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.
I do not think that this Government have any idea about the implications that their decisions are having for people across Northern Ireland, be they farmers, pensioners or the voluntary and community sector, which is doing key work in making sure that we tackle some of the most pressing issues in society. All that…
Thank you, Minister. I know that you will agree that the voluntary and community sector directly helps those who are most in need at their point of need. We listened with interest to the Secretary of State's speech last week. Do you think that he has any idea of the impact that his Government's Budget decisions will…
We are committed to the principle of full cost recovery in brokering funding arrangements with sector providers. Where delivery partners face significant unexpected cost pressures, we will consider all reasonable requests. I have demonstrated my commitment to the sector by providing a 5% uplift to key DFC funding…
I thank the Minister for his answer and his ongoing engagement with the voluntary and community sector, particularly for coming to the all-party group meeting recently to hear the sector's voice directly. Is the Department providing any additional support to the sector, given the challenging environment?
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will group questions 8 and 11 for answer. I understand and acknowledge the sector's concerns about the impacts of recent UK Government Budget decisions, including the increase to employers' National Insurance contributions. My Department currently has two contracts with voluntary…
Absolutely. That is an important part of what we are trying to do through the housing supply strategy. We need to make sure that we do everything that we can to make use of the buildings that we have. Sometimes, that involves extra cost, but it is still beneficial for us to make sure that we use the buildings that we…
I have also communicated with the Minister on this subject. The village catalyst programme was welcomed; it concentrated on historic buildings. Will the Minister confirm whether there are plans in the rest of the mandate to support bringing empty buildings back into use in rural villages and towns?
Minister, in 2023, your Department funded a £110,000 scheme to explore regeneration projects in 10 rural villages. Will you give us an update on those specific locations, please?
Yes, of course, absolutely. I know that that area is dear to the Member's heart, and I thank him for the continual, constant lobbying that he has been involved in up to this point. The commitment from the Department certainly stands.
I am sure that the Minister will agree that the best small town in the North Belfast constituency is Glengormley. Just before Christmas, the Minister kindly listened to representations to award £2·5 million to Glengormley town centre for a public realm scheme. Does the Minister stand over that important commitment to…
The Member is right: I do not want to give too much away on that. However, I hope that he recognises my commitment to making sure that we lead on the regeneration of cities, towns and villages of all sizes. Obviously, different responsibilities fall within the remits of different Departments, but I am pleased with…
I thank the Member for his response. The Minister may not want to reveal details of his proposals, but will they likely encompass a successor to the small settlements scheme?
The Department for Communities' regeneration policy focus is on urban settlements with a population of 5,000 or more. As rural villages and small towns have populations of under 5,000, they sit outside DFC's urban regeneration policy remit. Those smaller settlements fall within the remit of the Department of…
Mr Speaker, as you point out, that is not related to the question, but it is a good attempt by the Member to connect it, so perhaps I could write to him with that detail. Dereliction is an issue that needs to be addressed, and I look forward to seeing the dilapidation Bill coming forward from the Department of…
Minister, just down the hill from the Clifton Gateway, what is called the "Tribeca Quarter" is falling into dereliction, which is shameful. In response to a question for written answer from me in spring last year, you said that your officials were meeting Belfast City Council to discuss the vesting of that site. That…
Prior to the Clifton Gateway public realm scheme's being paused, design proposals had been developed, including engagement with key stakeholders. I suppose that the snag is that the design programmes will need to be reviewed and updated to take account of the eastern transport plan and Belfast Rapid Transit outcomes…
The Clifton Gateway area is key in the delivery of phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit scheme. That will, hopefully, serve not only North Belfast, of course, but some areas of my South Antrim constituency. Can the Minister give any further information on snag issues that might have arisen in the Clifton Gateway…
For Peter's Hill, which is phase 1 of the Shankill Gateway scheme, work is ongoing to procure the works contractor. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded in April of this year. Site works are expected to commence in spring or early summer and to take 12 months to be completed. That represents an…
I thank the Minister for his answer. It reiterates what we have heard previously, which is that the uncertainty over the rapid transit scheme is holding up the progress of the Clifton Street public realm scheme. Will the Minister update me on two nearby schemes: the lower Oldpark Road public realm scheme and the lower…
My Department's plans for the Clifton Gateway public realm scheme have been significantly impacted on by the work being undertaken by the Department for Infrastructure to develop the eastern transport plan 2035 and the proposals for the next phase of the Belfast Rapid Transit programme. Donegall Street, Clifton Street…
I hope that the Member will read all the documentation that has been put out. Previous investment contributes towards higher points in the matrix, not just investment throughout the process. It is important that those who have been willing to invest already in their facilities benefit from having done so. I encourage…
I welcome the impending and long-overdue opening of the Northern Ireland Football Fund. Its terms and conditions refer to the fact that match funding of 5% will be expected from successful clubs. In the case of a publicly owned ground, that increases to 40%. Given recent investment of somewhere in the region of £2…
We can certainly give advice. I am aware that trials are being conducted on additional organic materials that may be able to be used. I hope that the Member agrees that, instead of needing guidance in the first place, it would have been better for us to have had those discussions in the House to work out whether we…
What assurances can the Minister give to clubs with existing 3G pitches about support and advice when the pitches' surfaces reach the end of their lifespan and require replacement post 2031?