reiterate this: does the First Minister agree that public-sector employers must be fully supported by the British Government in meeting those costs?

Michelle O'Neill (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Yes. The challenges are being acutely felt across the public sector, which was already feeling challenged and was struggling because of 14 years of austerity. Put simply, when you are trying to deal with all those years of underfunding, lumping that additional cost on top of all that will be catastrophic for many people. I again call from the Chamber for a rethink of that policy. The National Insurance contribution hike will cause damage to so many people and our public sector. A lot of businesses are really worried about it. We will continue to do all that we can, and I assure the Member that we will not give up on fighting the case for local people.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Thank you, First Minister.

Members, take your ease for a moment.

Oral Answers to Questions — Communities

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

Mr Kearney is not in his place.

Colin Crawford (UUP, North Antrim)

2. Mr Crawford asked the Minister for Communities to outline any steps that he has taken to increase awareness of online scams among vulnerable groups. (AQO 1646/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

My Department is actively engaged in ensuring that claimants and those in vulnerable groups are aware of preventative measures to take in order to avoid online scams. Such measures include ensuring that claimants can detect potential scams, what action to take and whom to contact. Benefit information on nidirect sets out how my Department will liaise with or contact customers. Many of our online information pages signpost to the public sector's ScamwiseNI campaign, which provides advice on how to recognise and report a scam.

In addition, universal credit claimants have access to a guide within their online account that provides information on how to stay safe online and how to keep their universal credit account secure. My Department regularly uses social media messaging to promote scam awareness. The messages make it clear that we will never ask for details by text, email or a weblink. We also encourage customers to report anything suspicious to Action Fraud or its local office. Digital and IT courses are run regularly across the library network through the Go ON NI programme to help people develop their digital skills and to raise awareness. Those include courses on topics such as common internet scams and how to avoid them. Libraries NI also links up with partners to deliver activities as part of national initiatives such as Cyber Week and Safer Internet Day.

Colin Crawford (UUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Has he considered how he might fund some of our excellent community and voluntary organisations to deliver outreach initiatives to raise awareness of ever-changing scams and thus prevent individuals from falling foul of them?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

We want to do as much as we can to ensure that those who are especially vulnerable to scammers have all the information that they require in order to remain as vigilant as possible. If community and voluntary sector organisations wish to do that work, it will be up to them to fund it from their budget and to make the Department aware that such initiatives are part of the services that they provide so that funding opportunities can be considered.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

They may not have realised, but I remind the Members who just took their places that they should not walk in front of the Minister and the Member to whom he is responding.

Michelle Guy (Alliance, Lagan Valley)

Ministerial announcements such as that on the winter fuel payment trigger scammers to target beneficiaries. Given the number of older pensioners who are not online, what non-digital communication is the Minister providing to raise awareness of how the payment will be made and of how to avoid scammers, especially those who use the telephone to trick pensioners?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

In all the media announcements that I have made on the issue, I have made it clear that we will not ask people for any information, nor will we be sending out text messages. Instead, the winter fuel payment will be made automatically, and I hope that the Member will join me in making sure that our older people are made aware that we will not be contacting them via text message, and especially not to ask them for any information.

Keith Buchanan (DUP, Mid Ulster)

Minister, you have said that your Department will not send out texts about the winter fuel payment, given that there are those who are trying to scam people of whatever age. Can you provide an update on how the roll-out of the winter fuel payment is going?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

First, it is important to say that we will be contacting by letter those who are eligible, but we will not ask them to respond to it or to provide any information. As I said, the winter fuel payment will be made automatically. As I previously promised, the payment will be with those who are eligible for it by the end of the month, and we are still on track to make sure that that happens.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

Some scams have become so sophisticated — "good" is probably the wrong word to use — that it is very hard to determine what the real thing is and what the scam is. What interaction or collaboration has there been between your Department, the Department for the Economy and the PSNI to make people more aware of, and thus prevent, those awful scams, which, in some instances, have cleaned out people's bank accounts?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

First and foremost, I encourage people to be vigilant. We need to make sure that people are encouraging others to be vigilant as well and for them to consider whether they need to give out the information for which those scammers may be asking. We certainly do engage on a regular basis with the Department for the Economy. My Department, as the Member will be aware, sponsors the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, who has worked closely with the PSNI on the Scamwise initiative, which aims to raise awareness among older people of scams. The commissioner played a key role in establishing that partnership. I hope that people are aware of that and will take part in it. There is a responsibility on us all, as MLAs and as individuals, to do everything that we can to make sure that people are alert to the issue and recognise the importance of withholding information and not giving it out when it should not be given out. It is always best to take care, check and verify.

Paula Bradshaw (Alliance, Belfast South)

3. Ms Bradshaw asked the Minister for Communities to outline the timeline for the development of the gender strategy, as set out in New Decade, New Approach. (AQO 1647/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

The Department for Communities has led the development of a suite of social inclusion strategies, including a gender equality strategy, on behalf of the Executive. I have taken time to consider the work to date, alongside the unprecedented pressure on resources across Departments. Given the challenges that we face, I decided to move forward with reinvigorating the ongoing development of the social inclusion strategies on a phased basis. Work on the anti-poverty and disability strategies is ongoing, and details of the proposed next steps in developing the gender equality strategy will follow shortly. While the Department for Communities is leading on the development of the strategies, final decisions on their content, publication and implementation will be subject to Executive agreement and public consultation.

Paula Bradshaw (Alliance, Belfast South)

Thank you, Minister, for the update. I was glad to see, in the Programme for Government that we are debating today, the references to the social inclusion strategies, ending violence against women and girls, gender equality and women returning to the workforce. It is important that you bring forward the gender equality strategy as soon as possible. The women's groups that are lobbying for it would probably appreciate a firmer timeline for when that will happen.

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

If the Member's question is to ask me for that timeline, I will say that I do not have it right now. As I said, I am taking those strategies forward on a phased basis. There has been a promise for many years that the anti-poverty strategy would be in place, and it is not. It is right that I take a phased approach, but I will, of course, update the House in due course.

Diane Forsythe (DUP, South Down)

Does the Minister agree that some of the gender ideologies espoused by the Alliance Party may, in fact, be detrimental to women?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

The Member, not for the first time, is absolutely right. I do not think that the Alliance Party actually cares about this issue. What it is most interested in is tipping its hat to the gender ideologies that she mentioned. When it comes to choosing between standing up for women or adherence to those gender ideologies, the Alliance Party will choose those gender ideologies every single time. Worse still, the Alliance Party cannot even define what a woman is never mind stand up for one.

Justin McNulty (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Minister, of the clients who accessed community advice services during 2023-24, 58% were women. Will the gender equality strategy recognise the disproportionate impact on women of many cuts to benefits?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

The whole point of the gender equality strategy is to make sure that people are protected where there is a difference in outcomes. It will be up to Departments to decide individual actions, and those will require Executive approval. The whole point of the gender equality strategy is to make sure that those issues can be addressed.

Gerry Carroll (People Before Profit Alliance, Belfast West)

I urge the Minister not to engage in trans bashing. It is not a good look.

As part of the gender equality strategy, has the Minister's Department discussed introducing a financial payment to help women to flee situations of domestic violence where they are at risk?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

Of course we want to help those who are at risk, and that is work that the Housing Executive is taking forward.

I take issue with the Member's first comment. It is easy for him to say that anytime anyone is critical of the gender ideology that he espouses, it is "trans bashing". It absolutely is not. We simply want to protect women. The policies that he espouses would actually harm women and put them in difficult and dangerous situations. He can throw whatever insults he wants at this side of the House, but we will continue to stand up for what is plainly and evidently the truth.

Some Members

Hear, hear.

Timothy Gaston (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Will the Minister take this opportunity to enlighten the Member who tabled the question for oral answer on how many genders there are?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

There are two genders.

Some Members

Hear, hear.

Alan Chambers (UUP, North Down)

4. Mr Chambers asked the Minister for Communities for an update on recent discussions with the Crown Estate in relation to the Queen's Parade project in Bangor. (AQO 1648/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

My officials have been working closely with Ards and North Down Borough Council and the developer, Bangor Marine, and, as a result of that work, heads of terms have now been agreed with the Crown Estate. The developer, the council and my officials are finalising the legal agreements to enable a start on the site. Those discussions are close to completion, and I will provide a further update in the next few weeks.

Alan Chambers (UUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for that very welcome news. Locally, there has been a lot of ill-informed and negative speculation that the current development plans were going to fail. Will the Minister offer some reassurance to the local population? In the past, people have been failed so many times at the last hurdle. Will the Minister give some level of reassurance that this development is on course to start?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I am fully aware of the frustrations that exist on the ground. On one of my first ministerial visits, Mr Dunne took me along to meet the people who are most involved with that project. I know how long it has been going on — it has been decades — and I know the frustrations that exist. The Member has my commitment that I want to do everything that I can to make sure that it moves forward. My Department has been acting appropriately in that regard to make sure that we can make progress, because this has the potential to be a game changer. People have waited for too long, and I will not be found wanting in making sure that we do everything that we can to ensure that it proceeds.

Connie Egan (Alliance, North Down)

I hope that the Minister appreciates that this is really frustrating for people in Bangor. Does the Minister have a timeline for when building at Queen's Parade will start?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I do not have a timeline for that. There are still some issues to be worked out, but, as I have said, I recognise the concerns and the length of time that it has taken. I want to make sure that we push it forward as much as possible, and I will certainly do everything that I can in the Department to make sure that that is the case.

Peter Martin (DUP, North Down)

Minister, the Queen's Parade scheme and its completion have what you might call "legendary status" for the residents of Bangor. Will the Minister ensure that there is continued local engagement on the development in its final stages?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

Yes, absolutely, I can commit to that. My Department leads a project board for the Queen's Parade development scheme, and we have created a subgroup to make sure that we can focus on communication and stakeholder engagement. We will continue to engage with local stakeholders throughout the delivery of the scheme, especially when we approach key milestones, to ensure that they are engaged and informed. Bangor Marine will also keep the local community informed of progress throughout the consultation phases. I know that businesses in the area are crying out for action to be taken. I understand the frustration, and I commit personally to making sure that I do everything that I can to progress it.

Diane Dodds (DUP, Upper Bann)

5. Mrs Dodds asked the Minister for Communities to outline how much money will be invested in 2025 and 2026 for disability housing adaptation schemes. (AQO 1649/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

The Housing Executive administers the disabled facilities grant on behalf of my Department. The grant provides funding for adaptations for those with a disability who live in private-sector homes. In the 2024-25 financial year, the Housing Executive received £14·75 million in funding for private-sector home improvement grants, which include the statutory disabled facilities grant. The Housing Executive has advised that it expects to invest £13·91 million of that funding in adaptations via the disabled facilities grants. Those grants and adaptations are in response to need, so each year’s allocation is based on the estimated requirement. Therefore, I cannot confirm investment in disability housing adaptation schemes for 2025 and 2026 at this stage.

Following Executive agreement of the draft 2025-26 Budget on 19 December, the Department of Finance launched a 12-week public consultation period, which is due to close on 13 March. My officials have commenced work on options to live within a further year’s constrained budget and the impacts of that. An equality impact assessment of the Department’s 2025-26 Budget allocation will be drafted and published for consultation to inform the final 2025-26 Budget allocations.

I assure the Member that my Department is committed to ensuring that funding is available for those who require disability-related adaptations that will enable them to live safely in their home.

Diane Dodds (DUP, Upper Bann)

Thank you, Minister. It is good to hear about the amount of money that is being invested in that way, because it is being invested on behalf of the most vulnerable people in our community. I hope that you will have a reasonable budget for that.

I also hope that you understand the issues with the disabled facilities grant, including the number of reports that have to be made in order to gain it. Minister, will you commit to looking at the case of a young constituent of mine who is disabled and living in a downstairs bedroom and who urgently needs a disabled facilities grant in order to live her best life?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I want to make sure that we have the budget to cover the needs of everyone in Northern Ireland who needs that help. I will certainly do my best to ensure that that financial support is there. I am sorry to hear about the individual case that the Member raised. We should want for her constituent, and for everybody else who needs them, those adaptations to be in place. We will all have heard stories of people who find it difficult to get by and to just to live their life in the accommodation they are in without the changes that they require. I suggest that the Member contact me directly with those details, and I will be happy to chase up that issue on her behalf.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

During the most recent meeting of the Committee for Communities, it was made aware of the fact that the disabled facilities grant may be funded but that no budget would be allocated to the Housing Executive for it to make disability adaptations to its properties. In the shameful absence of the disability strategy, does the Minister agree that failing to provide accessible housing to meet the needs of tenants is discrimination?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I brought forward a housing supply strategy for exactly that reason: to make sure that we have the necessary homes in place. That is why a target is in place for 10% of new-build starts of general needs units to be wheelchair accessible. I am making sure that I do everything that I can to ensure that we have the facilities there. Clearly, I want to make sure that, at the same time, we have the ability to adapt existing buildings. The Member will understand the constrained budgetary environment that we are operating in, but yet another reason why we need to see the revitalisation of the Housing Executive is so that we can fund the improvements and adaptations that our constituents need.

Cara Hunter (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

There are 1,079 delays to adaptations to the housing of people living with a disability. Minister, what are you doing to end those delays and speed things up?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I hope that the Member is aware that, as part of the Housing Executive-administered private-sector grant review, we are working closely with the Housing Executive and the Department of Health to identify measures to improve the operation of the disabled facilities grant and to reduce end-to-end processing times. One of the measures that is being considered is a fast-track process for people with life-limiting illnesses. I have asked my officials to prioritise that work.

Since 2022, the Housing Executive has reduced the average wait time for the disabled facilities grant by 141 days. That is a significant improvement, but the current wait time for adaptations is still too long, and, as part of the review, I am keen to reduce it further. My officials are looking into what further changes can be made in partnership with Health and the Housing Executive.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

6. Mr Irwin asked the Minister for Communities to outline the proposed actions that the task and finish group will undertake as part of his Department’s zero tolerance approach to benefit fraud. (AQO 1650/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

The terms of reference for the task and finish group are being drafted. As I set out in my statement to the House on 11 February, that group will look critically at every intervention that we take and focus on the high-risk areas in order to maximise the return on investment for hard-working taxpayers. That will include exploring digital developments to support counter-fraud activity. The task and finish group will also examine prosecutions, data retention, the recovery of fraud overpayments and official error to ensure that we are using every tool that is at our disposal to get the right money to the right people at the right time. That is a priority for me and for people right across Northern Ireland, who place their trust in the integrity of our welfare system. Through the task and finish group, I want to recognise the importance of the safety net that our welfare system provides and the imperative of ensuring that every penny goes to those who are genuinely eligible.

The focus of the task and finish group will be about building on the good work that is under way in my Department and ensuring that we have robust mechanisms in place to identify fraud at the earliest opportunity, to stop money going out the door and, importantly, to recover money that has been claimed under false pretences.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for his response. What action is he taking to ensure that concerns from his members of staff, particularly in jobs and benefits offices, are heard and that action is taken?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I am grateful to the Member for raising those questions because the members of staff to whom he refers are at the coalface. I want to make sure that they are heard. There are processes in place to raise concerns, and I encourage all those with information or concerns to continue to raise them through those channels. I send a message to my staff today that I want to work with them; we are in this together. I will work with them so that we can tackle that critical issue, and if further action needs to be taken, it will be taken, because I believe that fraud is wrong. Some people in the House have said that £163 million is only a small figure. I believe that that money can be better spent on public services and on protecting the people in Northern Ireland who need it.

Colm Gildernew (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Minister, your statement referenced the decision to change the policy around so-called naming and shaming. What evidence did you look at to justify that change?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

The first bit of evidence that stood out was the fact that we have seen a doubling of welfare fraud in percentage terms over the past number of years. Quite simply, I believe that if you have been found to have deliberately misrepresented your circumstances, it is right that, as part of the judicial process, you be named. I hope that that will be a deterrent to those who might be tempted to do it and that it might send a message to the public that we are taking the issue seriously.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

Given that customer error overpayments totalled some £50·8 million in 2023, what analysis has been done to understand why those errors are occurring, and how can systems be simplified to prevent them in the future?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

Those are also issues that we take on board. We do have a record of tackling official error, but we need to go further, so, in addition to management checks in individual benefit branches, specialist teams use a risk-based approach to target areas that may give rise to official errors. That amounted to over 23,000 cases being reviewed last year for accuracy, leading to the adjustment of benefit in 4, 447 cases. All errors are highlighted to staff to aid continuous learning. I want us to tackle fraud, but we need to tackle error as well.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

7. Mr T Buchanan asked the Minister for Communities for his assessment of his Department’s funding for musical instruments for organisations in the arts, culture and community sectors. (AQO 1651/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

It is my assessment that the musical instruments programme, which is an important capital investment programme delivered by the Arts Council on behalf of my Department, aligns well with the principles and priorities that I set out in my written ministerial statement of 3 July 2024 on the heritage, culture and creativity programme. Those are: focusing on the contribution that each of the sectors can make in equality of access and opportunity across socio-economic grouping, age, geography and so on; encouraging greater participation, particularly from people and communities that might feel that heritage is not for them or that their cultural or artistic activities and traditions don’t quite fit; and exploring the potential for encouraging new and deeper collaborations and partnerships, supporting greater financial sustainability across the sectors and identifying approaches and opportunities that maximise the value of those important assets and their potential for identifying, measuring and increasing their contribution to achieving Department and Executive policy outcomes, including in relation to health and general well-being, education and the economy.

I want to ensure that priority is given to providing support that reaches younger people from more deprived areas, those living in rural areas and areas that are distant from Belfast and those not currently engaged in cultural activities. With a total investment of £823,000 in 2024-25, all eligible applicants were supported through 119 grant awards to 75 bands, 13 professional and non-professional performing groups and 31 professional musicians. From marching bands and school groups to traditional musicians and musical societies, musicians can replace older worn-out instruments and purchase new ones, thereby increasing the quality of music-making in Northern Ireland.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his response. I know some of the benefits that this has brought to some of the folk who have received it. Can the Minister, at this early stage, give any indication of how many people might have benefited from the scheme?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

Absolutely. The investment — it is an investment — will mean that 4,500 people will directly benefit across every constituency in Northern Ireland. It is unusual for a grant scheme to have made such a significant impact across such a wide geographic area, and I will look to expand on that work in the future.

Andrew McMurray (Alliance, South Down)

Given that more than 85% of the latest round of musical instruments for bands funding was awarded to those from one particular background, how does the Minister's Department intend to ensure that the funding reaches a diverse range of musical genres and cultural traditions in Northern Ireland?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I have the full list of all those who were eligible. First, the funding is awarded on a fair and equitable basis. There should not be any indication coming from the Member that that was not the case. Many different organisations from many different backgrounds have applied for the musical instruments scheme. We have bands, yes, from all backgrounds, we have individuals from all backgrounds, and many professional and non-professional performing groups from all over Northern Ireland got the funding that they require to increase the musical capacity in Northern Ireland. We should welcome the investment. We should welcome the fact that it was made all over Northern Ireland. We should welcome the fact that it will encourage more people to get involved in the arts, often from communities and backgrounds that might not normally have the opportunity. I am very proud of what we have been able to deliver.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

8. Miss McIlveen asked the Minister for Communities for his assessment of the impact of the financial constraints on Northern Ireland Water on the delivery of the housing supply strategy. (AQO 1652/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I fully recognise the potential impact that the financial constraints faced by NI Water may have on the delivery of the Executive's housing supply strategy. Indeed, the necessity of addressing waste water capacity limitations is referred to clearly throughout the strategy. I have had a number of meetings in recent weeks with representatives of the construction sector who have spoken to me about the growing impact of these constraints on their ability to deliver homes. In light of that, I have written to the Minister for Infrastructure to highlight my concerns about the issue and to express again the need to identify new actions to address it. I look forward to working with her and her Department to develop those actions. It is important to emphasise that the strategy is centred on a whole-system approach to supply and that the Executive are committed to working collaboratively to address all barriers to supply, including water infrastructure.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for his response. I appreciate that this is a DFI issue, which has cross-cutting consequences that impact on all other Departments. What further action is the Minister taking to ensure that DFI addresses the waste water infrastructure challenges that we are facing?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

First, we now have two documents that highlight the importance of the issue — documents that have been called for over a long time. First, we now have in place the housing supply strategy that was agreed by all Executive Ministers, and I expect that it will be given the priority that it deserves. People signed up to that. It is important that we work together to deliver on that issue. We have said that it is a priority for the Executive, and the Programme for Government published today recognises that it is a priority. Again, for many years, there were calls for housing to be a stand-alone outcome in the Programme for Government, and that is something that I have delivered.

I want to make sure that all Ministers are aware of the responsibilities that they face, and, to that end, I have asked for a meeting with the Infrastructure Minister so that we can make sure that the commitments that we have promised in signing up to that document are fulfilled.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Belfast South)

We now move to topical questions.

Daniel McCrossan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

T1. Mr McCrossan asked the Minister for Communities, given that the Programme for Government picture book, which is what it is like, says that, by the end of this mandate, we will have started work on at least 5,850 new build homes and given that the waiting list currently sits at 47,000 with 35,000 in housing stress, whether he agrees with the First Minister's assessment of the document as "ambitious" and whether he believes that his target is ambitious for the many thousands of people who are without a home. (AQT 1091/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

First, we have delivered on the issue by having a stand-alone outcome in the Programme for Government. For the first time, we have an Executive who have recognised the issue's importance. Secondly, we have a housing supply strategy in place. I have ambitions for this place and for our housing in particular, which is why I have not waited for a draft Programme for Government to be published before I have taken action. We have made sure that there is more funding available for social housing. When I came into office this year, we thought that, with the money that we have, we would be in a position to start only 400 homes. I have increased that, and, this year, we will start over 1,400 homes. That is not the height of my ambition, but it shows what we can achieve when we put our mind to it. I want to make sure that we increase even more, not just social homes but supply across Northern Ireland. That is what I am committed to doing.

Daniel McCrossan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

Thank you, Minister. Given the pace at which government operates in this place, the question that we probably all have is about when they will be finished. Given that one of the key hurdles in delivering housing in Northern Ireland is a lack of waste water infrastructure, as someone who sits at the Executive table, Minister, are you disappointed that the lack of investment in waste water infrastructure has not even been mentioned in the document? Is your target an actual target?

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I want to go beyond what we have said. It is the same with the housing supply strategy. We have set a plan for 100,000 homes, but I want to make sure that we increase that and go further.

On waste water, if the Member had been listening to my answer to the previous question, he would know that I have set out the concerns that I have and the action that we need to take. Certainly, I will not be found wanting in making sure that we push the issue and get delivery.

Linda Dillon (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

T2. Mrs Dillon asked the Minister for Communities to explain the rationale for setting the partnership funding criterion for the football fund at 40% for council-owned grounds and 5% for all other eligible applicants. (AQT 1092/22-27)

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

It is because the expectation, when it comes to funding for publicly owned grounds, is that they will pay a greater contribution than those in the private sector.

Linda Dillon (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Can you outline what engagement you or your Department had with the councils in the development of the co-design of the football fund? Forty per cent seems quite substantial.

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

My understanding is that that is in line with other funding pots that are in place. We have to remember that the fund is coming forward because there is market failure and because additional support is required and some may not have the finances to do that themselves. We understand that it is generally the expectation that councils find themselves in a different position, but, of course, I am more than happy to listen to any concerns that people have expressed.