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We were already operating in a difficult environment. Although we were not aware of some of the specific changes that were coming, the strategy has been drafted in such a way that means that we are dealing with the root causes of poverty and are not just looking at the benefit and welfare system, as important as that…
I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, given the Labour Party's recent policy direction, have you had to make any changes to the anti-poverty strategy?
The anti-poverty strategy will certainly deal with that. As I said, we will also bring forward a disability strategy and disability work strategy. I believe that there is a joined-up approach from the Executive on that matter, and I hope that it continues.
It is important that the strategy be flexible. Although different action plans will come out of it and can be refreshed, first and foremost, the strategy provides a framework for the way forward. It is right that we have that, but we need to be agile and make sure that we actually put measures in place that will make…
Thanks to the Minister. Given the latest looming cuts that are coming from Westminster, is he confident that the strategy will be able to react and be adequately resourced to protect people here?
I can confirm that I will send the draft anti-poverty strategy to Executive colleagues today. I hope to see its impact as soon as possible, but, ultimately, that will depend on its getting Executive approval.
Absolutely. You have to show up and be in the room. I took some criticism for going there in October, but the fact that I was able to go at that time, make those initial connections and build on them over the past six months led to what we now have in place. That is important. It will produce dividends for Northern…
Minister, when you were in Washington, did you recognise how important it is to create face-to-face relationships and build trust in order to eventually exploit more business opportunities?
The memorandum of understanding is going to be important because it will set the framework for how the story of this place is told. I am pleased that there was a genuinely open door from the America250 commission, which was excited about the stories that we had to tell, and the possibilities that that created for…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Indeed, he had a busy few days in Washington DC. I thank him for his personal interest in promoting our international connections with North America. What benefits can the memorandum of understanding bring to Northern Ireland?
I had a busy programme, planned to enhance existing relationships and to establish long-term collaborations with a key partner for Northern Ireland. I was able to promote Northern Ireland at the very highest levels through a series of important engagements. The semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of…
Absolutely. Most people in the States and elsewhere will be aware of the Famine and post-Famine emigration to the US, and the impact that some of those emigrants had, especially in New England and the north-east. If you were to go back 100 years previously, however, it was people from Ulster who really made the…
I echo the comments and the congratulations to the Minister on his engagement with the US Administration on the huge historical and cultural links between Northern Ireland and the United States. Will the Minister agree that, quite often, the Scots-Irish/Ulster-Scots connection has been lost or distorted in that…
Yes, absolutely. I encourage all our councils to get involved. I think that a number of them are doing that. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council obviously has links to Chester Arthur and Andrew Jackson. Clearly, the links that we have in Fermanagh and Omagh are told at the Ulster American Folk Park, about which I was…
When I was a Belfast city councillor, we were very proud of our links to our sister city, Nashville, Tennessee, which also happens to be the home of Andrew Jackson, to whom the Minister's constituency has strong links. Will the Minister therefore encourage our councils to get involved in that special celebration?
Absolutely; those presidents were Chester Arthur and William McKinley. I am keen to support celebrations that help to promote those links that exist between what is now Northern Ireland and the United States. I am keen to see those celebrations take place, because we should be very proud of the connections that we…
First, I congratulate the Minister on his recent trip to the US to promote Northern Ireland. Minister, I think of villages such as Dervock and Cullybackey in my constituency that have proud links to previous American presidents, as well as Coagh in Mid Ulster, which has proud links to Vice President Vance. What type…
The Department provides funding on an annual basis to all local councils for community festivals through the community festivals fund. Community groups that wish to mark the occasion may be eligible to apply for support through their local council. I am continuing to explore other opportunities through my Department…
Absolutely. I am more than happy to put on record my thanks to the Member for his many decades of service to football in Northern Ireland. I am aware of the importance of grassroots football, especially for young people, and the extent of it right across Northern Ireland. I am very keen to make sure that we move…
I thank the Minister for his answer. As somebody who is heavily involved in youth, junior, intermediate and senior football right across my constituency and the neighbouring constituency of North Antrim, I ask the Minister when the call for applications from grassroots football will be opened. Does he share my belief…
The Irish FA is developing capital funding to modernise grassroots facilities on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) through the IFA DCMS grassroots facilities investment fund 2023-25. I welcome the recent announcement of a UK-wide £100 million funding package to upgrade grassroots…
I am sorry. I was trying to find the translation of that, so I do not think that I heard all of it. If there was an invite, I would be more than happy to take up that invitation and use it as an opportunity to highlight Belfast and Northern Ireland on the world stage.
Le déanaí, labhair ceannaire an pháirtí, Claire Hanna, as Gaeilge in Westminster, í ag cur fáilte roimh Fhleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Chuir sí cuireadh ar an Phríomh-Aire, atá ag dúil le freastal ar an fhleadh. Will the Minister attend?
Yes, absolutely; in fact, the marching band tradition in Northern Ireland was mentioned, and its richness and significance was highlighted. Belfast attained UNESCO City of Music status in November 2021. That was because of the wide range of music and cultural traditions that we have. The marching bands are an…
The Minister has more or less covered my question. I take it that the Minister will agree that the fleadh should have representation from the wide range of culture and music that exists across Northern Ireland.