All of Dr Caoimhe Archibald’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I thank the Member for his question. As I indicated in my responses earlier, the scheme itself is expected to cost up to £196 million AME over the 10 years, and then there is a departmental expenditure limit (DEL) resource cost alongside. That frees up approximately £100 million AME that, once the scheme has been…
I thank the Member for his question. Earlier today, I announced the proposed way forward on RHI, following Executive approval on 18 September. My Department will now act swiftly to launch a public consultation and introduce the necessary legislation and regulations to give participants a tariff uplift for the coming…
Builders and those who provide home improvement services need to comply with a significant number of consumer protection laws. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, consumers who enter into a contract for goods and services can expect those to be supplied with reasonable care and skill. That applies to all traders,…
The Department's Trading Standards Service delivers consumer protection and enforcement on the ground. It delivers a front-line public protection function for the benefit of our consumers, businesses and the wider economy. That function comprises the twin aims of protecting consumers, particularly the most vulnerable,…
My Department’s Trading Standards Service has received the following number of consumer complaints in each of the last five years: in 2020, 10,583; in 2021, 9,799; in 2022, 12,708; in 2023, 12,622; in 2024, 10,817; and, to date in 2025, 6,962.
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I will update the Assembly on the closure of the non-domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme. Members will recall that 'New Decade, New Approach' (NDNA), which formed the basis for restoring the Executive in 2020, included a commitment to close the RHI and…
I thank Members for their consideration of the Bill and their contributions to the debate. I am pleased to note the support that the Bill has commanded across the Chamber. I am also grateful to members of the Committee for the Economy for their contributions to the debate and for their scrutiny of the Bill so far. It…
Physical infrastructure in colleges is being addressed, and I set that out in my initial statement. It is one of the actions that can be taken quickly in order to help to support people with disabilities, including young people and people of all ages, while they are at college. Following the announcements that I made,…
In order to improve that provision, my Department has commissioned the Education and Training Inspectorate to undertake an evaluation of the current provision in FE colleges. That work is under way, with the report expected in the autumn. I have also asked officials to develop a statutory assessment and support model…
My departmental officials work closely with DAERA officials on that area. We have had the opportunity to meet some businesses with a real interest in it and that have some sound proposals on a way forward that would utilise, as the Member said, the energy from not only anaerobic digestion but the other things that…
I thank the Member for his question. That is an area of the Department's work that continues to be under policy development. We have established a pathfinder group to look at the development of biomethane policy. We are working through the first stages of that and are gathering evidence and information. We will bring…
I absolutely agree. I had the pleasure of attending the Tradfest launch and referenced it at the world's biggest tourism conference in Berlin. During that conference, countries from across the world host events to sell their tourist offerings to tour operators. The competition to attract interest is fierce. In Berlin,…
I thank the Member for her question. I agree that St Mary's and Stranmillis are both excellent institutions, and I am determined to secure their long-term sustainability. I am finalising the terms of reference for the higher education funding review, and St Mary's and Stranmillis will be considered within that. The…
The Utility Regulator consulted on the issue in 2023, setting out proposals for guaranteed standards of service for electricity suppliers and the level of compensatory payments and asked respondents to comment on them. Those proposals included the introduction of a guaranteed standard of service during cases of severe…
I thank the Member for his question. We all recognise that the impact of climate change means that we are experiencing more severe weather events, and our communities are bearing the brunt of those events. It is important that we ensure that the level of service that customers receive from their utility providers is…
First, we have given the space to the Belfast region city deal group and its partners to bring forward proposals. I am happy to engage with them as they do that, and it is important that they take the necessary time and space to consider the opportunities and options that are in front of them and how to best utilise…
I thank the Member for her question. Many of us recognise the importance of the Mournes as a tourism attraction. I had the opportunity to attempt to mount Slieve Donard, but I did not get all the way to the top. The Mournes are a really important asset that we have. They add to the collective assets that we are really…
Following constructive engagement with Queen's University, a resolution has been reached that provides the funding needed for the university to proceed with the Momentum One Zero project. I am fully committed to the Momentum One Zero project and recognise its strategic importance to Queen's University, the Belfast…
I thank the Member for his question. The Department was allocated a £9·8 million resource departmental expenditure limit, which will enable me to provide £7 million to the higher education sector. In addition, £2·8 million resource funding has been secured for energy. Regarding capital, DFE was allocated £2·5 million,…
One of the particular areas of focus that we discussed with Minister Shanks was community ownership and community benefit models, so that local communities get buy-in and are able to drive forward their own energy agenda. That is something that the Government are keen to promote through GB Energy. From a departmental…
I thank the Member for his question. I have had the opportunity to engage with the Ministers responsible. Officials continue to engage at official level on GB Energy and the proposals that are being brought forward in that regard. As I mentioned, I was in London just under a fortnight ago. I met Minister Michael…
I thank the Member for his question. I had the opportunity to visit Belfast International Airport very recently to see the enhancements made during the redevelopment of the terminal. I also had the opportunity to discuss the airport's further plans, and I am happy to continue to engage with it in that regard. My…
Attracting productivity-enhancing, regionally distributed inward investment is central to my Department's economic strategy for the North. I am committed to strengthening our position as a leading destination for global investment. The North has a proven track record of attracting high-value, innovative investment,…
I thank the Member for his question. The British Government's spending review was announced on 11 June. They have committed to the creation of a new local growth fund to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund, but they have, so far, failed to provide the detail about the fund and how it will be delivered. We do know,…
As I said, we hope to establish it very soon, and we aim to have an action plan published before the end of the year. The group's work will then continue over the next three years. Its membership is still to be finalised, but the broad groups that I mentioned — government, academia, business support organisations,…