Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
The Education Authority (EA) submitted a business case to my Department on 4 April 2025 to facilitate the establishment of Causeway Academy. My Department has never had such a significant capital requirement presented to it arising from an approved development proposal (DP), and it has never committed to such…
Thank you. The Executive have agreed the refugee integration strategy. Very shortly, it will be published. I assure the Member that concerns have been shared. I have particular concerns about the lack of transparency on the data and information coming from the Home Office and the organisations. That needs to change.…
Thank you, deputy First Minister. Given that the costs are four times higher than originally envisaged and that the accommodation is broadly unfit for purpose, what update do you have for us today on when the refugee integration strategy will be published?
I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that the Prime Minister made a statement this morning on a number of actions on immigration, refugee and asylum issues. It is not a devolved issue, but the Member will be aware that the Executive Office liaises with the Home Office on its distribution of funds and…
Absolutely. Far too many people — thousands of people — in this place have never had justice for the injury or death of a loved one: that is an absolute tragedy. Those are the people who have suffered most from the Troubles, and it is those people who we need to help and support. My party and I have always been clear…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. She will know that it is not just about capital for innocent victim groups like SEFF. SEFF does a vast amount of work in supporting innocent victims and helping them through the justice process, which can be arduous and difficult, particularly for innocent victims.…
I thank the Member for her important question. I am fully supportive of the project. It is a fantastic project that brings together statutory services — in the health centre — the school and, importantly, the community sector. It really will breathe new life into that site in a genuinely shared way. It is a fantastic…
Absolutely. We are keen on that. It is important to remember that this is a scheme that comes from the Northern Ireland block grant, and our block grant exists primarily to benefit the people of Northern Ireland. However, we recognise that many, many hundreds, if not thousands, on the mainland were impacted on,…
I thank the deputy First Minister for that answer. You highlighted a number there, Minister. In response to a recent question, we heard that, between 1 February 2024 and 1 February this year, the scheme received 178 applications from people from England, Scotland and Wales, with 3,900 applications from those in…
I am pleased to say that efforts have been made to promote that, including by using online social media messaging or by targeting newspapers in other places where people from here or those who may have been impacted on by the Troubles are likely to be. In Northern Ireland, in February 2024, a leaflet was put through…
We are at an advanced stage with the international relations strategy. The Member will appreciate that a number of global events have taken place, not least the change of president in the United States. That brought a very different direction in the global environment, particularly in relation to foreign direct…
Thank you, deputy First Minister. When will an international relations strategy be published that takes into account the specific needs of the film industry as a source not just of economic growth but of cultural output?
The film industry in Northern Ireland is genuinely fantastic. The First Minister and I have had the opportunity to promote the industry on many occasions and it is a key part of our offering. We have invested heavily in that, including through the city region deals, and, of course, Studio Ulster will open in mid-June…
They have nine key priorities. We have already seen the announcements on our actions for tackling waiting lists. That could only be done because the Executive have prioritised and ring-fenced funding for that purpose. The Executive Office has a priority to end violence against women and girls. We have produced not…
It is an absolute nonsense to say that there has not been delivery and commitment to driving things through. Quite frankly, the young people of Northern Ireland are sick of negativity and of people trying to put a spin on things because they want something to oppose.
Deputy First Minister, people here, particularly young people, want more than endless rows over signs and statues. Do you think that you and the First Minister, given all the money that you have spent on travel, are providing value for money for the Northern Ireland public?
Deputy First Minister, I appreciate that you have secured agreement to a Programme for Government and a Budget. Those are the bare minimum that any Government should do. Most people who watch politics here have seen your party, probably with the acquiescence of your main partner in government, Sinn Féin, delivering…
Thank you — actually, I am not sure whether to thank the Member for that question but I will answer it nonetheless. We are hugely busy with trying to drive forward an ambitious programme for change across the Executive. In the 14 or 15 months that we have been in post, we have secured unanimous agreement in the…
I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. The Open has previously given Northern Ireland a significant economic boost. How can we ensure that we build on that and maximise the economic benefits from the Open this year? I thank Members for their praise of events on the north coast — the Open, the North West…
I thank the Member for his question. We promoted the Open during a visit to North Carolina as an example of Northern Ireland's attractiveness as a location for golf, major events, investment and tourism. I further highlighted the Open during my visit to Washington DC. Hosting the Open featured in speeches at the…