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 29 of 64.
Yes, I have, and I will continue to do so. The Member gives the example of a good scheme that is working well with people who need support in employment or in getting back into employment. That scheme is about bringing people back into the workplace, which is right and proper and beneficial not only to the individual…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund
At this stage, it does not appear that there will be. It appears to be the view of Whitehall that the social protection fund is coming to an end; that this is a completely new scheme; that everybody should be aware of that; and that they have made their position clear. I disagree completely. It has been handled in a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund
I had a positive meeting with leaders of the sector hosted by CO3 on 17 September, in which I provided an update to 41 representatives of the sector and listened to their many concerns. I hope to meet representatives of the sector tomorrow for further engagement on the matter. Engagement between the community and…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 7 and 13 together. I may need some extra time, if that is possible. I have serious concerns about the approach that the British Government are taking to local growth funding here. My officials have been advised that the £46 million announced in the spending…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund
There are pressures across all our Departments. The growing demand for public services is significant. It is there for all to see. Matching that demand to a constrained comprehensive spending review over the three-year period for resource and the four-year period for capital is a challenge for all Departments and a…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update
I thank the Member for her question. We await the Chancellor's Budget, which is scheduled for late November. It is probably wise for us to await the outcome of that Budget before I lay a final draft of my multi-year Budget before the Executive. My priorities for the Budget are transformation so that we can ensure that…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update
The Member will appreciate that the investment strategy does not necessarily fall within my Department's remit, although I do accept that it is the collective responsibility of the Executive. I hope that the strategy will be published as soon as possible, but my current focus is on delivering a multi-year Budget.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update
Work is under way on the development of the Executive's multi-year Budget. My officials are currently collating and considering departmental returns. It will be the Executive's first multi-year Budget in over a decade. It will provide funding certainty, enabling Departments to plan on a longer-term basis, and create…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Budget 2026-29: Update
In the 2024-25 financial year, Land and Property Services collected £1·63 billion in rates. That was the largest amount of rates ever collected in a single rating year. That money provides funding for essential public services etc. I commend the rates agency for its endeavours to collect that funding, which is used in…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update
Well, the target is 100%, but, given the scale of collection and the amounts involved, that would not be achievable in any organisation. I will just see whether I have the target figure for rates collection. I just cannot spot the exact figure in front of me, but it is extremely high. As I said to the previous…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update
I do not have the exact figures in front of me, but I understand that we are improving year-on-year in those matters. Over the past number of years, there has been specific focus in the rates collection agency on ensuring that we collect the maximum amount of rates possible and that, where we need to, we challenge…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update
On 31 August 2025, the unpaid rates carried forward from previous years had reduced to £145·4 million, a 20% reduction from the position at 31 March 2025. Of the amount remaining, £59 million is moving through legal recovery channels,; £73·6 million is being examined for potential legal action within the current…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Rates Recovery: Update
Part of the consultation was on how we use the data that is collected. I am sure that the Member will agree that we need to understand the sensitivity in using terms such as "data" and "collection of information" when talking about families' personal stories. We have consulted on how we use that and how it would be…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme: Consultation Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme: Consultation Update
I hope that the scheme will be operational within this financial year. It is important that we move forward as quickly as possible to respond to the demand for the scheme and recognise that many people came forward to respond to the consultation. I am sure that that was not easy for those who had experienced baby…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme: Consultation Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme: Consultation Update
The public consultation on the baby loss certificate scheme closed on 12 September. I am extremely grateful that over 1,100 people and organisations took the time to respond to it. Every response received provided us with valuable insight and clarity to help us to develop a scheme that meets the needs of those who…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme: Consultation Update Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Baby Loss Certificate Scheme: Consultation Update
It was developed to provide the public and others — I encourage MLAs and others to visit it — with easily accessible information, including a breakdown of how and where we use public expenditure. It is only right and proper that the public have as much information as possible about where their taxes go, and the web…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Financial Information Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Financial Information
Good financial information is critical to informing public debate. It can support and guide the difficult decisions needed to manage a constrained Budget and, ultimately, to help shape a more sustainable future for all. The Executive's Budget sustainability plan committed us to the development of a future work plan in…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Financial Information Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Financial Information
I am of the view that the money is from the British Government. It is up to the British Government to account for it. The Executive will make their own contribution to Casement Park. The Secretary of State's announcement and, in fairness, the work that he has done — that part of the equation — were on British…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital
It is a very welcome investment. It provides another piece of the jigsaw of getting Casement Park up and going. The investment from the British Government, the Irish Government, the Executive and the GAA is now bringing the project forward. It is now time to move forward with a definitive plan, and, as I said to the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital
I will deal with those questions in reverse order. I am on record saying that I support investment in sport regardless of the size and shape of the ball or who does or does not play it. I will work with whomever to ensure that we get investment in sports and other areas in this place. However, I remind Members that…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital
The £50 million of financial transactions capital to support the redevelopment of Casement Park has been provided to the Executive for the period from 2026-27 to 2029-2030 subject to sufficient finance being raised elsewhere to deliver the project. That £50 million was over and above what the Executive's allocation of…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park: Financial Transactions Capital
The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 That the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 be approved.
Assessment details for Motion or amendment: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025 Official Assembly record for Motion or amendment: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Registration of Deaths and Still-Births) (Extension) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025
The Back in Business scheme aims to help bring vibrancy, footfall and investment back to our high streets while providing businesses with a boost at the start of their business journey, thus helping support jobs and bring long-term vacant units back into use. The scheme offers businesses a 50% rates discount for up to…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Back in Business Scheme Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Back in Business Scheme
You are not asking the question out of concern about Israeli war bonds; you are trying to score cheap political points. I appeal to you — I appeal to you and to others to set aside your petty party political point-scoring and stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. When people stand in solidarity movements,…
Decided on a second assessment.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Israeli War Bonds Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Israeli War Bonds
You know the answer. You know the answer, because —.
Not analysed
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Israeli War Bonds Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Israeli War Bonds
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