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.
As the Member will know, the task force published its final report and action plan on 16 December. The report provides a comprehensive and costed plan to deliver 10,000 students for Magee and highlights the significant milestones that have already been achieved in the early stages of the expansion, including the…
I thank the Member for her question. She makes an important point. The local economic partnerships are about empowering areas to address their specific needs and align them with the departmental priorities. There will, of course, be opportunities for all councils and all areas in them to do that. I know that every MLA…
Since the launch of the subregional economic plan in October 2024, positive progress has been made. Reforms in DFE include a dedicated regional balance unit, which has been set up in a new social and regional economy division. It brings together complementary work streams, including the social enterprise action plan…
I thank the Member for his question. As I outlined, a range of work is being undertaken to further explore and harness the potential of AI, to ensure that we have the skills pipeline to support it and to ensure that we support businesses on the adoption of AI. Cyber is one of the Department's priority sectors. We have…
As I have said, the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre, which is an initiative that my Department and Invest NI are supporting, promotes awareness of the adoption of AI amongst businesses and offers support and skills development opportunities. The AICC is engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. I am…
My Department has delivered an AI proof of concept to explore economic data and policy documents and to assist with research. Officials are actively exploring opportunities for the use of AI. As I said to Kate Nicholl, I am aware that other Departments and, indeed, other Administrations are taking forward…
I thank the Member for her interest in AI, because her questions for written answer are also helping inform me. AI clearly has huge potential, but it comes with challenges, and people have concerns about it. It is therefore important that we address AI's potential and its challenges. In my previous role, I was…
I thank the Member for his question. It is important that we continue to upskill individuals and businesses alike. Inclusivity is priority for us across the skills landscape in order to ensure that people from a broad range of backgrounds are able to access skills and training courses, particularly those from…
Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant technological developments in recent times. It will bring about significant change in the economy and the workforce, and it offers potential to contribute to my economic vision, most obviously in relation to productivity and good jobs. Last Monday, I met Napier…
I thank the Member for his question. The Department recently conducted a consultation — a call for evidence — in relation to energy efficiency support, so we will look at the analysis of that and bring forward proposals in the near future.
As I mentioned, the scheme has a budget of £40 million over, I think, five years — yes, it is a five-year grant programme valued at £40 million. That is based on applications being processed. As I said, we have 1,300 enquiries, which is an exceptionally high level of interest, and those are at various stages through…
Scheme delivery has been ongoing for nine months, and we are beginning to see some trends in the data. For instance, solar photovoltaic is the most popular technology that businesses wish to deploy. The enquiries come from a mix of businesses, with the majority coming from manufacturing industries and the retail and…
Decarbonising the economy is one of my four departmental priorities. The energy efficiency capital grant helps businesses reduce their energy demand and build resilience through green efficiency. The grant is part of a wider suite of support delivered by Invest NI across the wider energy and resource efficiency…
The Member has heard me say repeatedly to other Members that childcare is a priority for the Executive. This financial year, 2024-25, we were able to ring-fence that £25 million, and the Minister of Education brought forward proposals that were supported by the Executive. I have outlined actions undertaken by my…
As I have mentioned to other Members, childcare is a priority across the Executive. I wholeheartedly welcome the positive steps that are being taken by the Education Minister and others towards supporting child development, improving affordability for families and supporting parents to work. Our economic vision sets…
I thank the Member for her question, and I agree with a lot of what she has said. Childcare is critical economic infrastructure in addressing the challenges of gender equality. It is also crucial for child development, so it is really important that we get it right. Rightly, it is a priority for the Minister of…
As I mentioned, childcare is, rightly, a priority for the whole Executive. It is a priority in the draft Programme for Government (PFG) because, collectively, we recognise the huge challenges for parents struggling with access to affordable childcare and for childcare providers in the cost of doing business. The…
With the Speaker's permission, I will group questions 2 and 6. On 23 May 2024, the Executive agreed a package of measures and allocated an additional £25 million to the Minister of Education to enhance early learning and childcare support in 2024-25. The package included, amongst other things, a commitment to provide…
Decarbonisation is one of my four key objectives. Transitioning to net zero is the right thing to do, and it offers economic opportunities. In order to grasp those opportunities, it is vital to equip the workforce with the necessary skills. My Department has been working in collaboration with the green skills delivery…
International Women’s Day 2025 That this Assembly welcomes the theme of Accelerate Action for International Women’s Day 2025; recognises that focusing on the need to accelerate action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality; and supports increased momentum and urgency in…
It would be bad form if they were to plough on regardless, as, I am sure, the Member would agree. As I said, if the LCM is not passed, it does not preclude GB Energy, as a company, from operating in the North and we would have absolutely no ability to shape what is developed or taken forward. The approval of the…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank Members for their contributions and welcome the interest that has been shown in this important issue. As I set out in my opening remarks, it is not yet clear how GB Energy will operate in practice. Indications from the British Government are that it will drive…
I beg to move A key priority of my Department's economic plan is the decarbonisation of our economy. It is a moral obligation to future generations. The transition to net zero also creates the opportunity to increase the number of good jobs, raise productivity and drive regional balance across the North. Anything that…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Members who tabled the motion, and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. I agree with Mr Brett about the importance of hospitality and tourism to our local economy. The figures have been quoted already this evening.…