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.
It will require cross-departmental working. I am conscious of the AERA Minister's Dilapidation Bill. Through the rates process here, we can assist in regenerating our town centres. Centrally, that is the Communities Minister's role, although the AERA Minister is playing a role, and I can play a role as Finance…
One criticism that I recall hearing from the Member is that we have not progressed reviews quickly enough. He now criticises me for progressing reviews too quickly. As the Member will be aware, the fact of the matter is that to change policy and legislation, there has to be a review framework. and there has to be…
I wish to provide Members with an update on the progress made on the review of the rating system and my intended steps over the coming weeks. Less than a year ago, it was announced that my Department would undertake a systematic review of all rates supports. Substantial progress has been made to date, with four policy…
In relation to broader Executive decisions, it was the Executive who decided to put an extra £55 million into childcare, and yes, I will take credit for that. If the Executive have to make difficult decisions, I will take responsibility for those. That is the nature of the game. You cannot shirk all responsibility,…
Early last month, I said that I was confident that the issue would be resolved. The Executive collectively, working in partnership, have resolved it. I urge all Ministers, when they are looking at their budget allocations at the start of the year, to have pay at the top of the list rather than at the bottom. That is…
Last Thursday, the Executive collectively agreed to the Health Minister's direction to deliver pay parity for health service staff. Without that decision being taken, there was severe risk of industrial action. I am sure that no Member of the House would have wanted to see health workers on strike, and I know that…
I begin by thanking all Members who have contributed to the debate on this important matter. As Members will be aware, the key aims of the Bill are, first, to place the temporary processes contained in the Coronavirus Act 2020 that enable the remote registration of deaths and stillbirths and the electronic transfer of…
It is vital that we have an inclusive society. At the head of that society, Departments and government have to be accessible to all. I agree with the Member that we have to ensure that our public services are accessible in a user-friendly way.
My Department will prepare as it would for any legislation and will take on board any legislative requirements that fall to my Department as they come about.
I am pleased to say that good progress has been made in line with my intention to act at pace to make progress on positive changes to the rating system. I submitted a paper to the Executive prior to the summer recess. If that paper is agreed, we could generate about £9 million per annum for central and local…
The Back in Business scheme allows businesses to access rates support that incentivises business ratepayers to consider occupying empty retail premises when looking for a business property. The scheme provides a 50% rate reduction for up to two years, once a retail premises that has been empty for 12 months is…
Discussions are ongoing. I have also asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to write to the Prime Minister about the matter. I am conscious that there are legal proceedings — an ongoing court case — in regard to the matter, but we continue to discuss how we will deliver our commitments in regard to the…
The Justice Minister and I have had a telephone conversation in that regard. We were due to meet again yesterday. Unfortunately, that meeting had to be cancelled, but it will be rescheduled as quickly as possible. The matter has been raised on a number of occasions during Executive discussions as well. Therefore,…
Yes. That is one of the direct calls that I made to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury in person and in my recent correspondence to him ahead of the Budget on 26 November. It is important that our hospitality sector is supported, particularly given the changes to VAT across the border. They are competing in an…
Yes. That matter has been raised repeatedly at various venues and by various Ministers, including me, with representatives of the British Government. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be listening to that. It will have a significantly greater detrimental impact on our agriculture sector than on that in England or…
The next steps are that the report needs to be studied, and we need to engage with all the sectors involved in it to see whether there is further potential for shared use of properties across the entire public-sector estate. Efficient, effective use of all resources has to be primary in all discussions that Ministers…
I am aware of the proposal from the Education Minister, but we also need an estate plan from the Department of Education. The Member will have heard me refer to my Department's estate plan in relation to Civil Service buildings. It would be useful if the Department of Education were to come forward with an estate plan…
That is a procedural matter within the Department; it is not a matter for the Minister. The guide is not mandatory; it is guidance, as it says on the tin. I am not aware of what funding has been set aside for training etc in that regard, but I am more than happy to supply that information to the Member. Those matters…
I cannot confirm whether the Equality Commission was directly involved. I will have to come back to the Member directly on the matter. However, equality issues relating to the Department reflect our equality programme, which was approved by the Equality Commission.
It is best that we await the independent inquiries of the head of the Civil Service. If I were to commission an urgent review, I would be accused of political interference. It is best that we allow the head of the Civil Service to carry out her inquiries into the matter. If, as a result of those inquiries, it becomes…
All Ministers need to be extremely careful about how they use Civil Service resources, which are there primarily to support delivery front-line public services and should not be used in a party political way. I heard the Minister of Education's comments in the Chamber yesterday about his engagement with his permanent…
We all want to see public sector workers, including healthcare workers, get the pay rise that they deserve in a timely manner. I plan to hold a December monitoring round, at which time we will understand the funding available following the Chancellor's autumn Budget. That will also provide an opportunity for…