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.
We do not necessarily need to wait for the strategy to be in place before we move forward on some of these issues. Some are straightforward and progress can be made on them. We will do that where we can. Any legislation that follows could be a substantial piece of work, but, of course, we will keep Members updated and…
It is really important that those who helped with the co-design of the strategy are kept up to date with what is happening, and for no other reason than to be a good sounding board for what we eventually come to, so I am more than happy to take that forward and discuss it further with those interested parties. I do…
Ensuring that disabled people in Northern Ireland have the same rights and opportunities as the rest of our community is a key priority for me. I am considering the next steps in the development of an Executive disability strategy, which I intend to be taken forward at pace. The strategy will include consideration of…
It is absolutely right for this issue to be raised again, as it has been before. It is horrendous when people are facing the threat of violence or violence from those outside their home, and it is even worse when it is coming from inside their home. We should not tolerate that in any way, shape or form. The Assembly…
The Member is absolutely right to raise this issue. It is of huge concern to many people who are having to live through some horrendous examples of antisocial behaviour and whose health and mental health are being impacted on because of the behaviour of some of their neighbours. In some instances, the Housing…
The Member will be aware of the 20 proposals that were made for social housing allocations. Most of those were implemented, and one on intimidation has not been progressed. I am considering that. I have indicated that I think that there needs to be change in that area, so, once we get the report back and I get a…
Intimidation in whatever form it takes is unacceptable, as is the impact that it can have on the wider community. As I confirmed during questions on 23 April, I am aware that there is significant concern that intimidation points are being abused. I confirm that the Housing Executive undertakes a robust verification…
I am not so sure about the first part of his comment, which was about his fast bowling. I have yet to see evidence of that. On the hosting of the Euros, I am on record saying that I think that it would be fantastic if we could be part of that tournament. However, as we know, that is dependent on funding. That funding…
Yes. We need a longer-term strategy so that we can host more sporting events like that in the future. I think of the Giro in 2014 and what a great success that was for Northern Ireland. It really put the spotlight on many of our constituencies. Sometimes, we can be limited in what we are able to do because we have…
I am delighted to hear that Northern Ireland will play host to its first ever Test match when Ireland takes to the field against Zimbabwe at Stormont in July. We know how important it is and what a feather in the cap it is for Northern Ireland. Sport NI's chief executive has confirmed that, over the past five years, a…
I absolutely agree with what the Member has said. I have worked with organisations, including Christians Against Poverty, in my constituency and can see the impact that they have had. I want to ensure that we can have partnerships and work with all those who are determined to help to address the issue right across…
My officials have worked with the advice sector and engaged extensively with stakeholders to develop proposals for how we will support the delivery of integrated advice and debt services in the future through our funding. I expect the consultation on those proposals to launch in the summertime.
Obviously, I received my Department's final budget settlement only in the past number of weeks. That is still being worked through. The Member will be aware of the funding that is being made available via the UK Government for that service. I hope that that will be able to continue. I hope to be able to give clarity…
My Department invests significant annual grant funding in the region of £6·6 million to support the delivery of independent community-based advice and debt services to people in communities across Northern Ireland. In 2022, my Department moved to a minimum two-year grant funding allocation, which will soon be extended…
I am not looking at the short term or the next two or three years; I am looking at the longer term. That sum of money was committed back in 2011. Nothing extra has been added in the interim. Yes: I believe that we can and should ensure that football has what it needs, not just so that we can meet the needs of young…
We need substantially more than £36·2 million. That is why I am determined that we set out a long-term plan for football. This is a start. I want to see the £36·2 million disbursed soon, but it is not the height of our ambition. We will need more, and I look forward to working with premiership and grassroots clubs to…
I agree with the Member. The £36·2 million is not enough, but it is a start. We have been waiting for too long and for too many years to get that money out. I am determined to make sure that we get it delivered, but I accept that it is not enough. It is a start, but it is not the height of our ambitions. I will…
With Madam Deputy Speaker's permission, I will group questions 4, 6 and 15. The subregional programme is a priority for me. My officials have been working closely with clubs at all levels to build strong relationships and understand needs, and they have been developing proposals in partnership with an advisory working…
There are more in my Department because it is a bigger Department. The percentage across the Civil Service is roughly the same, and we do not deviate from that. However, I will take the opportunity to correct Mr McCrossan, if he does not mind. At a previous Question Time, he claimed that there were 4,520 temporary…
My officials remain engaged with NICS HR in order to progress recruitment competitions that will fill more posts substantively and to improve and speed up recruitment processes through the NICS people plan. Following the lifting of the pause on NICS recruitment in 2023, my Department has recently seen an increase in…
I absolutely believe that it can, and I say this to the Member: the fact that we have not had progress on the direct delivery of the recommendations does not mean that nothing is happening. We are putting together the arts, culture and heritage strategy, and I look forward to announcing that to the House soon, once I…
Yes, absolutely. I do not think that the arts should be the preserve of any one community, any one area or any one town or city. I want to support the arts right across Northern Ireland. I want to ensure that we can support the development and sustainability of the arts and encourage them to develop in areas where…
Obviously, it is not for me to encroach on the work of other Departments. However, I agree that there is a disparity in what we spend on the arts. The Member is quoting the Arts Council or equivalent bodies. We spend a little bit more than that in some of the other sectors, but I take the point that our spend here is…