Debate contribution: Nexus NI

Debate contribution by Mr Robin Swann on 4 March 2024.

MLA: Mr Robin Swann
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 4 March 2024
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Question for Urgent Oral Answer
Heading: Nexus NI
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4254624

Text

I thank the Member for that point, because that is crucial in regard to my announcement about extending the contract for a year. I want to see improved services and delivery, and my officials have been engaging with Nexus over the past few months to make sure that we close the gap between what we expect — what we are paying for — and what is being delivered. I have asked my officials to engage with Nexus to make sure that there is a regular monitoring update on how that new contract is being taken forward. Unfortunately, this may be the first time that Nexus has been made aware of this, because I wanted to give the House the opportunity to hear that through my answer to the question for urgent oral answer.
This specific contract to provide that support is held with SPPG and my Department, and that is why I felt that it was within my gift to extend it for a year. That is the direction and the advice that I have been given by my officials. If the Member knows different, I will follow up with her later.
The waiting list for the Nexus provision has been discussed extensively between departmental officials and Nexus to make sure that everyone who is on that list receives the due and timely support as provided for in the contract. That is what we want to do, working in partnership with Nexus, during the extension of the next 12 months, while a further scoping piece of work takes place to see what the service looks like at the end of that time and at who provides it.
The Member makes a valid point. Again, having discussed the situation with officials this morning, it is clear to me that further work is required on mapping out future sustainable arrangements so that we can make sure that that support and guidance are there on what is needed. That one-year extension will allow proper consideration of and a decision on the implementation of the best way forward for counselling services of that nature.

350 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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