Analysis in progress: 97,637 of 97,960 records assessed (99.7%). Totals and rankings will change until it finishes. Progress details
All of Mr John O'Dowd’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
1,596 records match, page 14 of 64.
I have written today to the Communities Minister, asking him to bring forward a scheme to support those on the lowest incomes at this stage. Given that, if the money is divided up, it is about £35 million across the half a million properties that currently use oil-fired central heating in this jurisdiction, the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs
You are a spokesperson for the NIO. In this instance, you should be part of a united front in the Executive and the Assembly to the British Government, so that the British Government are made to face up to their responsibilities. We have secured £17 million today, but our work is not finished.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs
I listened to the Member on, I think, 'The View' on Thursday night, when he was challenged about saying that Sinn Féin always blames the British Government. The presenter said to him, "Well, the British Government have a responsibility", and he said, "Yes, they do". Just accept that they do. You do not need to be a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs
Yes, it was. That was your strategy. That strategy was rejected by me, the First Minister and the Economy Minister. We went straight to the British Government and engaged with them. They have come forward with a fund today that is completely inadequate. I have asked the Communities Minister to come forward with a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs
If the Member were to listen to what I say, instead of hearing what, he thinks, I said, the world would be a better place. At no stage have I said that energy or economic activity are not the responsibility of the Executive. I said that the local growth fund is the responsibility of the British Government, which it…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Home Heating Oil Costs
As I have said to the Member before, I expect all Ministers to deliver public services efficiently and effectively.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Treasury Open-book Review: Special Educational Needs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Treasury Open-book Review: Special Educational Needs
To strengthen our case for fairer funding for public services, the Executive will work with the Treasury to review the Executive’s spending and pressures. The open-book exercise will support a fuller understanding of the significant challenges that we face. Each Department will have a crucial role to play. This…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Treasury Open-book Review: Special Educational Needs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Treasury Open-book Review: Special Educational Needs
Apologies, Deputy Speaker.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Treasury Open-book Review: Special Educational Needs Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Treasury Open-book Review: Special Educational Needs
It is worth reminding ourselves that affected childminders will still be able to claim tax relief on business expenses to levels over the 10% where applicable. However, there is concern in the sector. I recognise that, hence my officials have engaged with HMRC on this, the Department is monitoring it at strategic…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare
The lead for childcare in the Executive is the Department of Education, hence we have engaged with that Department on this matter. As the Member will have noted, it has been raised at the highest level of HMRC. I have a meeting with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (CST) on Thursday — that is an opportunity for a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare
We are, aren't we? The removal of the 10% wear-and-tear allowance for childcare providers was first raised with me in January in correspondence that related specifically to the removal of that allowance for childminders with incomes of over £50,000 from April of this year. While affected childminders will still be…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare
Question 11?
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Childcare
A Department that fails to balance its books for whatever reason causes an overspend on behalf of the Executive. Under the Treasury's rules, the overspend is taken off the next year's expenditure. It is then a matter for the Executive to decide how that is dealt with in the following year's Budget.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review
There has been a wide-ranging engagement, and we are working at pace. We want to see the report completed later this month, in time for both a public consultation and reports from the Ministers. My report on the bilateral meetings with Ministers is complete, and it will all come together under the framework for the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review
Yes, it will. The information requested by the Treasury from my Department is wide-ranging and covers the expenditure of each Department, including that of its arm's-length bodies. However, discussing quangos is interesting. We have far too many arm's-length bodies, but, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review
To strengthen our case for fairer funding for public services, the Executive will work with the Treasury to review the Executive's spending and pressures. The open-book exercise will support a fuller understanding of the significant challenges that we face. Terms of reference have been agreed with the Treasury, and an…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Public Spending: Open-book Review
It is important that we do not simply take a broad-brush approach and say that AI is the way forward and will save money. Each project has to be considered on its merits, be thoroughly investigated and go through a business case process to ensure that it will deliver value for money for the public purse.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation
The job families framework is being finalised to provide a consistent way of defining roles across the Civil Service on the basis of the work that people do and the skills that are required rather than organisational boundaries. Defining job families strengthens workforce planning, supports clearer career pathways for…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation
A robust system is in place. We have a team dedicated to protecting our systems from data attacks. I do not go into detail on it: I never have all the detail in front of me for security reasons, because it is, literally, trying to keep ahead, day by day, of those who try to attack our systems. However, we have a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation
I am committed to transforming the way in which public services are delivered, making it easier and more convenient for citizens and businesses whilst providing a more efficient and effective customer response. While the Department of Finance does not have a remit for delivering digital transformation across…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Civil Service: Digital Transformation
It is quite apt that we are discussing this on the day after Mother's Day. The loss felt by mothers and families who have lost babies in these circumstances is in their hearts forever. In the regulations that I bring forward, I will ensure that there is no time limit from the loss of the baby to the application for…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificates Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificates
I hope that we will have a scheme opened for applications around June. Certainly, I will look at options for raising awareness of it, although awareness has certainly been raised, given the debates that we have had in the Chamber, the growing media attention and the baby loss groups, who have been Trojans on the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificates Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificates
Following Royal Assent and the enactment of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Act 25 on February 2026, my Department has been working at pace to finalise the draft baby loss certificate scheme regulations. The regulations will set out how parents can access a certificate that formally recognises their loss, which…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificates Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificates
This is the second Monday in a row on which the leader of the Opposition has asked the Executive to spend their moneys on issues that relate directly to the responsibilities of the British Government. Last week, the Member wanted the spring forecast profile to be spent on the local growth fund. The local growth fund…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29/2030 Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29/2030
That has had a significant impact on our Budget and on our ability to deliver and maintain public services and to plan for transformation. The First Minister, in her contribution, reflected on the fact that Scotland is funded at 20% above its need and Wales at in the region of 8% above its need. The £520 million…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29/2030 Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29/2030
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