John O'Dowd
Upper Bann · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“As I set out in response to the previous question, we have in place the vacant property rate relief scheme and the small business rate relief scheme, which are very successful. I set aside £10 million in the draft Budget for small business rate relief to be invested.”
“I am particularly keen to hear from those impacted by vacant commercial units and especially about how any phased increase can be implemented in a sustainable way that is fair, proportionate and sustainable within the tax system.”
“I outlined my intent to take that approach in my statement on 18 November, alongside the fact that reform of rating policy should support growth, make better use of property and ensure that the system is fair, proportionate and aligned with wider economic objectives.”
“The accelerator will operate alongside our highly successful Back in Business scheme, which has helped to bring over 100 vacant high street properties back into use since May 2024. Those issues have been the subject of considerable interest and comment in the Assembly, and it is right that we grasp the nettle now.”
“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. <BR /> <BR />Rural communities along the border are one and the same.”
“This announcement represents the next step in that. That said, I also put on record my intention to strengthen support for small businesses. In that vein, £10 million has been set aside in the draft Budget to broaden the impact of the small business rate relief scheme in order to increase the number of businesses that can benefit from it.…”
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“I launched that new resource at the Fiscal Council conference on 12 September 2025. Its aim is to provide greater transparency on Departments' spending and make information on government spending more accessible. I believe that it is an important resource that will make information on government spending more accessible and provide the public with a clearer view of the cost of delivering public services here and where their money goes.”
“Good financial information is critical to informing public debate. It can support and guide the difficult decisions needed to manage a constrained Budget and, ultimately, to help shape a more sustainable future for all. The Executive's Budget sustainability plan committed us to the development of a future work plan in that area. One strand of that work plan was the Budget improvement plan road map, setting out short- and longer-term action on areas of improvement and further development. As part of that work, my officials published draft and final Budget 2025-26 fact sheets, providing stakeholders with user-friendly, high-level information and infographics outlining the Budget position. <BR /> <BR />NISRA has developed a new web page that sets out breakdowns of departmental expenditure over the period 2016-17 to 2024-25.”
“I am of the view that the money is from the British Government. It is up to the British Government to account for it. The Executive will make their own contribution to Casement Park. The Secretary of State's announcement and, in fairness, the work that he has done — that part of the equation — were on British Government investment, so how the British Government treat that is a matter for them.”
“It is a very welcome investment. It provides another piece of the jigsaw of getting Casement Park up and going. The investment from the British Government, the Irish Government, the Executive and the GAA is now bringing the project forward. It is now time to move forward with a definitive plan, and, as I said to the Communities Minister yesterday, I will play my part in that and offer whatever assistance I can to ensure that the project is delivered. As I have been on record saying many times, I will play my part with other sporting organisations as well.”
“I will deal with those questions in reverse order. I am on record saying that I support investment in sport regardless of the size and shape of the ball or who does or does not play it. I will work with whomever to ensure that we get investment in sports and other areas in this place. However, I remind Members that Casement Park is the outstanding part of the jigsaw of the three stadia that were promised at that time. The other two have been built: Casement Park has not, so that is the starting point. <BR /> <BR />You asked where the rest of the money will come from. That is a matter for the GAA, the Communities Minister and others. You will be aware that the Irish Government have contributed and that the Executive have made a commitment, as has the GAA. If there are to be increases in those commitments, I stand ready to play my part.”
“I met the Communities Minister yesterday to discuss the next steps in the delivery of the project. I made it clear that I stand ready to offer whatever support my officials and I can to help make it happen.”
“The £50 million of financial transactions capital to support the redevelopment of Casement Park has been provided to the Executive for the period from 2026-27 to 2029-2030 subject to sufficient finance being raised elsewhere to deliver the project. That £50 million was over and above what the Executive's allocation of FTC would have been in the spending review period, so it can be used only for Casement Park. The profile of funding is also to be agreed with the British Government. The additional £50 million of FTC has been provided on a net basis, which means that it does not need to be repaid to the Treasury. No further conditions are attached to the funding. <BR /> <BR />In my view, the GAA community has waited far too long for the reconstruction of Casement Park.”
“The Back in Business scheme aims to help bring vibrancy, footfall and investment back to our high streets while providing businesses with a boost at the start of their business journey, thus helping support jobs and bring long-term vacant units back into use. The scheme offers businesses a 50% rates discount for up to two years if they move into premises that were previously used for retail purposes and that have been unoccupied for 12 months or more. So far, there have been 59 successful applications to fund new or expanding businesses through the scheme since its introduction last year. Awards have been made across all 11 council areas. Around £420,000 of rates support has been provided to the successful applicants.”
“When people stand in solidarity movements, they often stand beside people with whom they do not agree on everything, but let us agree on this, Gerry: stand in solidarity with Palestine.”
“I appeal to you and to others to set aside your petty party political point-scoring and stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
“You are not asking the question out of concern about Israeli war bonds; you are trying to score cheap political points. I appeal to you —”
“You know the answer. You know the answer, because —.”
“I will repeat my answer to the question. You already know the answer, because you are no hen's toe; you are not slow. You know the processes as well as I do.”
“Gerry, there is no doubt in my mind that you are fully aware that I have no authority over banking in this society — no doubt whatever. You and I have a lot of differences, but we have one thing in common: we stand in solidarity with Palestine. Let us not use party differences and party political niggling — wee digs here and a wee needle here — to disrupt the solidarity that is required for Palestine. Let us stand in solidarity with Palestine and set the party politics aside.”
“However, as I said in answer to your original question, there are strong views on those matters, but our job as leaders is to ensure that everyone in our society is treated with respect, particularly minorities. We all have to watch our language.”
“The Civil Service has a rigorous and detailed policy in relation to treating all of its staff with fairness, equality and respect. There are processes in that for anyone who feels that they have not been treated with fairness, equality and respect to have those matters looked into in further detail. <BR /> <BR />I have renewed my Department's membership of the Stonewall programme. It is only right and proper, given that we have a significant number of employees, that we have access to a diverse range of advice on such matters. My Department does not have to take on board the advice that is given to the Civil Service on such matters.”
“We all have to approach the issue with great sensitivity, particularly in relation to schools, where we are talking about young people and children. We should all measure our tones around such matters. I await the outcome of the Equality Commission's review of those matters. It is then best that the Executive discuss those matters before any individual moves forward. Always remember that, in those discussions, there are people — very young people and children — who, I have no doubt, as a result of yesterday's announcement, are feeling isolated and hurt.”
“Not as yet, because the appeal is pending, and we will have to wait for the outcome of that. We are progressing our way through engagement with officials in all Departments about preparation for the three-year Budget. It is clearly something that we have to be alert to. There are timescales that are outside our control, but we will be aware of those.”
“It is not a case of having to direct any Department in that regard. The funding for the A5 is from an Executive funding pot, so any underspends will have to be returned to the centre. My officials have engaged with DFI officials, asking them to estimate as quickly as possible how much capital will be returned in this financial year. Once we have confirmation of that figure, I will bring a paper to the Executive with proposals on how that funding should be reallocated. Ultimately, how that money will be reallocated will be a decision for the Executive.”
“We would want to assure ourselves that they are applicable. The grass is not always greener on the other side. Just because one jurisdiction is making a change, it does not necessarily mean that it is the right change of path or direction. As I said, I am aware of the proposals, and we are monitoring them. If that indicates to me that it is worthwhile to explore that pathway further, whether through a consultation or by bringing a review forward faster, I will do so.”
“I am aware of the proposals for England and Wales. The Member will be aware that we have a totally different rating system from that in England and Wales. Here, we have the regional rate, and then each local council sets its rate. In England, I understand that there is a set rate across all local authorities, which is different from what we have here. I am acutely aware of the issue, and I will continue to monitor the situation. The Member will also be aware that we have an ongoing review of our different rating systems, and, if the rating review in England signals a new approach or new ideas that we should explore more quickly than we had originally planned, we can bring that forward.”
“Without question. It is in the Labour Party's manifesto that it will respect the devolved institutions and, with regard to this matter, local growth funds should be sent back to the devolved institutions. Nobody knows better the needs of our society than its elected representatives. The Assembly and the Executive are the elected representatives of our society, and we should be allowed have the growth fund allocated to us in its entirety and should be allowed to allocate it.”
“I had a meeting yesterday morning with the Secretary of State, which was to be a pre-meeting for that which we were going to have with the then Housing Minister, Alex Norris. However, as a result of the reshuffles in Whitehall, Mr Norris is no longer in that post, and the meeting planned for today has been postponed until the new Minister reads himself into the brief. Those engagements continue. <BR /> <BR />I have expressed my frustration to the Secretary of State that there has been such a significant delay since the comprehensive spending review and no confirmation of how the growth fund will be delivered, how it will be split between capital and resource or what will be done to ensure that we do not reach a cliff edge. The lack of information that we can give to the community and voluntary sector is simply unacceptable.”
“More progress has been made on Magee in this past year than over the past 10 years. You have to move on to a new subject now, and you are right to do so. However, at some stage in the not-too-distant future, you will have to move on to a different subject, because progress will be made on Casement.”
“Uachtarán Shinn Féin produces alternative policy documents, alternative Budgets and alternative Programmes for Government. <BR /> <BR />I am the Minister of Finance. My responsibility is to engage with the Treasury on the release of the £50 million in FTC funding. I have actively and productively followed that through. The timescale for the delivery of Casement is a matter for the GAA and the Communities Minister. I will play my part wholeheartedly and fully in that engagement and will do everything under the responsibilities that fall to me to ensure that it is built. It will be built in the timescale that is required under the funding — the FTC funding is for four years — and other budgetary matters. <BR /> <BR />I have had similar conversations. You used to talk to us about Magee and ask, "What is going to happen with Magee?".”
“Mmm. When the Member completes his homework, I will tick the boxes in his test for him. I am still waiting for his homework on a wide range of issues. <BR /> <BR />I believe that Casement Park will be built. Commitment is required from the Executive and the Assembly to deliver on that and many other areas of the Programme for Government. Yes, I believe that Casement Park will be built.”
“For the record, there was no underspend in financial transactions capital for the previous year, as the Member knows, because we have this conversation every time we have Question Time or a ministerial statement. <BR /> <BR />I and my officials have engaged directly with the NIO and the Treasury on how that much welcomed investment of £50 million from the British Government will be used to deliver Casement. I have asked for meetings with my Executive colleagues on those matters, and discussions will take place in due course. <BR /> <BR />I have heard the Member ask that question of several Ministers over the past number of days. It is one of his six tests.”
“They also completed an extensive series of interviews with key stakeholders over the summer, including representatives of the retail, hospitality and food-to-go sectors, as well as representatives of groups from the wider economy such as the Federation of Small Businesses. <BR /> <BR />I will consider the options in the coming weeks before briefing Executive colleagues on the next steps. I highlight the fact that, given that the rating system provides a quarter of a billion pounds of support to non-domestic properties, the Executive will need to actively engage with any proposal to generate income through the strategic review process before any decisions can be made to provide additional supports through the same process.”
“I am pleased to say that good progress has been made by my Department in bringing that work forward. In line with my intention to act at pace to make progressive and positive changes to the rating system, I submitted an Executive paper prior to recess on the next steps regarding the maximum capital value and the early payment discount policies. The proposals would generate around £9 million for central and local government. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, any change to rating policy requires Executive approval, and there has to be a clear focus on what can be delivered from April 2026 and beyond. Significant work has been undertaken in recent months on the review of small businesses rate relief and non-domestic vacant rating. My officials have already completed the research work and tax base analysis associated with the review.”
“That piece of work has started and will have to continue. Obviously, we prioritise our Budget against our Programme for Government. Therefore, as part of the Budget sustainability plan, the Executive committed to the development of a future work plan. My officials recently completed an initial analytical exercise to align Budget allocations with the Programme for Government. The work mapped high-level departmental spending areas to Programme for Government priority missions and well-being domains, using the departmental estimates to identify how those areas contribute to the Programme for Government. It is hoped that the initial analysis will be published shortly.”
“As I said to one of your colleagues, my job as Finance Minister is to present a Budget to the Executive and the Assembly. If and when it is agreed, it is up to each Minister to use that Budget as has been agreed and outlined and to certainly do so in line with all the policies that govern us as Ministers, particularly the Programme for Government. Regional balance is vital, and, as I outlined, it always comes into the equation on any decisions that I make on the positioning of staff or resources.”
“I hope to be in a position to publish that analysis shortly.”
“In recognition of the importance of those priorities, the Executive earmarked allocations of £15 million and £17 million respectively in Budget 2025-26 for them. <BR /> <BR />Of the £17 million that has been earmarked for protecting Lough Neagh and the environment, £12 million is for the just transition fund for agriculture, which will help the agriculture sector deliver its contribution to meeting carbon budgets and emissions reduction targets. In addition to those specific allocations, individual Ministers will also be able to utilise their 2025-26 Budget allocations to direct their departmental budget allocations to the agreed Programme for Government priorities. My officials have also undertaken some further analysis to assess the extent of the wider alignment of the Budget 2025-26 to Programme for Government priorities.”
“Green growth contributes to the priorities in the Programme for Government to:”
“That goes back to Mr Kingston's concerns about Belfast and how, in some people's view, the hybrid working policy may have a detrimental impact on Belfast. The people who are not in Belfast on set days are working elsewhere, and, as I said to Ciara, given the nature of our society, many of those people are in rural locations such as villages or towns. The hybrid working policy allows a greater distribution of our staff to different locations at different times. Regionality is always taken into consideration when any actions are taken or decisions made about the relocation or closure of offices.”
“Civil Service staff are posted in accommodation across the region, including in the Department of Finance's estate and buildings that other Departments own or lease. Six Connect2 hubs opened in August 2022 to allow staff to work remotely at six regional locations in Ballykelly, Ballymena, Bangor, Craigavon, Downpatrick and Omagh as an occasional alternative to working from home. As a result of the hybrid working policy, staff are now working from home. As our society has a rural nature, many of our staff are from those areas, and they are now working in rural settings, such as villages or towns.”
“I certainly will pass on your thanks to the staff. Thank you for acknowledging the work of the staff. As I said in my original answer, we will review the estate in Coleraine over the next 12 months. At the appropriate stages, I will ensure that you are kept informed.”
“Further engagement will continue with Departments to consider how best to address their current and future requirements. Consultation with trade union representatives will, of course, be carried out as that work progresses.”
“When assessing the accommodation demand in a region, consideration is given to whether the demand can be met using the existing estate or whether it could be met from outside the existing estate. It may be appropriate to engage and partner with local authorities to explore whether an opportunity exists to bring them together to create public service hubs that can provide a range of benefits to residents under one roof. <BR /> <BR />A review of the Civil Service’s accommodation needs in Coleraine will be undertaken over the coming 12 months. My officials are consulting the Departments that occupy our buildings in the Coleraine area, including County Hall, to collect information and better understand their accommodation needs.”
“My officials met you at the end of August to provide an update on the Department’s planning considerations in the Coleraine area, which includes County Hall. It is important we have a modern, fit for purpose and correctly sized office estate that is a welcoming environment for people to work collaboratively in. <BR /> <BR />The first stage in the office estate strategy aims to reduce our in-scope footprint by 40% by 2028 through consolidating the office estate and divesting surplus properties. The second stage of the strategy aims to decarbonise the retained NICS office estate by reducing its reliance on fossil fuel heating and making it more energy efficient, with a view to meeting the sectoral emissions target in the climate action plan.”
“As I outlined in my substantive answer, experts are in place to monitor each of the projects and to report back to the transformation board. I have no difficulty with providing information, whether that is to the Committee or, maybe more formally, to the Assembly. Whichever way is most appropriate under the protocols and procedures, I am more than happy to do that at the appropriate time.”
“Appointments to the board's membership will bring an additional set of skills. The addition of Professor McCarthy and Gareth Hetherington will broaden the skills and expertise that are available to the board and complement those of existing members. The terms of reference for the transformation board have been finalised, which allows us to put the board on a firmer footing. The addition of the new board members will help to strengthen our ability to deliver meaningful transformation in the way that public services are delivered, which, ultimately, will make life better for the people whom we serve.”
“That is crucial, and a continuous monitoring process is in place. The public transformation board will monitor the projects on an ongoing basis. That will include experts, who have been put in place for each of the projects, providing feedback on the projects' implementation. Funding for the projects is also time-bound and attached to relevant timescales. There is ongoing analysis of those projects because we want to see value for money, ensure that lessons are being learnt and see how each Department is posing the question and seeking answers as to whether a project should continue and, if so, how it will fund it.”
“The board aims to provide its recommendations in October, with a view to releasing funding later this financial year.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 5 and 11 together. <BR /> <BR />The second call for transformation proposals was issued to Departments on 23 June. Twenty-five proposals were submitted by Departments to the Executive Office. Those proposals are being assessed by the Executive Office's reform and transformation team. Officials from my Department's public spending team are supporting Executive Office officials in that assessment. The next step will be for Executive Office officials, once they have completed their assessment, to provide advice to the public-sector transformation board to inform its consideration of the proposals. The board will then provide its recommendations to me, following which I will report to the Executive on the proposals that have been recommended for funding.”
“As someone who edges closer to retirement every year, I can say that there is life in the old dog yet, so I do not think that we should dismiss the older generation just yet. All recruitment competitions have to take place on merit and are open to all age ranges. When people apply, the job goes to the best person for it.”
“As I said to Mr Kingston, it is advantageous for us, as a significant employer, to be able to say to potential employees — it is also advantageous in retaining employees — that we offer hybrid working where suitable and with the agreement of line managers etc. Each case must be agreed individually. We remain a competitive workplace when jobs are available out there, and people can apply to many different places, perhaps even moving. <BR /> <BR />The retention — keeping — of experienced staff is important to any organisation. A workforce that is content and satisfied in its workplace is good for productivity. Through the delivery of the service, we have seen that we are able to maintain the delivery of our public services in a managed way.”
“<BR /> <BR />The new system that we have put in place for measuring will allow me to provide, in the future, figures such as those that you requested, but some of the figures that you require may be available from the individual Departments.”
“A policy is in place. It is down to Departments and line managers to manage that policy in working with their staff. The hybrid working policy has advantages for our service, offering flexibility of working location. We remain in a competitive market for the recruitment and retention of staff. The fact that we offer hybrid working where possible is an attractive feature for applicants who are coming into the service and for retaining staff in the service. <BR /> <BR />I accept that there may be impacts in some locations. There may be a negative impact in some locations and a positive impact in others, where staff are dispersed around the place. A lot of elements come into play with hybrid working. Overall, however, it has proven to be beneficial to the Civil Service and to the delivery of public services.”
“Each Department in the Civil Service is responsible for managing that information locally. My Department, however, has recently completed a review of the Civil Service hybrid working policy. Part of the policy review included the development of a new online system for hybrid working applications to enable management information to be produced on the operation of hybrid working across the Civil Service. That information will include the number of staff who avail themselves of hybrid working arrangements, the number of in-office days and office location. Implementation of the revised policy commenced on 1 September, with full implementation to be completed across all Departments by 31 October 2025. Management information on the operation of hybrid working across the Civil Service will be available later in the year.”