All of Mr Gordon Lyons’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
1,781 records match, page 37 of 72.
We have agreed to meet again. In fact, over the next few weeks and, hopefully, days, we will be exchanging correspondence about how we can best lobby the Government on the issue.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper
Last week, I met the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary, Jane Hutt and Paul McLennan, Minister for Housing in the Scottish Government. We discussed a number of issues of shared concern across the devolved Administrations, including the impact of the Green Paper. I will continue to engage with them to make sure that we…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper
A number of programmes are in place, including the Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong programme. I am pleased to see the success of that. It is a really important issue for me, and I see that as I go around. In fact, I was in the Member's constituency just a few months ago at a football club, and I saw at first hand the number…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Sport is Not a Luxury Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Sport is Not a Luxury
I am always reluctant to set up something just for the sake of it, if there are already other options and opportunities for us to do that. We have many programmes in place to try to encourage those for whom cost may otherwise be a barrier to get involved, but it is certainly a suggestion that I am prepared to take on…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Sport is Not a Luxury Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Sport is Not a Luxury
The ‘Sport is NOT a luxury’ research raises important concerns about the impact of financial pressures on children’s participation in sport and physical activity. It is apparent from the data that, although parents are aware of the importance of physical activity for children, increasing costs are a barrier for many.…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Sport is Not a Luxury Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Sport is Not a Luxury
Yes.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: DFC: Surplus Buildings and Land Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: DFC: Surplus Buildings and Land
Not right now, but I hope to be in a position to do so shortly. I am bringing a paper to the Executive to highlight options around how we can better use public land to make sure that we meet our social housing targets.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: DFC: Surplus Buildings and Land Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: DFC: Surplus Buildings and Land
My Department owns six sites in Antrim, five in Ballymena and 12 in Craigavon. That is land that was vested under the New Towns Act 1965 for the development of Antrim, Ballymena and Craigavon. My Department also owns a former railway track site in Coalisland, which is deemed surplus. The Housing Executive has two…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: DFC: Surplus Buildings and Land Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: DFC: Surplus Buildings and Land
I am sorry. That was not my suggestion at all. I simply laid out the figures. I am not saying in any way that funding should be removed. Those were her words — that was her suggestion — not mine. I said that bigger cities in Northern Ireland, including Belfast and Londonderry, are often the bases for arts…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Sector: Funding Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Sector: Funding
I did not.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Sector: Funding Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Sector: Funding
The Arts Council's opening allocation for 2025-26 is £10·292 million resource and £1·405 million capital, which is an increase on the 2024-25 opening allocations of £584,000 and £505,000 respectively.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Sector: Funding Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Sector: Funding
That support — resource and funding — comes from Sport NI, particularly through the Sports System Investment body, but, if there are any issues that he would like to raise with me, I would be happy to chase them up.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support
That is an incredible opportunity for us, and I have instructed officials to work to make sure that we can deliver in that area. It is always good to see the interest that is shown in Northern Ireland when competitions are held here. I have met Cricket Ireland on that matter, and officials are collaborating with…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support
I am grateful to the Member for his question. It is absolutely right that we fund all sports in Northern Ireland, especially those that are growing and those that are trying to attract more girls and women into the sport. I am delighted to hear about the progress that is being made in that area. The Member will be…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support
Sport NI has confirmed to me the support that it has provided. Through Crowdfunder schemes such as Creating Opportunities and Project Reboot, £122,500 of lottery funding has been provided to cricket clubs in the past three years, including £30,000 so far for 2025-26. Under the Sports System Investment - Governing…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Cricket: DFC Support
Accessibility is key to everything that we do in the Department. It would not make sense for us not to have such provision in place. As time goes on, I will be happy to update the Member on the progress that is made.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment
Yes, he can thank me for that. I am delighted to get the project over the line, because the people of Bangor have waited far too long for it. I know that it was of concern to Members, but we have got there: a legally binding agreement is in place. I assure the Member that I will have the same laser focus on making…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment
The Member complains about PR and headlines yet wants me to dress up for the event. On this occasion, I strongly disagree with the Member. The past few weeks have not simply been about PR or headlines. Rather, intensive work has gone on over the past few months. I committed to getting the project sorted. Mr Dunne had…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment
By the end of this month.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Queen's Parade, Bangor: Redevelopment
Yes, I have talked to many groups right across Northern Ireland. I make the case, however, that the schemes are open to everybody. No one is discriminated against based on where they live. I want to make sure that people know about the funding that is there and that they are able to access it. That is why I have taken…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance
I think that the Member saw me outside earlier today with those who benefited from the musical instruments grant last year. It was great to hear from a wide variety of organisations, including school groups and other groups with children in them about its impact. I am not able to confirm just yet the exact timing for…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance
I certainly recognise and understand the value of the arts. That is why I have done so much to promote the arts in Northern Ireland, including increasing their budget this year again. I have also provided capital funding for a musical instruments programme and a capital small grants programme, both of which go right…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance
The Arts Council is an arm's-length body of my Department that is tasked with the distribution of funding for the arts in Northern Ireland. It does not fund using place-based criteria. Belfast is the registered address of many organisations that, in practice, provide funding well beyond the Belfast postcode area, so I…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Arts Funding: Regional Balance
They have a considerable role to play. I will issue guidance and advice, but, ultimately, it will be up to them to decide. However, they will need to consider whether they are in compliance with the law and the implications of not doing so.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Female Sport: Participation Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Female Sport: Participation
Of course, all bodies need to comply with the law. It is normally a condition of funding being in place. That will certainly be taken into consideration.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Female Sport: Participation Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Female Sport: Participation
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