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.
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. First, I thank Mr McReynolds for securing the debate, which has been helpful in highlighting the importance of waste water infrastructure to our society. It strikes me that we do not always realise, until there is an issue, how critical it is, and that is across the board,…
I thank the Member for giving way. He raised the issue of Lough Neagh, and I thought that that might be a way in because he talked about agriculture. It is important to point out that there are 76 waste water treatment works around the edge of Lough Neagh. They are important, because we have to ensure that overspills…
I welcome the opportunity to talk about waste water infrastructure specifically in East Belfast, and I will do so. People might predict talk about waste water infrastructure in the city more widely and, indeed, in Northern Ireland more widely, but there is a particular issue in East Belfast. Members have talked about…
I agree with what both Members who have spoken have said. While increasing the focus on the matter, the Member, whom I thank for bringing this important topic to the House, will know that the issue is not new for us. Indeed, one of my earliest memories of my few years on Belfast City Council was when I was on the city…
I am grateful to the Member for securing the Adjournment debate on this important topic. This evening's debate will provide a valuable opportunity for us, as local reps, to discuss the matter constructively and to air our concerns with a view to seeing improvement in our part of the city. I also congratulate the…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am delighted to have secured today's debate on an issue that affects my constituents in East Belfast specifically but that also affects residents across Belfast and, indeed, Northern Ireland as a whole. As I look around the Chamber, I welcome the attendance of East Belfast and other…
Minister, in England, UC work coaches can cross-reference with Companies House in order to verify claims that are made by those who are self-employed or are business owners. Why was the reference to Companies House removed from the NI staff guidance in the past 12 months and, more importantly, under whose instruction?…
I thank the Minister. It has been acknowledged that errors happen. There was a 17% rise in official error overpayments. Is the Department considering policy changes in order to ensure that claimants are not unfairly burdened with repayments?
I thank the Minister for his determination to provide fairness, not only for working families and taxpayers but for the sustainability of the welfare system for those who really need it. Will the task and finish group consider retaining information on fraud prosecutions for a longer period?
While you emphasise upstream prevention, Minister, can you explain how you will ensure that these enhanced verification measures will not create additional barriers for vulnerable claimants who are genuinely entitled to support, particularly those with mental health issues and learning disabilities?
The Department reported £6·3 million in overpaid benefits via fraud investigations, but official errors in universal credit alone amounted to £8·47 million. Minister, what actions are you taking to identify weaknesses in the system to reduce those error rates and protect public money?
We are all, in the Assembly, guardians of the public purse. We have a responsibility to expose and end any wilful fraud of public funds. I commend the Minister for his determination on the matter to ensure that the welfare system is not abused. The Minister may have just answered the question that I wished to ask, but…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. Minister, what analysis have you carried out that points to the North of Ireland's having a particularly concerning issue with benefit fraud when compared with other jurisdictions that is evidence of the need for those tougher measures?
I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, there will be a cost to tackling fraud. Do you expect your Department to recoup savings to offset that expense?
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister's announcement will mean more onerous evidence checks on claimants to confirm their eligibility. That will fall on the already pressured staff, who are doing their best to manage the social security system. How will the…
I thank the Minister for bringing the statement to the House. I think that we all agree that more money being put into the pockets of those who need it is our end goal. The Minister highlighted the 10,000 annual fraud allegations, and, in response to his colleague Mrs Erskine, he referenced some of those prosecutions.…
I thank the Minister for his statement and his strong action to take every step to safeguard the best use of public funds. Does the Minister agree that those who have cheated the system should be pursued and that overpaid benefits should be recovered?
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. Whilst we all want to see a proper system in place to prevent people from abusing the system, it must be proportionate in the level of sanction that applies to individuals. Will the Minister outline what advice he has received from officials about the decision to name…
I thank the Minister for his statement. I agree that, if someone is defrauding the system and is convicted, they should be penalised. However, it is hard enough to get into the system in the first place. The Minister mentioned repeatedly bidding for additional resources for benefit security. Will he tell us,…
I thank the Minister for his statement and answers so far. I commend him for his work on the matter. I understand that he and his Department have been working on it for quite some time. It is a hot topic that comes up regularly for me in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. People want to see abuses in the…
— but the words of the former deputy leader of the DUP. Minister, the statement is titled 'Tackling Fraud and Error', yet there is no mention whatsoever of error in the statement. Will the Minister tell us the cost of error to the public purse and what he is doing to eradicate it?
I thank the Minister for his statement. I agree that fraud in all forms should be tackled, and abuse of the welfare system impacts on all of us. I would, however, love to see the same appetite for tackling the massive multibillion-pound tax evasion and avoidance that also squeeze public services. We oppose the…