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.
That has been a persistent issue over a long period. We have performed poorly in relative terms on productivity, and different policy interventions will be required to improve that. Skills is one aspect, but we also need to support our businesses appropriately by ensuring that there is a policy environment across the…
I thank the Member for her good wishes and for her question. As I mentioned, I was at the launch of the skills barometer this morning. It is really important work. It is insightful and useful to a number of audiences. For us, as policymakers, it poses questions about how we will meet the workforce needs when, clearly,…
I thank the Member for her follow-up question. As a constituency representative, I have had those conversations, but I have not yet had the opportunity to be briefed on the matter in my ministerial capacity. I am happy to be, just as I am happy to work with Ulster University on any proposals that it may have, but…
I thank the Minister for her interest. It seems as though no one from the Northern Ireland Executive is leading on it; indeed, I have questioned both Departments about it. Northern Ireland needs a veterinary school, and Coleraine is the most obvious place for it. Will the Minister reconfirm her commitment to that, if…
I thank the Member for her good wishes and for her question. As a constituency representative, I have had engagement with Ulster University around these matters, and I know that it is introducing a new veterinary nursing course for the incoming academic year. That is a really positive development. The conversations…
I do not disagree with the Member in any way. Obviously, we have the energy strategy, and we need to deliver on the targets in that. Also, this is about the people whom we all represent and the cost that it has for them. We have all been acutely aware of that over the past number of years as we have faced the…
Thank you very much for your answer, Minister. Surely, this is a priority funding stream that should be in place to help meet the Assembly's climate change targets. Such a grant would aid low-income households and become part of the House's climate change initiative.
I thank the Member for his good wishes and for his question. There are differences between the structure of the energy market in the North and that in Britain. There are schemes that are provided there that are not provided here and vice versa. Obviously, energy policy is devolved, so we have the opportunities to…
I thank the Member for that follow-up question. Local economic partnerships will help to give us a better understanding of the economic needs and priorities in areas across the North. Clearly, skills are a critical part of our economic infrastructure, so this information will be really valuable for local partnerships.…
I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, I understand that the skills parameter will soon be published at a subregional level, which I very much welcome, particularly for the constituency of Foyle and the north-west. Does the Minister agree that that will benefit the work of our local economic partnerships and…
I thank the Member for her question. I was delighted to attend and speak at the launch of the 'Skills Barometer: 2023-2033' report this morning. I was encouraged that the sectors with the highest forecasted growth rates in the skills barometer align well with my Department's seven priority sectors. However, the skills…
I, like most people, recognise that the US is an important market for us. We export over £1 billion worth of goods and services to the US, so, clearly, it is an important relationship. As I said, I will seek to engage with US representatives in coming days and weeks.
Thank you, Minister. The fact that the US is negotiating its economic relationship with other nations is perhaps causing concern in the South given its ongoing operation as a tax haven of sorts. It would be advantageous for us to maintain the relationship that we have had with the United States. Will you undertake…
I echo the Member's words and understand the public sentiment behind them. We all abhor the horrifying scenes that we have seen in Gaza and Palestine over the past year and a half; most right-minded people do. We have consistently challenged the US, the British Government and others who provide arms to Israel and…
Thank you, Minister. I am glad that you have given that assurance, and I hope that it is true. Minister, the public are rightly outraged that public funding could be used in any way to arm Israel and will want transparency. Can the Minister explain why the confusion has arisen?
I thank the Member for her question. She is right: I have already addressed that issue. Invest NI has assured me that it does not provide support for projects that arm Israel, and no evidence has been provided to the contrary. As I indicated to Pat Sheehan, I have asked Invest NI to review its investments to make…
I thank the Member for her question and her good wishes. I am aware of proposals to develop Desertcreat and the opportunity that that site offers to deliver much-needed industrial land in mid-Ulster. I understand that Invest NI has been working with the council to assist in the development of its proposals for the…