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 thank the Member for her question. There are a lot of things to consider in this regard. I do not like the position in which we find ourselves regarding dental waiting lists and access to dentists, but I do not think that there has been inaction for 10 years. We are in that position because we have been underfunded…
I thank the Minister for his response. Something that concerns me is that, in the past few months, over 2,500 people have been deregistered in East Antrim. That development may not be included in the Minister's stats. The figures are stark: only one third of adults in rural communities are registered with a dentist;…
I thank the Member for her question. Access to general dental services remains a priority for me. Although the most recent dental statistics show a continued decline in patient registration across Northern Ireland, the rate of decline has reduced substantially compared with the previous year. In East Antrim…
There is opportunity, but it is up to the Executive. My previous reports and recommendations on rates have been blocked at the Executive by the DUP. If there is a will, there is a way, however.
I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he believe that it is possible for any changes to rate relief, including those previously consulted on, such as the small business rate relief, to be implemented in the next financial year?
I commit to continued dialogue with the sector and look forward to its bringing proposals to me. I do not have the figure for how many hotels requested a valuation, but I am sure that the Member will agree that if a hotel, or any other premises or property, has been extended or had significant works carried out on it,…
Thank you, Minister. Your officials clearly knew that I might ask that question, so I thank them for the detail. That being the case, how many of those hotels requested the valuations that are taking place currently? Will you commit to continuing your dialogue with the sector to ensure that we have a fair and balanced…
That is not the case. Pausing the revaluation does not mean that the current valuation list should no longer be maintained. The list must be updated as properties are created, altered, demolished, divided or amalgamated. Where a new property is created or an existing property undergoes physical changes such as an…
Cash flow is always a challenge for businesses, particularly those in the SME sector. Paying suppliers on time remains a key priority for the Department. I recognise the important contribution that local businesses make. The Executive's prompt payment policy encourages Departments to aim to pay 90% of valid,…
I thank the Minister for that update. Will the Minister outline how important it is that prompt payment is made to support local businesses that provide services to government?
Social value and ensuring that we use government spending power to promote it has been a key factor of the procurement policy throughout my time and that of a number of my predecessors. Since February 2025, the revised social value in procurement policy has provided a stronger framework for monitoring and reporting…
My Department recently completed a consultation on the proposals for a business growth accelerator scheme and changes to non-domestic vacant rating. The proposals arose from work that was undertaken last year with business representatives through the strategic review work. My officials are reviewing the responses to…
I recently visited a business — a cafe — in the Harbour estate that opened as a result of the Back in Business scheme. The enthusiasm of the owners in taking on the huge challenges of opening their business was infectious. They were clear that the Back in Business scheme gave them a bit of breathing space to open,…
I hope to be in a position to publish a consultation on it shortly. I will bring more information to the House about that, given the seriousness of the issue and Members' interest in the process. While much of the public discussion is focused on cases in which one parent murdered the other parent, my Department's…
On 30 April, I announced my intention to bring forward proposals to reform aspects of family law, including parental responsibility, to ensure that our legal framework continues to protect children and reflects public expectations. Since that announcement, officials have been progressing work on a range of policy…
I understand that the Minister for Infrastructure is involved in that matter and will report back to the House or the farmers involved as soon as possible. It is a matter for the Minister for Infrastructure. The valuations are carried out through Land and Property Services, independent of interference from any…
I thank the Minister for his response. Obviously, compensation to landowners based on November 2024 valuations is unacceptable. What re-evaluation mechanism for those landowners are the Minister and his Infrastructure colleague looking at?
I do not have those figures in front of me. Each Department is working to its indicative budget, as set out by the permanent secretary, but the A5 is a flagship project, and, therefore, the funding for it is ring-fenced.
I agree that further legal protections need to be put in place, particularly for the children and the bereaved families concerned. Although Jade's law is on the statute books in England, it has not yet been enacted. It is well-intentioned legislation, but it is such a complex area that it has not been implemented. I…
I appreciate the Minister's response. Does he agree — I am sure that he does — that it is absolutely impossible to justify a situation in which someone who has murdered or attempted to murder their partner continues to exercise parental responsibility for their children? Urgent action is required. Will you commit to…
We are preparing a consultation on Jade's law. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the next number of weeks, possibly in November. We are making progress.
As with any negotiation, both sides have to approach it with a constructive mindset. The Executive are doing that. We have set out plans of how we see reform and efficiencies. However, the amount of money on the table at this stage simply does not meet the basic pressures that the Executive face. No one from the…