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Mr Gordon Lyons: Assembly records
All of Mr Gordon Lyons’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I have considered the work of the co-design group on the draft strategy in depth over recent weeks. I have to say that I have some concerns about what is in there. It portrays itself as a document of inclusion, but I am concerned about its ideological nature. In particular, I do not believe that it has been…
QualifyingGender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Dog-whistle messaging.
Very important work is being done, and we want those groups to be sustainable. I ask the MLAs or whatever political representatives are going to be there to write to me jointly after the meeting with any suggestions as to how we might be able to help out. If there something that we can do, we will, of course, do it.
That was raised with me briefly, and I know the concern that many have expressed. The Member will understand where we are with the budgetary situation and that we are unable to provide all the certainty that we might otherwise like to. However, I am more than happy to take any specific examples of pressure that people…
I assure the Member that that is not the intention. We want to make sure that the card covers everybody and anybody who can supply. We will do work over the coming months to make sure that that is the case. One of the reasons why it will take longer is that we do not currently have that distribution list.
That is the difficulty with having a policy in place that does not have the necessary infrastructure right now to support people. I have said that it will take at least three months before we can get that out to people. Further consultation will be required with some of the key stakeholders and those who will assist…
We are bringing them forward. As I said in the initial answer, public consultations will follow in sequence, and the majority of the process will be completed before the summer. We want to give that time so that people who have an interest in the overlapping policies have time to respond. I want to make sure that it…
I am pleased to confirm that the preparation of public consultations for each policy in my heritage, culture and creativity programme is now at an advanced stage. I expect the first consultation in respect of the museums policy to launch next week. My officials are finalising practical arrangements for that. The…
As I said, we need to make sure that we have more supply, so how do we manage that? Our housing supply strategy is now in place, and the action plans will follow from that. We need to make sure, however, that the funding is in place first of all so that we can build more social homes. I have done what I can by…
Absolutely. The Member is right to raise that issue. Many factors affect those who leave their home as a result of domestic abuse. We need to make sure that we cover all bases and do what we can to provide assistance. The Housing Executive has been key in doing that work and has its strategy. I am happy to look again…
It is true, because unless we deal with the issue of demand and the lack of supply, we will never be able to tackle the issue. In the past, I have provided, and I am happy to do so again, to the House the information, research and evidence that show that it simply will not work for people. Our focus needs to be on…
I understand that the Member is passionate about the issue, and he is bringing forward what he thinks is the solution. However, as I have said repeatedly, his solutions will make things worse —.
Of course, any further work in this mandate on the sort of legislation that the Member might be talking about would not be feasible from a practical point of view. However, I do not think that those sorts of controls ultimately help to achieve what we think that they might achieve. In fact, nearly all the evidence…
I am very aware of the significant rise in private rents over recent years in Belfast and across Northern Ireland. While Northern Ireland continues to be regarded as one of the more affordable regions of the UK, the rate at which rents have risen has outpaced wage growth by around 16%, meaning that many renters are…
To explore ways in which my Department can support addressing vacancy, particularly in urban centres, I have asked my officials to conduct a review of successful vacancy initiatives that councils have taken forward to date. To inform that work, my officials have been engaging with all councils, over the past number of…
First, I thank Mr Robinson for his invitation to visit Limavady in March, when I was able to see first-hand the benefits of my Department’s recent £150,000 investment in the revitalisation scheme, which benefited 35 properties in Main Street and Irish Green Street. My officials are engaging with Causeway Coast and…
I will certainly note the Member's first comment. If anybody else has any other connections to St Patrick, I am happy to note them and put that information into the Assembly Library. On his question, we recognise that need varies across locations and client groups, and the investment required, not only in the physical…
We have the Supporting People programme in place because we recognise that the individuals concerned have additional needs. Of course, there needs to be support and help for those who are availing themselves of that sort of accommodation, and that should be right for their needs. I do not know whether the Member has a…
I am keen to ensure that supported living accommodation is available where it is needed. This is not just about increasing provision but ensuring that the right services are being provided in the right places. Given the budget constraints that we face and the significant spend by my Department annually on the…
Of course, Slemish will be coming into my constituency soon. It is important that we do not forget Slemish and its connections to St Patrick. This is something that we should do throughout the year, not just on St Patrick's Day: tell our story about who we are, what we have done, where we have come from and why this…
First, the Member will be aware that businesses cases have been carried out for the work: for the visit and the funding pots that I have put in place. It is important that that is considered. Secondly, yes, I completely understand that we are living in a difficult period and that people need support. I have brought…
The total cost of the visit, including flights, accommodation, advertising and catering at the event, along with entertainment, commemorative coins, books, pop-ups and displays, was £39,727. With regard to value, we were able to promote the Ulster-American connection in a way that we have not done before. During the…
I undertook a total of 15 engagements during my visit to the United States. They were wide-ranging, and I engaged with key partners in Savannah, Georgia, and in Washington DC across the political, cultural, business and tourism sectors. I spoke at an event in Savannah hosted by Georgia Southern University alongside my…
I am grateful to the Member for his comments and for bringing the matter to my attention in the first place. It is good news. That essential work needs to be done, and I am pleased that we now have the approval from the Department of Finance. I will make sure, through the Housing Executive, that the work proceeds as…
Further to my answer to the Member's previous question on the issue, I can advise that the Housing Executive wrote to my Department on 24 February seeking approval for an extra-statutory payment of approximately £2,500 per property for up to 88 properties, up to a total cost of £220,000. That payment would enable the…
The Member is absolutely right to highlight the challenges that many people face across Northern Ireland. That is why we are doing what we can with what we have by putting the scheme in place. I and others have been saying, however — in fact, it was raised by our party leader in Westminster six weeks ago — that there…