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.
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the number of overpayments made through (a) Universal Credit; and (b) Employment and Support Allowance in each of the last five years; (ii) the number of overpayments waived in each of the last five years; and (iii) the number of cases in which a waiver was granted but…
To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to AQW 10213/22-27, to detail the current average gap between rent and the Local Housing Allowance for households in the private rented sector, broken down by constituency.
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of staff in his Department that have been employed on a temporary contract for over three years.
To ask the Minister for Communities to confirm that the Gambling Code of Practice, when published, will stipulate that no person should be permitted to withdraw cash from a financial institution, by ATM or any other method, within a premises for which bingo and gaming for prizes is authorised by a bingo club licence…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. On behalf of the Committee, I thank all Members for their contributions and thank the Minister for his response to the debate. I look forward to engagement with the Minister and the Department on taking the issue forward and on how we might empower and support our community and voluntary…
If the Minister had been listening to the debate, he would have heard me and others say that, in the first instance, the scheme should be doubled to what it was — £3·6 million — and then a review could determine what a suitable amount would be. In answer to his question, a number of Members said £3·6 million…
If the Minister will take a point, I do not know the figure — I will say that — but I know that the community and voluntary sector provides not just services that are commissioned by the trusts but services that the trusts should operate but do not because they do not have the ability to do so. It is rather unfair to…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. From the get-go, let us consider the irony klaxon to have been sounded. It is exhausted. As Mr Robinson pointed out, we were here relatively recently. The amended motion that was passed that day is interesting. It reads: "That this Assembly commends the work of the community and voluntary…
To be honest, most of the points have already been made by Members. I know that the Minister will not be surprised by what the Committee has expressed here today, because, at Committee level, we have raised our concerns and written to him. As Alan said, we have debated the same issues in previous debates. I know that…
I am not a member of the Health Committee, but I am passionate about some of the groups that have lost funding, and I am more than aware of the amazing work that they do. Recently, I, along with my colleague behind me, Diane Dodds, facilitated a meeting with a number of groups that have lost funding. At that meeting,…
As other Members have done, I express our disappointment that only 25 out of 259 community and voluntary sector organisations were successful in their application for the redesigned core grant scheme. Over 90% of applicants — organisations that provide wonderful support to some of the most vulnerable people in the…
I welcome the opportunity to speak to this important motion on behalf of the SDLP. It is an issue that has been discussed at length at the Health Committee. The number and scale of groups that have contacted us about their concerns, and the very real impact that such a loss of funding will have on their ability to…
At the outset, I pay tribute to the breadth of organisations in the community and voluntary sector that are involved in the day-to-day delivery of impactive and invaluable support right across Northern Ireland. At a time when we are facing so many profound challenges, particularly in the health and social care field,…
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the Committee motion. At the start, I highlight, not just to the Health Minister but to the public and those who received the core grant this year, the fact that the motion is specifically not aimed at those who got the funding. It is important to highlight that, and I…
I thank the Minister for coming to the House today for this important motion. I have no doubt, Minister, that, during our discourse, we will hear you talk about pressures on your budget. There may be an odd irony klaxon thrown in for good measure , although I do not want to steal your thunder. However, budgets are…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. As outlined on the Department of Health's website, the core grant scheme is in place to support community and voluntary sector organisations and charities to cover their fixed costs, such as 25% of a permanent staff member's annual salary; training costs; rent; rates;…
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was watching the debate in my office. Is it right and proper for the Minister to sit in the Chamber, not contribute to a debate related to his Department and then wait until the Chairperson of the Education Committee does not have a chance to respond to a point that he raises? That is very…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During the debate, the Chairman of the Committee indicated that it will be the responsibility of DUP members to outline at the Committee meeting how they will deliver on this. Mr Speaker, can you confirm that it is the responsibility of the Committee, particularly the Chairman of the…
Thank you for the intervention. It is reasonable for you to say that. You are correct that there did not seem to be an appetite for that, so today's outcome is peculiar to say the least. You were, however, consistent and raised objections. Others did not, but have since changed their mind for some reason. They can…