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Oh. She does not think so. I spoke too soon. Regardless, I welcome it that she supports the action that I have taken today. I was going to say to her that I did not think that it was possible for her to be in receipt of the winter fuel payment, but I will not make any comment after what she just said. I understand her…
Minister, thank you for your statement. Many pensioners in my constituency and throughout Northern Ireland will really welcome the one-off £100 payment. My household will get it, but I do not need it. I would like to regift it as part of a process set up by your Department so that the money can go to the charities…
I thank the Minister for his statement. We are all aware that, under the previous UK scheme, households that did not need the winter fuel payment received it anyway, as the Minister mentioned, rather than its being targeted at real need. What is his assessment of the concern that his approach simply replicates the…
I thank the Minister for his statement, which will be very much welcomed by pensioners in the Foyle constituency. It is important that we send a clear and consistent message about how the payments will be received. Will the Minister remind the House of the eligibility criteria for the Government's current winter fuel…
As a proud pensioner, I have to declare an interest in the topic. What role did third-party stakeholders, such as charities, community organisations and pensioners advocacy groups, play in helping him to shape the policy?
I thank the Minister for his statement. He has already answered most of my queries. It underscores the need for pensioners to review their benefit entitlements to ensure that they receive the support available to them. Has the Minister engaged with any Department other than DWP to ensure that nobody misses out on the…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. Will the Minister explain why he has prioritised a one-off payment rather than alternative forms of ongoing support for pensioners, particularly in the absence of a fuel poverty strategy?
I thank the Minister for his statement. This is significant news that will be very much welcomed by our constituents in East Antrim. We have touched on the PAC's report 'Child Poverty in Northern Ireland', which was launched this month and called for a new anti-poverty strategy. I very much welcome the Minister's…
Let me say this about the anti-poverty strategy: it has been a requirement, under the 1998 Act, for coming onto 26 years to deliver an anti-poverty strategy. None of the previous Ministers has been in a position to do that. As I have already confirmed and am happy to confirm again, that will be brought to the…
I welcome the statement from the Minister. This is good news, but, for poor pensioners who were getting £200 or £300 and who are now getting £100, and maybe not until the end of March, it will be too little and it will be too late. I am not sure whether the Minister wants to have to come back and make another apology…
Thank you very much, Minister. I hope that, when you said earlier that plenty of man-hours would be spent on this, you meant that plenty of woman-hours would be spent too. Minister, if the Committee for Communities had had the opportunity to discuss this with you, one of the things that we would like to have done…
I thank the Minister for this very welcome announcement, and I commend him for it. We all share concerns that increasing numbers of older people are being targeted by scammers, so can the Minister confirm that his Department will not be sending any correspondence or requests for bank account details or other personal…
I thank the Minister for his statement. A few months back, when the winter fuel payment was cut without any consultation or warning, pensioners across the United Kingdom were absolutely shocked and devastated. The Minister said at that time that he was committed to delivering what he could, and I am pleased to see him…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I welcome the statement, as my colleagues have. Minister, you did not consult the Communities Committee before giving the statement: why?
Thank you, Minister, for your statement. It is certainly welcome, particularly as you say that it will assist those who fall short of qualifying for pension credit. What action are you taking to tackle the broad issue of fuel poverty? Bearing in mind that giving £100 to pensioners in Northern Ireland, including those…
Minister, I welcome the statement. It is hugely welcome that this is the first devolved region to attempt to deal with the deceit, hurt and lies of the Labour Party's decision to remove the winter fuel payment from millions of pensioners across the United Kingdom. What has been the attitude of the Labour Party to date…
I, too, very much welcome the Minister's announcement of the £17 million in funding and the one-off winter fuel payment of £100 for all pensioners who have been affected. Does the Minister plan to address any potential gaps in support for pensioners who may not meet the eligibility criteria or those who may receive…
I join colleagues in welcoming the positive announcement by the Minister. I recognise the action. My party and I have engaged with him positively on those measures and others, and I am sure that he will recognise that. The Minister highlighted the increased uptake in applications for pension credit. Will he provide…
I wonder why the Minister felt it appropriate to give notice of his statement to an east Antrim Facebook group before the House was notified, which contravenes Standing Order 18B. Maybe the Minister could clarify why he did that. My question is this: was any consideration given to alternative approaches to the…
I thank the Minister for his statement. It will be really welcome in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. The Minister has put in place extra help for debt services, and he has now put in place fuel support for pensioners. Will he tell me whether, rather than just saying that the payment needed to be fully…
Minister, March 2025 helps no one today. You know fully about the struggles that people face. Today, £100 buys 150 litres of heating oil. That really does not go far enough to help those who are struggling. Will you clarify for the House whether the support is per household or per pensioner?