All of Ms Michelle O'Neill’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I am not going down that route. Our strategy, which you asked me a question about, is very much about ending violence against all women in society. It is not focused on perpetrators; it is focused on ending violence against women, who are always at the receiving end of such violence. I am not taking you up on going…
The Programme for Government 2024-27 acknowledges that we must work together across government and society to end the epidemic of violence, abuse and harm against women and girls. Our long-term focus is on early intervention and prevention. We have already made significant progress on the steps that we committed to…
As I said, the deputy First Minister and I have met some of the groups because we want them to know that they are being heard in our office and that, as we advance the memorialisation, we do so in a way that will be received well by them and will make a difference to them and their experience. We will ensure that…
I assure you that we will do everything that we can to make sure that their views are taken on board. Those people have been failed at every turn over the years. It is important that we get this right. We are committed. The deputy First Minister and I have met some of the groups and individuals and want to continue to…
The establishment of a memorial is the final outstanding recommendation of the Hart inquiry report, and we remain committed to its implementation. Following our engagement with the four main victims and survivors’ groups, we are pleased to confirm that there is support for fulfilling that recommendation through having…
As I said in my initial answer, we are at the stage of being able to move to interview. We are very close. We are very much at the end of the process. I look forward to getting the appointment over the line and announcing it in the coming weeks.
Go raibh maith agat. Yes, the fact that that post is out for appointment is a significant milestone. I think that that is very much appreciated by Gaeilgeoirí. The influence of the Irish language can be seen in every corner of life. Yesterday — St Patrick's Day — was a good example of that, with celebration across…
We have an opportunity. As I said, we are at the end stage of the appointments process. The deputy First Minister and I will be interviewing in the coming weeks to allow us to make a successful appointment, after which we can let that person get on with doing what they believe is right for the needs of our victims and…
We are pleased to advise that the deputy First Minister and I will shortly meet the candidates who have been deemed suitable for appointment by the selection panel. The appointment of a new commissioner is essential in order to inform the development of policies and to help ensure that the longer-term needs of victims…
I can confirm my commitment to appointing a new VSS chair and board members as quickly as possible. Interviews for the posts concluded on 11 March 2024. We received an unranked list of successful candidates at the end of March, as per the Commissioner for Public Appointments (CPANI) code of practice. In June, we…
Funding is distributed through an open call that the VSS manages directly. All the groups have delivery plans, which are renewed annually and align with their budget allocation. The plans are then agreed with the VSS, and delivery is monitored by it quarterly. There is therefore a fair degree of oversight of how the…
As part of our commitment to supporting victims and survivors, we have ensured that the funding for the Victims and Survivors Service has been consistently protected from cuts. We continue to keep the level of funding under review. In this financial year, we have provided over £21 million to the VSS to ensure…
Yes, I certainly do. It is about our effort to work together and to share in an ambitious programme for the Executive. The PFG has been designed to make things better; to improve people's lives and their lot; to do better in areas such as health, by tackling waiting lists, the environment and childcare; to grow a…
When you reflect on the report, you see that there have been some improvements, but there are some areas on which we need to keep a very close eye. The Programme for Government measurements are well-being indicators that will be used to chart our advances and progress across all those areas. The fact that those will…
We welcomed the publication of the report on 6 March. It provides important data on areas that are key to the well-being of our population, such as loneliness, levels of happiness and anxiety and whether people think that the things that they do are worthwhile. Overall, higher life satisfaction and worthwhile scores…
Yes. The challenges are being acutely felt across the public sector, which was already feeling challenged and was struggling because of 14 years of austerity. Put simply, when you are trying to deal with all those years of underfunding, lumping that additional cost on top of all that will be catastrophic for many…
Yes, I do. I have just referred to it. I welcome the Member to the Chamber, given that she has newly joined us. She is welcome, and I look forward to engaging with her. Yes, the hike in National Insurance contributions is and will be deeply concerning for many of our small businesses. All of us will have been…
Of course, nobody wants that, particularly not in those sensitive areas, but let us not make policy on the hoof. Let us be considered about how we do things. In order to bring forward such policies, you need to ensure that there is proper documentation and lists and that you are able to refer to records. Let us not…
I am sure that, when funding is handed out by the TEO or any other Department, all due diligence is applied to any funding or grant application that is received by a Department.
No. I am really incredulous. At a time when public services are being cut left, right and centre; when we have endured 14 years of austerity; when winter fuel payments to older people are being cut; when lots of small local businesses will go to the wall, because they cannot afford the hike in National Insurance; and…
First, he focus of the international community should always be on working towards negotiation and peace settlements. That is my approach to such things. It is only through lasting peace and genuine and constructive engagement that you arrive at a peace solution. Our example here tells us that. The support of the…
Yes, I absolutely do. The deputy First Minister and I had the pleasure of being on site last week to see the plans for ourselves and to meet some of the staff. There is no doubt that it will be a real game changer in the care of our sick children, and it will bring a much improved experience at a difficult time for…
The announcement of a £671 million investment in a new state-of-the-art children's hospital is fantastic news for children and families across our society. It will provide children in need of care with the best facilities and the latest technology, offering them world-class healthcare here at home. It is obviously an…
Yes. We have demonstrated what we can do in the first 16 or 17 months. We have prioritised it; we have put money towards it; and we have made advances in it. However, we must not be complacent: we know that there is still a lot more to be done on that front. For our part, I can say to the Member that, yes, childcare…
That is one of the issues that is very much highlighted in our Programme for Government, which is being discussed today. Cutting childcare costs and keeping money in the pockets of struggling families has been a day-1 priority for our Executive. Recently, I was pleased that we were able to double the funds: we have…