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 agree with the Member. It is important not only to attract and recruit more young people into the Civil Service but to support them through continuing professional development (CPD). There is a significant programme in place throughout the Civil Service. If the Member would like to write to me, I can provide her…
Through the SDLP's Make Change programme, we want to see a Civil Service that employs young people and people from diverse backgrounds. I am mindful that, in years to come, 70% of grade 5s in the Civil Service are due to retire. What more can we do to upskill young people in the Civil Service and retain them? What…
The Civil Service undertakes a programme of outreach with the education sector to promote the careers opportunities that are available. Over the past 12 months, the Civil Service has participated in careers fairs and events with schools and has regularly engaged with local universities, including participating in…
I thank the Minister for her answer. What outreach work has taken place that is aimed at encouraging young people to join the Civil Service and at demonstrating the opportunities that are available?
To encourage young people to join the Civil Service, a range of measures has been introduced, including the increased use of external recruitment and expansion of entry routes into the Civil Service: for example, developing new apprenticeships schemes; launching a new Civil Service skills academy and graduate…
The allocation to the Executive for next year in relation to the Shared Prosperity Fund is, as yet, unknown, but the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government advises that it will provide that information soon to give certainty to groups and projects that may be facing funding cliff edges at the end of…
Many organisations across Northern Ireland, including in my constituency of East Antrim, rely on the Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver important services that affect all our communities. What is the Minister's assessment of the announcement of £900 million of transitional funding for the Shared Prosperity Fund, and…
No. As I said yesterday, when I made my statement on the Budget, I was disappointed that neither of those things was addressed in the British Chancellor's Budget, last Wednesday. That indicates the impact of bad decisions that are taken in Westminster on people here. Obviously, with the continuing challenges to the…
Minister, do you have any indication that there will be money to mitigate or reinstate the winter fuel payment or to mitigate or abolish the two-child tax limit?
As I indicated yesterday, the changes to rate relief in England for retail, hospitality and leisure have led to a reduction in our Barnett consequential for this year, along with some other rate reliefs of about £80 million that were removed or changed. As the Member is aware, we still face significant issues in…
The Chancellor announced an increase in employers' contributions to National Insurance, and businesses in Northern Ireland will have to pay that. The Chancellor also announced a reduction of 40% in business rates for retail and hospitality to help them offset that impact. Whether Northern Ireland businesses get that…
With the funding envelope for 2025-26 announced, it is my intention, subject to agreement, to publish a draft Budget by early December to allow for the full 12-week consultation before a final Budget is agreed by the Executive prior to the start of the new financial year.
— this draft Budget will be for one year only. Going forward, I intend to move to multi-year Budgets where multi-year spending review settlements allow.
Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 4 and 5 together. In the autumn Budget announced on 30 October, the British Chancellor set out the Executive's final funding envelope for 2024-25 and the funding envelope for the first phase of the spending review for 2025-26. For 2024-25, the Executive will…
A disposal process is undertaken in relation to any surplus buildings. That is something that I am keen to look at, review and make sure is fit for purpose, including in relation to community asset transfer. Therefore, I will be open to any conversations about how we can best utilise the buildings that we have, pass…
The Minister talked about the review of accommodation requirements that is under way. That may well lead to a rationalisation of the estate. Is there an option or policy on change of use that could be brought forward to allow the Minister for Communities first refusal for housing options, given that we are in a…
Civil Service staff are posted in accommodation across the North in the Department of Finance's office estate and in buildings owned or leased by other Departments. Six Connect2 hubs were opened in August 2022, allowing staff to work remotely at six regional locations — Ballykelly, Ballymena, Bangor, Craigavon,…
I have not had any direct correspondence on that issue from the Minister for Communities. Obviously, we are committed to ensuring regional balance in our office estate. I am happy to engage with the Minister or anyone else on that basis.
I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, the Minister for Communities recently made a welcome announcement of 1,000 new jobs across Northern Ireland. What discussions have taken place between your Department and the Department for Communities on job creation in Coleraine in the light of the Coleraine site having…
My Department is assessing its entire accommodation requirements as part of the NICS estate strategy, which includes its plans up to 2035.The implementation of the hybrid working policy in 2021 has significantly changed how the Civil Service uses its estate and has provided opportunities to progress a leaner, greener…
The Economy Minister leads on engaging with those organisations on their budgetary requirements. That will inform the bids that he makes in relation to the Budget and any monitoring rounds that are undertaken. The decisions that he makes on how funding flows from his Department will be a matter for him.
Minister, have you done any proactive work to ensure that Invest NI, InterTradeIreland and other relevant bodies have the funding that they need to promote and maximise dual market access?
The responsibilities of the post include coordinating the NICS management of potential or material regulatory divergence stemming from compliance with the Windsor framework; leading on the administration and maintenance of the Executive Office's EU law information tracking system; coordinating NICS engagement with the…