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.
Yes, I do. I have had that conversation briefly with the Minister of Education. The traditional pathways, basically through schools, were either into vocational work or universities. They are much broader and more varied now, and there is much more opportunity for people to follow high-level apprenticeships. We need…
Does the Minister agree that we need to improve career guidance and entry rates across the board, not only into the health service but across the public sector, and that any development of such a programme needs to be reflected in the ethos in our schools and in careers advice?
Primary responsibility for that will be with the Health Department. My Department has a general responsibility for skills, education and training, particularly in relation to apprenticeships. That scheme shows that, where there is collaboration between Departments, it can have a positive outcome. Albeit that is small…
A level 6 higher-level apprenticeship in adult nursing is currently approved for delivery by the Open University. Joint funding for a single cohort of nine apprentices was provided by my Department and the Department of Health. That cohort was recruited into the programme in 2020 and completed their apprenticeships in…
There are programmes that have come out of the Department in relation to supporting that energy efficiency. There are programmes that the Department has, but I understand that it will be an issue for Communities as well, which is in that kind of housebuilding arena. It is incumbent on us all to work together and link…
Has the Minister had or does he intend to have any practical discussions with Executive colleagues on how households can be supported to become more energy-efficient and how the transition to net zero can be made more affordable for ordinary people?
The Budget that we are currently dealing with is one that essentially should have been done or was due to have been done by the Secretary of State, and he stepped aside from that and left the Finance Minister with a very short-notice Budget. Of course, the Budget that we will be dealing with for next year has not yet…
If the costing is of the order of £460 million per annum running up to 2030, that is in excess of £2·5 billion. Can the Minister tell us whether there has been any budgeting for any of that that he is aware of?
If our strategy is to work in terms of the general renewables agenda that we want to promote across the island and the localised, smaller-scale improvements that people are doing in their own homes and areas and given the number of new builds that we have, we have to make sure that the connection charges are fair to…
I do not have the exact figures to hand. I am happy to provide him with that. Nonetheless, the strategy is a combined strategy across the Executive. It is about meeting our targets. Substantial work has been done, but it will have to be substantially improved to make sure that we meet the target for 2030 of an 80%…
I thank the Minister for his reply. Minister, the strategy details the requirement for capital investment of £461 million per annum from 2021. Can the Minister detail how much of that investment has been delivered to date?
The energy strategy, 'The Path to Net Zero Energy', was published in December 2021 following agreement by the Executive. It contained a commitment to report progress on cross-departmental actions to implement the strategy. Annual action plan reports on delivery in the first two years of the strategy have been…
As I said in response to the previous question, those brands are very strong and successful, not just in terms of their international recognition but because they have encouraged people who have received increased business to invest in their businesses to improve the tourism offer. The Member knows, as I do, that that…
Minister, what initiatives and efforts are your Department pursuing to bring the Ireland's Ancient East tourism product to Counties Armagh, Down and Antrim?
I spent time in Crumlin Road courthouse — not by choice, I have to add. My memories of it are not that fond. Nonetheless, I recognise the value of it and other significant listed buildings. I am very happy to engage with the Minister to discuss whether there is an overlap between our Departments. Sometimes we struggle…
This is my first time addressing the Minister in the Chamber, so I wish him well in his new role. Sticking with North Belfast, what engagement will he commit to having with the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on dealing with derelict and dilapidated buildings, such as Crumlin Road courthouse,…
I did not realise that North Belfast had stretched its boundaries all the way to the north coast. There has been ongoing discussion between Tourism NI and the agencies responsible for the Causeway coast and the Wild Atlantic Way. Various signage issues are being looked at. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East…
Part of the Department's approach generally will be about co-design, including on things like North Belfast's tourism product and areas of historical significance. Cave Hill does not just have its beauty; it is also where the United Irishmen declared their revolution, so it has historical significance as well. Where a…
I thank the Minister for his response. From the shores of Belfast lough and the historic White House to the beauty of Cave Hill and the cultural corridor on the edge of our capital city, as he rightly says, North Belfast is blessed with historic landmarks. How can we tie those across the Antrim and Newtownabbey…
North Belfast has a number of significant tourist attractions, including Crumlin Road Gaol and Belfast Castle. Tourism NI is developing plans and seeking opportunities for future capital programmes in order to enhance the tourism industry, and it is open to proposals for North Belfast. Tourism NI is also working with…
Belfast Met has autonomy in decision-making on its resources, infrastructure and estate, but I have had some representations on the matter, and I have asked officials to look at what the issues are. I know that there is some disquiet about it. I have to confess that I am not entirely certain of Belfast Met's plans for…
Education and skills are essential parts of facilitating the 10X strategy. A public consultation has recently ended on the potential closure of the Castlereagh Belfast Metropolitan campus, which is in my constituency of East Belfast. Will the Minister commit to meeting the management of Belfast Metropolitan College in…