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.
It is a little early to be definitive about the statistical analysis of the disruption from the strikes, but some elective procedures will undoubtedly be postponed, which is a matter of deep regret for me. The doctors know that all that I am empowered to do is implement the 3·5% pay rise that the independent body…
Minister, what impact do you anticipate the industrial strike having on waiting times? I am aware of a patient who was sent home today after urgent testing because there would not be a doctor to interpret their results.
The statistics that I have quoted suggest that we are moving in the right direction. It is cold comfort for anybody who is waiting beyond the stipulated waiting time to know that other people may have benefited from the work that has gone into that, but I do not buy into the idea that there is total despair in the…
Minister, given that thousands of patients have died while on waiting lists in recent years, why should people have any confidence that delays in cancer diagnoses are not simply creating tomorrow's cancer treatment crisis?
The current waiting time is, I believe, just over five weeks, which is down from 12. That is cold comfort, given that the target is 14 days, but I will point out two issues to the Member. The first was the unacceptable variation between trusts. The Western Trust and the Southern Trust were the best and the worst. If…
— that is the same across the UK and across the world. What can be done to make sure that women are seen in a timely manner and that that wait of seven, eight or nine weeks is done away with?
Minister, that is a brilliant segue into the question that I will ask. Just over 5% of women who are now seen within the 14-day target for a suspected breast cancer in Northern Ireland. That has happened since the list was regionalised. I get the fact that cancer cases are rising, but —
Part of the answer is funding and resource. The elective care framework implementation and funding plan includes £13 million for endoscopy services and £12 million for diagnostic imaging. When the plan is fully implemented, the investment will deliver approximately 16,500 additional endoscopy procedures and 7,800…
I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?
Significant action is being taken to increase capacity across diagnostic imaging and endoscopy services, which are central to many cancer pathways. Recent management information shows encouraging progress. Between 31 March and 11 June this year, the number of patients waiting more than 28 days for a suspected cancer…
There are no circumstances in which a hard border would be good for the people of Ireland; it would not be good for anyone. Those who suggest that are being naive at best and dangerous at worst, in the sense of not understanding this society. Rural communities along the border are one and the same. The people in them…
Minister, I welcome the statement. I hope that you can take advantage of the Irish presidency and use your influence to push the need for a successor programme. My question is specifically about an issue that affects the border, which was asked about before. Clearly, the programme aims, in particular, to help border…
Much is said about working towards regional balance in our economy. What assessment has been made of the geographical spread of PEACE PLUS funding? Can you provide assurances that rural communities are not being left behind in favour of urban centres, which have much more capacity to apply for that funding?
Certainly, the Peace funding has been a substantial extra financial boost for Northern Ireland, particularly when it comes to capital projects. How do Ministers ensure that funding decisions by the SEUPB align as much as possible with the Northern Ireland Executive's Programme for Government?
Thank you, Minister, for your statement. You highlighted the Change Maker funding programme and support for 65 grassroots organisations. I am sure that you will agree that it is vital that the benefit of schemes is seen at a grassroots community level. In light of that, is it your view that similar small grants…
Minister, you outlined some of the benefits of the Peace and INTERREG programmes. How can those be improved, particularly in terms of economic development outputs for socially deprived communities as well?
The Minister will not be surprised by my question on the delay of the accounts certification on SEUPB, as we are in June 2026, 18 months after the end of financial year 2024. Those accounts have still not been certified in both jurisdictions, and a full further financial year has since passed. Minister, are there any…
Thank you, Minister, for your statement. You have outlined the current position with the PEACE PLUS programme. How does that link in with rural communities and deprived communities?
In compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make the following statement on the twenty-fifth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in special EU programmes sectoral format, which was held at Black Mountain Shared Space on 10 June 2026. As Finance Minister, I represented…
I thank the Minister for his statement. We have all seen the deterioration of our high streets and streets in our towns and villages with the shift to online shopping. Vacancy and dilapidation are now sadly the norm. Will the review act as a stimulus for businesses on those streets in our towns and villages?
Thank you for your statement, Minister. Anything that encourages local businesses to grow is important. Will you outline when the changes to non-domestic vacant rating will be introduced?
Minister, non-domestic vacant rates are a significant burden on many businesses across the board. What you have announced today will not support all those businesses. I appreciate that your proposals will raise revenue that, as you say, can be used by councils, but they are not getting that support, nor are they…
Thank you for your statement, Minister. I am pleased to see the non-domestic rates element of the review, which we have called for as a party, progressing. On the sustainable implementation of any changes, as noted in your statement, will the consultation consider views on the need for there to be targeted support and…
Where businesses feel that their circumstances have changed to such a degree that their rates cannot be met, there are opportunities. For example, they can engage directly with their local evaluator. There is a process in place for doing that. I have announced today a number of programmes to continue the small…