Pat Ramsey
Foyle · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“In light of the extensive reporting of the investigation, there is deep worry and concern amongst the families of staff and prisoners. Can the Minister give us an assurance that he is doing everything in his power to ensure the safety of the staff and prisoners in Maghaberry?”
“On her death, Lisa was awarded an ambassador role by the Singapore Government because of the level of donations she was able to give. Around 50 people got some form of donated organs from Lisa as a result of her untimely death.”
“I hope that, if the Bill passes, the number of transplants will seriously increase, as Jo-Anne Dobson outlined, and I have no doubt that it will. Lives will be saved. <BR /> <BR />I will take personal and political pleasure in supporting the Bill's passage to the Committee.”
“I say to the Member again that there is an opportunity for DUP members of the Health Committee to pose questions and to challenge. If they have concerns, they can raise those concerns. Like other Members, I would like to see an opportunity for the Bill, and I believe that it is a good Bill.”
“The increased awareness and discussion coming out of this is very helpful, as it will encourage and stimulate debate among the medical fraternity and clinicians. Alastair, you have been in some of the meetings where we had senior clinicians voicing their clear support in Northern Ireland for the Bill.”
“I am delighted to be able to talk in the debate today. I declare my membership of the all-party group on organ donation. <BR /> <BR />I have watched with interest over the years the political role that Jo-Anne Dobson has played in, and the passion that she has had for, elevating and promoting organ donation.”
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“As a good friend, I say to him and Doris, his wife, that I wish him every health and happiness in his retirement. Lord Hay of Ramelton, as he will hopefully be known, will be a champion and advocate for the Derry and north-west areas as he takes up his seat in the House of Lords. On behalf of the SDLP, I wish Willie and his wife, Doris, the very best in the future.”
“That forum is meeting soon. <BR /> <BR />There is also no doubt of Willie Hay's immense contribution to his constituency. The last violence in the centre of Derry was in 1999 and caused almost £2 million of damage. At that time, Willie Hay accelerated the process when others were challenging him for what he was doing, namely his engagement with the Apprentice Boys, the loyal orders, other political parties and the community and voluntary sector in the city. That brought reconciliation, resolve and compromise to the parades issue in the city. There is no doubt that Willie Hay will go down in the annals as the one person who inspired and brought people along with him. <BR /> <BR />I visited Willie at home recently, as other Members have done, and he is not at himself. However, as Gregory said, he still holds the same charm and dry wit.”
“I thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to acknowledge Willie Hay's contribution. <BR /> <BR />As the SDLP Whip and as a colleague and friend from his constituency, Willie's contribution has been obvious to me. Only for his help, guidance and cooperation, we could not do our job as Whips. As Members said, "honesty" and "honourability" are the key words that the Speaker brings to the table. He brought passion, integrity, dedication and impartiality. As Caitríona Ruane said, he worked tirelessly at times when it was difficult, not only by working at the Assembly Commission and the Business Committee but by helping to bring to the table a working North/South Parliamentary Forum. His relationship with the Ceann Comhairle in Dublin was exceptionally good, and if we did not have that relationship, we would not have the forum.”
“Further to Michaela's question, does the deputy First Minister believe that there should be a change in legislation to ensure that groups other than women are included? I attended an all-party group on visual impairment this morning. People who are visually impaired account for only 1% of public appointments across Northern Ireland, and there is discrimination against disabled people generally. Would the deputy First Minister like to comment on that?”
“Like other Members, I wish the Minister all the best for his new appointment. May he bring to it the same passion and commitment that he brought to education. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister look urgently at the demand for bungalow accommodation in new build programmes? It is an issue that I highlighted on the Floor to the previous Minister. Many disabled people, families and older people in our communities are being deprived of a bungalow because housing associations just will not build them for financial reasons.”
“I would like to know where the Member is referencing the cut in further education in the SDLP document. In the economic recovery document that we produced we made it clear that we wanted an extra £10 million, including for the NEET strategy. Where is he referencing that material from?”
“It is important to ask the Minister for Employment and Learning to continue to ensure that student support programmes are kept in place and remain high on his agenda.”
“That is at a time when needs, one would imagine, were increasing. The proposer of the motion made a good point when he asked this: is there enough education and awareness getting through to our community's most vulnerable students who are struggling? I take Alastair Ross's point that they may have given up because they could not cope any more. It would be good to get those figures, going forward.”
“As I have said, accommodation costs have risen. Maintenance grants continue to fall. <BR /> <BR />Several years ago, the Assembly and Executive made the important decision to protect our students from a rise in tuition fees that was demanded by the Tory Government in Britain. Today, students still face the threat of rising tuition fees, only now they may find that the safety net of the student hardship fund, which so many depend on, has been weakened. I am keen to hear from the Minister. We have been told that the money available in the student hardship fund has decreased by £1·3 million over the past five years. Although I accept the point that the Minister made to the Committee that nobody has been refused money, how, over the past five years, have we found there to be £1·3 million less in the system?”
“All of us who have had a daughter or son go through third level education know it to be a fact of life that, at the end of the day, we are the subsidy when they need money for a range of matters related to their full-time studies. <BR /> <BR />The hardship fund does not cover merely the cost of living. It provides funds for transport, for childcare, but, ultimately, for learning. It is further recognised that financial strain does not always occur due to poor budget planning. The student hardship fund protects our economically disadvantaged students from things that they can have no control over. The students of today live and learn in the shadow of one of the greatest recessions in living memory. The cost of living continues to rise, threatening prepared and unprepared students alike. In many cases, they are adversely affected later.”
“For many students, the journey in further education can be perilous. Many find themselves on a new level of social and financial independence that was, possibly, not there before. They had depended on their families, parents and other guardians to take them through. Undoubtedly, on the journey through student life, many never plan for rainy days. They fall short of money and struggle to cover rents. In this recession, it is clear that the cost of rental accommodation across Northern Ireland, particularly for students, has also increased significantly. Again, research reveals that 70% of our students rely on parental support to proceed with their education.”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I accept the point that the Member makes. Maybe the Department can give us those figures, because it is a subject that the Committee has been discussing in a number of meetings recently, given the media relevance. The Member will know that as a member of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />The proposer of the motion mentioned that the North West Regional College, in my constituency, had set up a food bank. Nobody comes up with such ideas unless there is a need there. Teachers in the college in the north-west area clearly thought that there was a need for food banks. They would not have set them up otherwise. It is as simple as that.”
“The Department for Employment and Learning has done good work in looking at increasing participation, the young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) agenda and youth unemployment, but it must address the issue that over 50% of young people in colleges across Northern Ireland feel in financial hardship and may abandon their course.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recognise that the student hardship fund exists as a vital support structure for those who have become economically disadvantaged in the noble pursuit of education and knowledge. The recent report from the NUS-USI suggested that 52% of those in further education — it is important that the Minister hears the survey results — considered themselves overwhelmed by finance to such an extent that they have considered abandoning their course. It is important that the Department examine a survey of that nature.”
“I support the motion. The SDLP recognises that the student hardship fund represents a crucial option for financially stretched students who have exhausted all other avenues of assistance and who clearly struggle from time to time when coping with the burden of academic study and financial strain. It is also key that the debate acknowledge the importance of third-level education, either in higher or further education. Members of the Employment and Learning Committee believe that, to ensure that one of the key elements of the Programme for Government — widening participation — is realised, it is crucial that funds are in place that will help those on the borderline and those who are dependent on families to subsidise their stay at university.”
“I thank the Minister for his response and for responding quickly to my request for a meeting, which is taking place next week with some of the traders. <BR /> <BR />One of the fundamental concerns of retailers in the walled city is that, literally yards outside the walls, some retailers in accommodation with the same square footage pay much less. What is the justification for retailers within the walled city paying exorbitant rates? Can the Minister give any explanation?”
“I thank the First Minister for his response. I think that he may have glossed over the particular point that I was making. Does the First Minister not believe that it is important to hear the views of our young people in particular, who feel marginalised and apathetic towards politics? Will he undertake a review, in conjunction with consulting with young people, of the role that young people should play in future elections?”
“— and unless we get some resolution to give confidence to people, we cannot go on. Again, I thank Maeve for securing the debate.”
“I want to know the Department's position in ensuring that that happens, and I want us to have it. <BR /> <BR />I have to finish on a positive. I understand the Minister: he brings great initiatives. There are some good initiatives at present, such as the hairdressing apprenticeships at the North West Regional College, which will make a difference. I know that there are some difficulties over the economic inactivity strategy. I hope that we can iron those out, because they will make a difference. By God, I can tell you this: there is only one real project in the north-west that will give people a big lift, and that is the campus at Magee. There is a hurt in the heart of the city, Minister —”
“The increased numbers for Magee are for Northern Ireland, the border counties and to encourage students from England, Scotland and Wales who may want to come here. There is clear and obvious evidence, locally and regionally, of ever-increasing student numbers moving away who might stay at home. The increased fees, for example, might mean that students may want to stay here. We see evidence of that. <BR /> <BR />My time has almost run out. Around November 2011, the University of Ulster paid a deposit for the land acquisition of Foyle and Londonderry College. This is key to the business case and in ensuring that the Minister has a legacy. They will have until 2016, when Foyle and Londonderry College moves campus to the Waterside. At that time, a decision will need to be taken to buy that land.”
“I thank the Member for his comments. Clearly, a business case has been presented. The Minister and the Department have a draft business case in their possession, which the Minister will confirm that he has received. We have been told that it was sent to him, and we have a copy of the outline business case that was submitted. We all got it five or six days ago by email, so I do not think that there is any doubt about that. I am making the point that we can develop and sustain an argument for the development. <BR /> <BR />I think back on the previous debate. On many occasions, unfortunately, Members go down the route of saying, "The Derry ones are at it again". These are not places for the people of Derry.”
“However, I assure you that, even before that took place, I would have said to the Minister, at a very early stage, given the politics surrounding it, "You should be taking this to the Executive". Irrespective of whether the business case is being sustained, it is important that you take that and test the Executive.”
“It was in the Programme for Government, but I am sure that the Minister will tell us that Magee was not specifically identified in that document. <BR /> <BR />At the same time, I have every confidence that the Minister will be positive today. In the Programme for Government, and given that the One Plan was key, certainly for representatives of the north-west, how many times did the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister seek an update on the progression, development or out-workings of the One Plan, as it was identified to Maeve or myself ? I would be keen to hear that from the Minister. <BR /> <BR />We have to be clear: the business case has to be approved and endorsed by yourselves, and, because of the levels of it, it has to go to DFP.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to place on record that the One Plan's priority and objective is for a university campus serving 9,400 full-time students, including 6,000 full-time undergraduate students, supported by an enhanced provision of 750 full-time undergraduate students at North West Regional College, bringing the total number of full-time undergraduates to 1,500, over the 10-year period to 2020. <BR /> <BR />I am just going to use the wording again, and it is important to say this: the One Plan encompassed, consulted and surveyed every household in the city. As a result, the key economic driver for the importance of Derry and its regeneration — culturally, socially and every other way — was the Magee campus. It was adopted with great aplomb by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister coming to the city and welcoming it.”
“I thank Maeve McLaughlin for securing this debate on what is, once again, one of the most important subject matters in the city. I serve on the Employment and Learning Committee, and the Minister knows full well that we all believe in this. To be honest, a debate like this goes to the heart of the city, Minister; it is like a wound in the heart of the city. As Maeve McLaughlin said, you provoked anger, frustration and absolute disappointment with your press release during the summer. <BR /> <BR />I know in my heart — I have met the Minister I do not know how many times, and I do not know how many times we have had this discussion — and I genuinely believe that the Minister is behind Magee and supports the importance of the One Plan that Maeve McLaughlin talked about.”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, I appeal directly to you to carry out your function to enable Altnagelvin and the trust to fulfil their obligation to provide a radiotherapy centre for people in Northern Ireland and, in a contract with the Irish Government, for those suffering from cancer in Donegal. Minister, I think that you have to examine and scrutinise forensically your other finances in the Health Department to ensure that crucial, vital, important services, such as radiotherapy and cardiac services, are protected. <BR /> <BR />I think that we have to be clear that we are demanding this. We are not saying that this is a need; we are saying that this must happen. We cannot under any circumstances allow a delay in the opening of the radiotherapy unit in Altnagelvin.”
“So, I think that it is an eye-opener for many of us who have been working on this project. We have all been working on it. The parliamentary team representing Foyle has been very diligent, with a unity of purpose, in trying to ensure that we are getting the importance of this message through and giving hope to so many people in our communities. There is nobody in the Chamber, including me, who does not have family members who have cancer. Those family members are dependent on the hope and desire that they are going to have treatment closer to home rather than facing the delays involved in having to come to spend a few days in Belfast, or in many cases weeks at a time, to get a 10-minute treatment during the day. That is what is happening at the present time.”
“<BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that, literally within days of the Minister coming into office, he overturned a prior decision and took the brave decision to proceed with this unit, which was welcomed not just by those in the north-west but across Northern Ireland. It is for the capacity of Northern Ireland. This is not a wee project in Derry, and it is not a whinge from the Derry ones; it is a project and a unit that will provide care and treatment for half of the Northern Trust, the entirety of the north-west and all of Donegal and further afield. So, I do not want to hear any sniping. I am sure that I will not, under the circumstances.”
“This morning, I saw a report in 'Radiotherapy News', a UK-based magazine, that gives details of the Minister's announcement on the cuts that will delay the cancer unit at Altnagelvin. At the best of times, it is difficult to attract, encourage and motivate staff to come to the north-west. However, when highly qualified potential candidates see that, it will certainly put them off. I am saying, Minister, that we need confidence and we need to acknowledge that, for Altnagelvin and the trust to encourage and attract the best possible candidates, this type of news is not good. The radiotherapy project team has endeavoured to plan for the recruitment of staff only at the key time periods required, and we therefore argue and suggest that any further delays will clearly impact on the operational date of the opening of this unit.”
“That includes clinical and medical staff.”
“That would impact on the trust's plans to:”
“Northern Ireland radiotherapy capacity will reach "saturation point" if the new radiotherapy unit is not in operation by the year 2016. <BR /> <BR />I want to focus on some issues to ensure that the Minister gets the point of why the SDLP felt it appropriate to prioritise this motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the face of Northern Ireland running out of radiotherapy capacity, the Minister's announcement that the unit faces delay is extremely worrying. It is expected that, as soon as 2015, radiotherapy demand in Northern Ireland will exceed capacity. The radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin needs to play a critical and crucial role in tackling that.”
“It is envisaged that the Belfast unit will serve 75% of patients and will be supported by Altnagelvin, which will handle the remaining 25%. <BR /> <BR />Yet disturbing uncertainty surrounds the radiotherapy unit, which is an enormous worry for staff. In a meeting of Derry City Council's regional services committee on 2 September, the chief executive of the Western Trust, Elaine Way, welcomed the fact that the infrastructure will not be affected by budget cuts, yet she clearly expressed concern about the very real possibility that the funds would not be available to recruit and train the necessary staff. As the capital funds for the radiotherapy unit and a new north wing have been agreed, it is imperative that the revenue funds needed to bring the capacity of staffing to that new unit are well financed.”
“However, in order to maximise the quality of service that that new unit can deliver, I urge the Minister — I am delighted that he is in his place — to do his utmost to implement the next phase of that project. It really is crucial. <BR /> <BR />This is 24-hour access to a safe and high-quality cardiac catheterisation laboratory, which will service people and patients seven days a week. With almost 40% of hospitalised heart attack patients suffering from STEMI, the most serious kind of cardiac attack, the PCI unit in Altnagelvin will complement the unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. So I have to say that this is not an issue of bolstering what we have in Derry. It is a facility and provision for Northern Ireland and the cross-border regions.”
“To be able to continue to provide that exemplary model of care, Altnagelvin has to have the necessary funding in coronary care. Its high-quality health care cannot continue in the face and the threats of cuts and delays. Whilst meeting the challenging targets is certainly not a rare occurrence in the trust, credit is due for the tremendous effort by medical and non-medical staff that made that particular incident over the weekend possible. <BR /> <BR />Again, the Western Trust is leading the way in providing outstanding care and the delivery of ambitious initiatives, and I have no doubt that the newly opened primary coronary intervention (PCI) unit at Altnagelvin will provide the same high standards of care and professionalism.”
“The Minister of Health must ensure that that type of delay never happens and that such critical and vital services are never threatened with such delays. <BR /> <BR />I would like to emphasise our praise for the admirable level of professionalism and dedication that is displayed by the staff in the Western Health and Social Care Trust. This weekend, for example, they met their target of a four-hour turnover for every patient who was admitted to accident and emergency. It is important that we key off the debate on a very positive and constructive note. The commitment and hard work of staff saved the life of a local taxi driver, Christie O'Donnell, who suffered a heart attack. The quick action of the staff in Altnagelvin ensured that Mr O'Donnell was seen to and placed in a bed in the hospital's coronary care unit within one hour.”
“Altnagelvin Hospital serves the population of the north-west of Ireland with vital and high-quality health care. In 2010, the present Minister announced that a much-needed radiotherapy unit would be completed and opened by mid-2016. The Minister is not in the Chamber, but I am sure that he will be. It was most welcome news that the Minister, after a few weeks in office, approved the radiotherapy unit — the Minister enters the room. Yet, in a recent letter to the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Minister announced a potential six-month delay due to a budget shortfall. Delays of that kind do and will put lives at risk and could have a serious detrimental effect on the quality of care that staff are in a position to provide.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. The Minister will be aware of the amount of time and investment that the Employment and Learning Committee put in, in a very intensive way, in looking at careers guidance. Can the Minister assure the House as best he can that, in going forward, we will have in place the most consistent, accurate, best-practice and, as he says, high-quality provision, ensuring that our young people going forward in careers are given the best advice?”
“I welcome very strongly the Minister's response to Judith Cochrane's questions. I know how relevant and important it is in my constituency. Alongside the public sector bodies that he has mentioned, is he encouraging or motivating any other sectors to try to bring them into higher-level apprenticeships?”
“I thank the Minister for her detailed response. Can she assure the House that the scheme will have the most effective and practical control measures but will not be overburdened by bureaucratic systems?”