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.
The work being done through local economic partnerships, the particular focus that we have put on the development of the Magee campus and ensuring that we reach the target of 10,000 students and the task force that was put in place to report on that have been really positive and constructive. Our further education…
The skills fund, which aligns with the economic vision, supports a range of initiatives, including a new SKILL UP programme for those aged 18 and older who are eligible to work here that aims to develop our workforce in priority sectors. SKILL UP courses range from entry level to level 7, are fully funded and are…
I thank the Member for that question. It is a really important issue that we need to address, and it is one that I am committed to taking forward. Ensuring that skills, training and education opportunities are available to everybody, regardless of their ability, is really important, particularly in relation to…
NISRA's labour force survey reported that, in 2023, approximately 40% of people here aged 16 to 64 held a qualification at level 4 or above. East Antrim compares favourably with that, with a rate of over 43%. I am committed to continuing the work of my predecessor in addressing subregional disparities such as those in…
I thank the Member for his good wishes. Community wealth building has an important role to play in creating a more regionally balanced economy. I welcome the collaborative approach that the Larne partnership and the North West Community Wealth Building Partnership are taking. I recognise the huge potential that that…
Payment of the real living wage is a key element of a good job. The Department for the Economy gives financial support, providing £125,000 per year to the full-time living wage franchise here to encourage uptake of the real living wage and provide accreditation in the North for the first time. A consultation on…
We continue to make positive progress on community wealth building and the nine recommendations outlined in the 2022 community wealth building report that I am responsible for taking forward. Along with my colleagues the Minister of Finance and the Minister for Communities, I will be meeting Development Trusts and…
Again, as I said in my earlier answer, access to education and skills is a top priority for me, and I will work with Ulster University on its plans for all its campuses. As the Member will be aware, universities are autonomous institutions, so it is for them to make decisions on how they spend their money. I will be…
I see no contradiction in my position between what I said previously and what I say now. The consistent message is that we have been underfunded and need to be properly funded on the basis of our level of need in order to deliver for all our citizens. The Member may be aware from my presentations to the Finance…
As I said in my response to Dr Aiken, skills and access to education are key priorities for me. When I look at the draft budget allocation, I will try to put as much funding as possible into ensuring that we can deliver on education and training and on the priorities that we have in that area. We are still going…
As the Member will know, Magee is one of my top priorities, and it is an Executive priority. While the Budget settlement is extremely challenging, Magee is an area that I have prioritised.
All Departments' budgets are extremely challenging, as, I am sure, the Member will be aware. The Executive's fiscal position is extremely difficult owing to years of underfunding from the British Government. Indeed, my Department's resource baseline for 2025-26 is 5% less than it was for 2020-21. DFE has £83 million…
I thank the Member for his question. My predecessor engaged with senior representatives from Boeing and Airbus on the sale of Spirit's local operation. My officials and I will continue to engage with all interested parties including TEO, the British Government, the business and other stakeholders to ensure the best…
First of all, it is important to say that no Government should arm Israel. Invest NI has assured me that it does not support projects that arm Israel, and no evidence has been presented to the contrary. However, I have asked Invest NI to review its investments to make absolutely sure that that is the case. It is…
I thank the Member for that. One issue that cuts across all of what we are trying to achieve economically is skills and people's ability to access appropriate skills and training. That is certainly a priority for me. Just this morning, I attended the launch of the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre's update of…
My predecessor identified the aerospace sector as a strategic subsector in the 'Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering Sectoral Action Plan', which was published last year. That sector offers strong growth potential. The action plan sets out a range of activities including investment in people and skills,…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. , and thank you for that welcome. I thank the Member who secured the debate on what is an important issue. As one who lived in Belfast for over a decade and who, like Deborah Erskine, still enjoys a night out in it, I must say that it is a great city in which to go out. It…
I thank the Member for his good wishes. I do not agree with his comments about the Department. What I said was that the Department had limited levers with a number of telecommunication companies. They are private companies regulated by Ofcom, and telecommunications is a reserved matter. Fibrus is the company that we…
I thank the Member for his good wishes. As I have indicated, the relationship between me, as Minister, and the telecommunications companies has limitations, because that is a reserved matter. However, we have publicly funded contracts in which there is a direct interest and communication. Looking at this experience…
I concur with much of what the Member has said. Real inconvenience is being experienced by so many people, and the impact of the lack of connectivity is really significant not just for households but for people, particularly in rural communities, who are trying to do business. As I said, the Department for the Economy…
I thank the Member for raising that important issue. Mobile and broadband connectivity is absolutely vital to people's ability to communicate with family and friends, access services and run their businesses. The loss of connectivity as a result of storm Éowyn has therefore caused real hardship. Telecommunications are…
The Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements (Amendment) (Extension to Switzerland etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (Withdrawn) That the Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Implementation of International Recognition Agreements…
I thank the Member for that question. I hosted a banking round-table event on 20 November, and a wide range of stakeholders was there, including representatives from Cash Access UK, the banking industry, trade unions, business bodies, community and voluntary organisations and the Consumer Council. The chief executive…
The Member is quite right: the £113 million is a condition of the financial package and relates to the write-off of £559 million of overspends that were accrued while the Executive were being underfunded. It is our view, therefore, that there should not have been any conditions. Income generation, in my view, must be…
Since the publication of the Executive's Budget sustainability plan at the beginning of October, my officials have continued to progress the work to deliver the key commitments contained in the plan. When it comes to public finances, our aim is to secure and maintain long-term fiscal sustainability alongside the…