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I said in a debate just before recess that RHI is the subject that causes dread and fear in the Assembly, but it is important that we deal with the past not for the sake of ticking a box or having a report but to actually allow us to move forward and build confidence in the Assembly for the future. The Audit Office…
When the RHI inquiry concluded, over four years ago, the Democratic Unionist Party accepted the findings and noted that the recommendations that it contained were a "critical staging post" towards fixing systemic problems identified. Whilst it was right that there was accountability at a political level, the RHI…
The RHI scandal represented an outrageous failure of those behind the scheme not only to operate in a responsible and transparent manner but to make themselves accountable and take responsibility for those failures. The ongoing legacy of RHI not only damaged public confidence in the institutions of the Assembly and…
I beg to move Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Audit Office's update report on the implementation of recommendations from the RHI inquiry and on the broader subject of improved accountability and, indeed, reform of Stormont and its institutions. When I became an MLA…
I welcome the Minister's announcement. I am sorry for missing the start of his statement, but I have read it. Will there be any opportunity to fund the work of Rural Support, which is a charity that provides a lot of debt advice and support to farming families?
I wonder how far the £1·3 million will go, given the prevalence of debt in our communities. Will the Minister clarify whether that money includes training for new staff? In light of his announcement, how will he ensure that people get access to independent advice, including supporting people who may not feel…
I am pleased to hear the Minister mention faith-based organisations. Does he agree that faith-based organisations play a significant role in addressing many of the challenges that face our society today? Does he agree that the Government should work further with the sector to deliver on those issues?
I am disappointed to hear that that is the case in Belfast City Council. That absolutely should not be the way that it is done. I want to make sure that it gets to everybody who needs access to it, wherever they live in Northern Ireland. People should not be discriminated against on the basis of where they are from.…
I thank the Minister for his announcement. It is an important initiative that will be even more important this winter as a result of the decision taken by the Opposition's sister party in Parliament to cut the winter fuel allowance for pensioners. Minister, how can we ensure that the funding that is awarded to…
Minister, I welcome the £114,000 of additional moneys for debt advice services. I recently visited Foyle Foodbank. Food poverty, as you know, is a complex issue. It is often the result of debt incurred from unregulated lenders, many of whom are paramilitaries. Those paramilitaries act as gatekeepers in our…
I thank the Minister for his statement. It is very welcome at this time of financial pressure across Northern Ireland, and I welcome the fact that the money can be used in this way. I will ask two questions, if I may. I am interested to know what will be coming in the direction of Newry, Mourne and Down District…
This is a follow-up question to the Minister's previous answer. As the Minister mentioned in his statement, debt advice organisations such as Christians Against Poverty and St Vincent de Paul already provide a fantastic debt advice service. However, they, like others, struggle with the level of demand. How will the…
Like most others, I welcome the statement. Our offices are extremely busy dealing with people who are struggling. In his statement, the Minister talked about making sure that support gets to the right people at the right time, and he referenced Christians Against Poverty. I take it from the comment in which he singled…
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. The statement is very welcome. The Minister alluded to two organisations that provide that type of advice at present. How can the Minister ensure that those organisations in the various areas and so on will work in tandem…
Minister, money is always welcome. Thank you very much for bringing the funding forward for debt advice services in particular. As you said: "Only a small proportion of people receive the advice that they need". If we ask all 11 councils to promote the debt advice services that they will take forward, it will take a…
I commend the Minister for his innovative approach in establishing the integrated advice partnership fund and for recognising the local knowledge and expertise of our 11 councils, which will ensure that the additional £1·3 million from HM Treasury will be used to best effect in providing debt advice. Minister, what…
I, too, welcome the Minister's statement and the additional £1·3 million to expand and strengthen the debt advice available across the North, particularly in partnership with our councils. We know the great work that the councils have done with the Department over the years, particularly during COVID. We know that…
I am sure that the Minister, like many Members around the House, recognises that, in 2024, there is a vast array of lending options available to consumers, in particular, young people. In that vein, what engagement has he had with his colleague the Minister of Education on taking a preventative approach with younger…
Thank you very much, Minister. Like the Committee Chair, I welcome any penny that goes towards debt relief and advice. You mentioned that different councils will get different funding. Will you elaborate on the distribution? Will anything be built into the criteria to ensure that help reaches the most vulnerable…
I thank the Minister for his statement and welcome this move. Given the cut to the winter fuel payment, we could see increased demand for debt services this year. I thank the Minister, because he is thinking about support for people on the ground. Will he clarify exactly how much Fermanagh and Omagh District Council…
I thank the Minister for the statement. The Minister's intentions are good with the statement, but I am sure that he will agree that, when it comes to the wider problem, £1·3 million is like lifting a pebble off a mountain. I am sure the Minister will agree that Advice NI does a great job. Surely the funding would…
Good luck with that, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I will make a statement on additional funding for debt advice in Northern Ireland. Problem debt can have a devastating impact on individuals and families. It is harmful to physical and mental health and can take its toll on relationships with family and friends.…
I thank the Member for giving way. In the long recitation of his facts, the Minister did not at any stage tell us what weighting was given to each of his criteria, nor did he give us any facts about the involvement of the 'A Fair Start' panel in the development of the model. Does the Member agree with that point?
I appreciate the Member giving way. On the theme of facts, facts, facts that the Minister alluded to, does the Member think that people may have gathered the Minister's intention on the basis of the list of schools that were deemed eligible put on the Department of Education website by the Minister's staff and team?…
Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. A chairde, I want to open by thanking the many outstanding school teaching and non-teaching staff and our community and voluntary sector who strive daily to help children and young people reach their full potential despite the disadvantages that many pupils face. A wide…