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I thank the Member for her question. Many of us recognise the importance of the Mournes as a tourism attraction. I had the opportunity to attempt to mount Slieve Donard, but I did not get all the way to the top. The Mournes are a really important asset that we have. They add to the collective assets that we are really…
Following constructive engagement with Queen's University, a resolution has been reached that provides the funding needed for the university to proceed with the Momentum One Zero project. I am fully committed to the Momentum One Zero project and recognise its strategic importance to Queen's University, the Belfast…
I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she confirm that the funding that was allocated to Queen's University will allow the Momentum One Zero project to proceed?
I thank the Member for his question. The Department was allocated a £9·8 million resource departmental expenditure limit, which will enable me to provide £7 million to the higher education sector. In addition, £2·8 million resource funding has been secured for energy. Regarding capital, DFE was allocated £2·5 million,…
One of the particular areas of focus that we discussed with Minister Shanks was community ownership and community benefit models, so that local communities get buy-in and are able to drive forward their own energy agenda. That is something that the Government are keen to promote through GB Energy. From a departmental…
I thank the Member for his question. I have had the opportunity to engage with the Ministers responsible. Officials continue to engage at official level on GB Energy and the proposals that are being brought forward in that regard. As I mentioned, I was in London just under a fortnight ago. I met Minister Michael…
I thank the Member for his question. I had the opportunity to visit Belfast International Airport very recently to see the enhancements made during the redevelopment of the terminal. I also had the opportunity to discuss the airport's further plans, and I am happy to continue to engage with it in that regard. My…
I thank the Minister for that comprehensive answer. The Government sold off the family silver when they sold Belfast International Airport, leaving it in private ownership alongside the two other airports. Given that Belfast International Airport is the premier airport — the only one able to accommodate large carriers…
Attracting productivity-enhancing, regionally distributed inward investment is central to my Department's economic strategy for the North. I am committed to strengthening our position as a leading destination for global investment. The North has a proven track record of attracting high-value, innovative investment,…
I thank the Member for his question. The British Government's spending review was announced on 11 June. They have committed to the creation of a new local growth fund to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund, but they have, so far, failed to provide the detail about the fund and how it will be delivered. We do know,…
As I said, we hope to establish it very soon, and we aim to have an action plan published before the end of the year. The group's work will then continue over the next three years. Its membership is still to be finalised, but the broad groups that I mentioned — government, academia, business support organisations,…
I thank the Minister for her answer. It is good news that the process will be simplified, thus allowing small businesses to have greater flexibility. Will the Minister give me a timeline for when she hopes the group to be place? She said that the action plan will have a lifespan of up to three years. Will the Minister…
Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They make a huge economic and social contribution to local communities across the North. To better understand the challenges and opportunities that they face, I am establishing an SME entrepreneurship co-design group. The group will be made up of stakeholders from the…
I thank the Member for his question and comments. The development of policies that strengthen the voice of workers and, of course, their representatives is a core aspect of my good jobs agenda. That is reflected in the 'good jobs' employment rights Bill consultation document, in the voice and representation chapter,…
This morning, at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions biennial delegate conference in Belfast, I, along with hundreds of trade unionists and visitors, listened to your presentation on the 'good jobs' Bill. It was extremely well received. Your support for employee ownership, as stated, is also very welcome. Can you…
The benefits of employee ownership are well documented and strongly align with my economic plans. Employee-owned businesses pay, on average, a higher wage. They are more likely to remain in the same location and invest in their local economy. They can be up to 12% more productive because of increased employee…
I thank the Member for his question. He is quite right: I am well on record on that issue. Previously, the North/South interconnector received planning consent from his party colleague. We are obligated to deliver on that. I see it as crucial infrastructure for our energy systems across the island and our ability to…
Critical to reducing bills will be delivery of the North/South interconnector. Given the failure to deliver on other critical cross-border infrastructure — the A5 — and your previous, at best, mixed words on the interconnector, are you committed to delivery of the North/South interconnector? Will that project be…
I thank the Member for that question. He is quite right: the consultation has closed. Officials are working through the responses, and advice in respect of the socialisation policy and the way forward will be with me shortly . As the previous Economy Minister set out, the preferred option was for the socialisation of…
Thank you for your answer, Minister. There was a consultation on the socialisation of NIE connection costs that, I think, has now closed. Can you provide an update on where that sits? Broadly, what are your plans on that?
Financial support is not currently available for homeowners who wish to install solar panels. However, options for microgeneration support, including domestic renewable generation such as solar panels, will continue to be evaluated as part of our net zero ambitions. The Windsor framework enables extension to the North…
I thank the Member for his question. As I mentioned to Diane in my opening answer, the £45 million of funding for local economic partnerships is over the three-year period. Having engaged with councils, we anticipate that the bulk of that will come in years 2 and 3. We have given councils the space to set up their…
Was £8 million of the regional balance fund returned and reprofiled for future years? Is the Minister concerned that that delay, or any delay, in spending could limit the impact or ambition of projects that are intended to tackle regional imbalance in the short term, particularly in areas like the north-west?