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 33 of 64.
The benefits of a multi-year Budget are as follows. I would prefer it if there were more money in the Budget, I have to say, but being able to plan on a three-year basis allows a wide range of our public services to ensure that they are able to look at transformation differently, because they know their budget over…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Multi-year Budget Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Multi-year Budget
It has started to an extent. We are engaging with Departments on their sustainability plans and five-year plans etc. However, it will intensify as we move forward, because I want to see a multi-year Budget presented to the Executive around December, to have an agreed Budget at that stage and then to go out to…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Multi-year Budget Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Multi-year Budget
It is. I have said that perhaps we can expedite the timescales on some aspects, but I believe that it is the best way forward.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Strategic Review of Rating Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Strategic Review of Rating
We are consulting on a number of areas — one second, please. We have completed our consultation on the cap and early payment. That report is on my desk, and I am studying it to see the way forward on that. We are out to consultation on a number of items to do with how we support businesses and on how we raise rates…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Strategic Review of Rating Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Strategic Review of Rating
The cheek of me to ask the Opposition what their ideas are. It is really rude of me to do so, it really is. I am sure that the Speaker will challenge me over that at a later stage. The Executive fund NI Water to the tune of half a billion pounds every year, so a significant amount of funding goes to it already. I…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Water: Fiscal Council Report Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Water: Fiscal Council Report
For the record, I have not dismissed the Fiscal Council's report. It has to be noted that the Fiscal Council report makes no recommendations. It has views on a number of areas that I would expect such an independent body to examine fully. Of course, it was going to examine whether water charges should be paid directly…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Water: Fiscal Council Report Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Northern Ireland Water: Fiscal Council Report
The Member will be aware that FTC takes on a number of guises, and its use is flexible. The issue of repayment is open to discussion, debate and engagement among the various partners. The use of the National Wealth Fund is, again, open to engagement and discussion. It may prove beneficial to the completion of the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park
As the Member knows, I have engaged with the NIO and the Treasury on the matter and, with others, secured the additional £50 million that is now on the table to move the project forward. The best way forward now is for all the partners to get around the table and discuss the matter. I have heard all sorts of…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park
The Minister for Communities has made two bids for the stadia. I understand that one bid was for around £5 million in 2024-25 and the other was for around £2 million in 2025-26, and both bids have been met in full. I am committed to supporting all sporting organisations. I do not care who plays the sport or the shape…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park
I am mindful that my role is to protect the public purse. In doing so, it would not be wise for me to negotiate in public or on the airwaves. The best way forward is for all interested parties to get around the table and set out clearly what they are prepared to do to deliver the project. Since last Wednesday's…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park
I have been engaging with the Treasury and the Secretary of State about the redevelopment of Casement Park. I welcome the funding from the British Government. It should give momentum to that important project, which is good news not just for Belfast but for the wider region. Casement Park is an Executive commitment of…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Casement Park Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Casement Park
On the basis that we have not yet been able to reach agreement with the Treasury on the matter, I am confident. It is a benefit to the Executive, but the Treasury will see it as a loss to it. It has a point of view that I do not necessarily agree with, but it will come to the table saying, "If we give you that, we…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings
My understanding is that the Department for Communities forecasts that it will pay approximately £10·4 billion in welfare benefits in 2025-26. That funding is made available by the Treasury as annually managed expenditure (AME). As part of the 2025-26 Budget, given the Communities Minister's concerns about the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings
Dealing with the Treasury is a unique experience in that regard. We have, however, had some recent success, so I intend to build on that and on the working relationship that we have built up with the Treasury on these matters. It is an important area, and, if we can have some of that money coming back into the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings
There is a long-standing commitment in the Fresh Start Agreement that the Executive can bid for a share of demonstrable, Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)-verified fraud and error savings. A business case, along with other information, was previously submitted to the Treasury. Those discussions have stalled,…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Social Security Benefits: Fraud and Error Savings
I have no specific figures or lists in front of me that would suggest that there is a particular problem in one or other area. If those are available, however, I will ensure that the Member receives them. LPS has a focus on the matter. I have met LPS officials on a number of occasions, and the issue is on the agenda…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Uncollected Rates Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Uncollected Rates
I will clarify in writing the point that you raised with regard to what percentage it is of the overall rates. Anyone who persistently avoids paying their rates will end up being brought to court; that is the reality. It has to be remembered, however, that, in many instances, people not paying their rates or not…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Uncollected Rates Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Uncollected Rates
With the Speaker's permission, I will answer questions 5 and 15 together, and I request an additional minute to respond. In the 2024-25 rating year, a record-breaking £1·6 billion was collected directly from ratepayers, the largest amount ever collected in a single rating year, providing much-needed funding for our…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Uncollected Rates Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Uncollected Rates
Regulated competition, particularly in the banking system, is a good thing to ensure that the public have access to services and banks and get quality for their money and the services that they seek from a bank. I am happy to raise that when raising the issue about Fermanagh.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas
Areas make an application through LINK, and it will assess the needs of the area, including what access there has been previously, to ensure that communities have access to cash. However, as the Member who asked the previous question said, when you have large rural communities such as that in Fermanagh, which was…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas
The Member will be aware that the Executive and, indeed, the Assembly have no direct locus over banking services, but I am more than happy to make representations to LINK on that matter. I heard the news about the second call being turned down, and that is hugely disappointing. I will make representations to LINK on…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas
I visited Warrenpoint banking hub on 10 April to see at first hand how the services that it provides are supporting the local community there. At the visit, I met local banking representatives, who operate out of the Warrenpoint hub, and representatives from Cash Access UK, which oversees the hub roll-out. I pressed…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: Banking Hubs in Rural Areas
As with all arm's-length bodies and government companies, we can only provide multi-year funding when the spending review allows us to do so. The announcement on Wednesday by the Chancellor in Westminster allows the Executive to bring forward a multi-year funding package. That will allow the Infrastructure Minister to…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: ‘Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water’ Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: ‘Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water’
I have had no discussions with the Infrastructure Minister about a new funding model, but I have had discussions with the Infrastructure Minister about increased funding for NI Water and engagement with me on how the Executive can support her and her Department in bringing that forward.
Assessment details for Debate contribution: ‘Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water’ Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: ‘Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water’
The Member will appreciate that those are no longer my proposals and that the current Infrastructure Minister is making those proposals. I understand that the consultation ends towards the end of June and that, at some stage beyond that, the Infrastructure Minister will bring the relevant information to, I assume, the…
Assessment details for Debate contribution: ‘Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water’ Official Assembly record for Debate contribution: ‘Sustainability Report 2025: special focus – Water’
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