All of Ms Claire Sugden’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. When I was co-opted as an MLA nearly 11 years ago, I felt that the most important thing for me to do was get out into my constituency so that I could get to know the people whom I was representing and, equally, they could get to know me. What I was struck by in East Londonderry was the number of…
I beg to move This is my first opportunity in nearly 11 years as an independent MLA to lead private Member's business. I have chosen to focus on the issue of strategic planning for an ageing population. I believe that it is the most important and necessary action that this Government and Assembly can take for the…
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of the potential for business closures due to (i) rising operational costs; and (ii) the planned reduction in rates relief.
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail how her Department intends to support businesses in managing wage pressures associated with the increase in the national living wage and employers' National Insurance contributions.
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any engagement that has taken place between her Department and representatives of the (i) retail sector; and (ii) hospitality sector in relation to the impact of increased labour costs.
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any plans in place to prevent potential job losses in Northern Ireland resulting from increased operational costs for businesses.
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any measures her Department will take to promote and sustain tourism-related businesses in Northern Ireland’s coastal towns in light of recent cost pressures.
I thank the Minister for that answer. My biggest concern for courthouses across Northern Ireland is primarily access to justice, but also the impact on rural areas of removing courthouses. As part of the review, will the Minister look at an impact assessment to ensure that we take into account all the aspects of why…
Recent events in Coleraine have once again highlighted the issue of women and girls' safety in Northern Ireland, the threat to which is pervasive. The discovery of a bag containing suspicious items near a family home has understandably caused distress in our community. Although the police indicated that the incident…
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any consideration that was given to the long-term educational and social impacts on children of discontinuing the Healthy Happy Minds programme.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the number of (i) primary schools that previously benefitted from therapy service funding; and (ii) children supported through these services.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail how his Department intends to monitor the potential impact of not providing funding for therapy services on educational outcomes and mental health for children.
To ask the Minister of Education whether his Department has considered sourcing alternative funding streams to continue the provision of therapy to children in primary schools, given the growing concern in relation to children’s mental health.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail how his Department is working with other Executive Departments to ensure that primary school children continue to have access to vital mental health and therapy services.
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…
To ask the Minister of Justice to detail (i) any financial support available for low-income families seeking controllership; and (ii) whether reforms are being considered to reduce the cost burden.
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the resources and training currently provided to healthcare professionals to advise families on the legal options available for decision-making support.
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail how his Department ensures that financial planning services for individuals with disabilities and their families are accessible and aligned with best practices in other jurisdictions.
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail how his Department supports disabled individuals and their families in managing financial and personal affairs when controllership is not available.
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the steps his Department is taking to ensure that vulnerable adults without family support are provided with appropriate decision-making assistance.
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any considerations to increase the financial support provided through schemes such as the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme to better align with the rising costs of childcare.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any collaborative work being undertaken with his Executive colleagues in order to prioritise and accelerate the development and implementation of a comprehensive childcare strategy.
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the development of a full Early Learning and Childcare Strategy, including (i) the current status; (ii) key milestones; and (iii) expected timelines for publication.
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of the impact of rising childcare costs on workforce participation, particularly amongst women.
To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on when Housing Executive staff can expect to receive the National Joint Council for Local Government Services National Pay Award.