Mickey Brady
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given that the show identified issues of police integrity, will the Minister now publicly encourage former and current members of the PSNI/RUC to cooperate fully with the Police Ombudsman and the historical investigations unit?”
“No, I will not. I absolutely refute that. I went in with an open mind, as did my party members, associates and comrades, so they can dress it up whatever they want. We went in expecting to hear evidence and expecting to make a decision based on the clear and unequivocal evidence that was given.”
“He was aware of the time spent on the inquiry by the Committee and departmental officials and looked forward to dealing with other issues under his remit. I am glad to hear that. He lamented that the time had not been spent on other important issues. I think that the Committee did as well, but as I said previously, this had to be done.”
“<BR /> <BR />Following consideration of the Committee's draft report, the DUP members of the Committee agreed that it did not in any way reflect their views, and, that being so, a minority report was produced and included in the appendices to the Committee report.”
“Mr Brimstone suffered from selective memory losses all the time. One of the arguments put forward was, "Well, her vote wouldn't have affected the board anyhow, so why would we have said this and that to her?" Why bother ringing her in the first place if her vote did not affect it?”
“As somebody who was involved with his own election campaign, I did not give it much thought. However, from Mr Campbell's point of view, it is my understanding that you probably wanted the report published the week before.”
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“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I have sat here for nearly six hours. I have heard people preaching, pontificating and, in some cases, talking absolute nonsense. I am glad to see that Mrs Kelly has come back into the Chamber. I ask her and her colleagues to explain to me why, on 17 December 2014, they signed up to an agreement with three other parties — not including Sinn Féin, I might add. That agreement — I have it here — contained no protection for children with disabilities, no protection for adults with severe disabilities, a two-year loss-of-benefit sanction, and no supplementary payments fund. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin had a detailed negotiation with the DUP, and an agreement including five parties was signed on 19 December. Mr Attwood, Mrs Kelly and their party colleagues seem to have assumed the moral high ground.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answers so far. Given her previous comments on plans to develop subregional facilities, will she outline the current status of the IFA governance situation?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is good that there is cross-party consensus in the debate. This is an issue that we are all concerned about. We realise that we have an elderly population that is continually growing. In many ways, it seems to be ignored. Money can be found for other things, for defence or other issues, yet the people who are most important — those who have given us the lifestyle and quality of life that we have — are often ignored. I ask the Minister to come forward with legislation as soon as possible and make sure that it is enforced.”
“Most of the people we visited were in their 80s. There was not just the social aspect: the person who delivered the meal also checked the fridge to make sure that the meal from the day before had been eaten. If not, the person might have flagged up a problem and contacted the doctor or social services. <BR /> <BR />The point has been well made that, if you introduce legislation that deals with these issues, there has to be enforcement. It is no good having legislation that does not have any effect. I repeat that we owe that duty of care to older people. In terms of what the Minister may or may not do, it is incumbent on him to introduce legislation. I commend Claire Keatinge, the Commissioner for Older People, who has done an excellent job in talking about the need for a new adult safeguarding Bill.”
“I just want to make that very clear. In many ways, it is the luck of the draw. If you have a quality of life and are mentally alert but physically frail, to live to that age is something worthwhile. Many people who are much younger do not have that quality of life but need that quality of life. It is important to make that point. <BR /> <BR />We talked about the reduction in domiciliary care. We had a trust giving people frozen meals for 14 days. Do those people have the facilities for storing or cooking those meals? Kieran McCarthy, who is no longer in the Chamber, other members of the Health Committee and I went out with meals on wheels in our constituencies about three years ago. One thing that struck me was that the person who delivered the meals was the only social contact that an elderly person had all day.”
“Owing to the reduction in domiciliary care, which was also referred to, people are often put in a position in which they have no choice but to go into residential care. <BR /> <BR />Paul Givan mentioned his wife's granny, who is 93 years old. I can trump that, because my mother will be 106 in approximately six weeks. I make the point that I was a very late baby.”
“<BR /> <BR />Part of the difficulty — Fearghal McKinney alluded to it — is that it is not in just residential care that abuse happens. People live in social isolation, which is a form of abuse in many ways. Those people are possibly suffering from depression and other ailments, physical and mental, yet are left very much to their own devices. They are the people who most need our help. <BR /> <BR />I read an article a couple of years ago about an elder abuse helpline. Approximately 5% of the population here were in residential care, and 23% of calls to that helpline came from residentials. Older people in that situation are often afraid because they have nowhere else to go. In many cases, they are paid for out of the public purse, because they have no other means.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I, too, support the motion. In many ways, it is sad that in 2015 we have to deal with a subject such as elder abuse. <BR /> <BR />Part of the difficulty is that people have become a commodity. In my constituency, going back 25 or 30 years, there were a number of statutory residentials. Those have been supplanted by private residentials. At this point, I will take a moment to say that the vast majority of residential accommodation is excellent, with staff who are caring in how they look after the people in their care. We all owe a duty of care to older people, who have contributed so much to society. Like Kieran McCarthy, I commend carers, who save the health service here billions of pounds a year yet often go unrecognised and unrewarded for the work that they do. Those people are to be commended.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answers so far. You have probably to some degree answered the question that I was going to ask, which was this: could the Minister confirm the number of lights repaired through DSD on grounds of safety?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Is he aware that a number of the recommendations in the Scoffield report relate to new regulations or legislation that is required? Given the vast sums of public money involved in the injury on duty awards scheme, when will the Minister bring forward proposals to implement those recommendations or reform of the scheme?”
“You can be assured that the Committee will conduct a full and effective scrutiny of the Bill at this stage. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, with the agreement of the Committee, I support the motion.”
“However, I would note that this is not pensions advice. As I said, pensions are a complex area. Receiving generic, albeit free, guidance, I believe, might be only a first step in this process. As an individual, determining what is right for you, given your requirements and your financial status, will require specific advice, and I am concerned that people will ultimately have to pay for that advice. We will continue to explore that with the Department. <BR /> <BR />Notwithstanding the introduction of automatic enrolment, the Committee also expressed concern regarding the number of people who might not be able to afford to save during their working life to secure a comfortable retirement. Those provisions will be before the Assembly in the form of a Pension Schemes Bill, reflecting the legislation in Westminster.”
“That is particularly important with the legislative consent motion, given the option for people to draw down funds from their pension pot from April 2015, once they reach the age of 55. Undoubtedly, that would appear to be an attractive option, but it also must be considered in the context of the impact on the final pension provision for that individual once he or she does retire. In other words, there is a risk that people could make choices that will leave them unable to fund their retirement fully. <BR /> <BR />Having access to pension guidance should enable individuals to make informed decisions about their longer-term retirement planning. Bearing that in mind, the Committee welcomed the changes to legislation in the knowledge that people will have access to pension guidance regarding their private pensions.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members will be only too well aware of the highly technical nature of pensions. Coupled with a range of legislative changes relating to pensions that have occurred over the last few years, planning for one’s pension is something that, to a greater or lesser extent, we all tend to avoid. It seems too difficult either to understand or to contemplate — or both. On the plus side, it would appear that we are living longer. However, with those matters taken together, it is more crucial than ever to ensure that people can plan effectively for their retirement. It is vital, therefore, when planning for retirement, that individuals have access to clear advice on the options open to them.”
“These are independent financial advice for those transferring out of defined benefit schemes; sums and assets that may be designated as available for drawdown, the conversion of certain benefits for drawdown and the calculation of lump sums; restrictions on the conversion of benefits while schemes are winding up and on the payment of lump sums while schemes are in the assessment phase for access to the pension protection fund; and changes to transfer rules for pension scheme members to facilitate the new flexibilities. <BR /> <BR />The Committee took evidence from departmental officials on the proposed legislative consent motion. The Committee recognised that the Assembly’s consent was required before the Westminster Bill reached Third Reading in the House of Lords and acknowledged that the provisions come into effect from 6 April 2015.”
“<BR /> <BR />As explained by the Minister, the Bill contains a number of provisions that will establish a new legislative framework for private pensions, defining them on the basis of the promise that they offer to members during the accumulation phase about their retirement benefits; facilitate greater flexibility in accessing benefits; and help people to make informed decisions about what to do with their scheme benefits. <BR /> <BR />As the Bill contains provisions dealing with certain devolved matters, the legislative consent motion seeks to bring forward provisions relating to a number of matters.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for bringing the legislative consent motion to the Assembly. As Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Social Development, I support the motion. <BR /> <BR />At its meeting of 15 January 2015, the Committee for Social Development agreed a short report on the legislative consent motion, concluding that it would support the motion. Notification was sent to all Members prior to the debate, drawing attention to the report on the Committee’s web pages.”
“Minister, if there is this centre of excellence in Craigavon, and the point has been made, by Mr Bradley and others, about the logistics of getting from Newry to Craigavon. You yourself made a point about the whole strategic issue of Transforming Your Care, which has been much talked about since December 2011. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister accept that, at this time, Transforming Your Care is a vision without action?”
“— have been extremely gloomy about the whole issue. When Transforming Your Care came out, we had people standing and pointing at the sign, saying that Daisy Hill was going to close. That simply has not happened. We need to project a positive image of Daisy Hill. I have constituents coming to me on a regular basis. If it was not for Daisy Hill Hospital, they would not be here.”
“Minister, with respect, that is a huge difference. <BR /> <BR />I will make some points about Daisy Hill. We in Sinn Féin have been very positive in promoting the good work in essential services that the staff carry out in Daisy Hill. I commend them for the tremendous work they do and have done over many years for our community. Conor Murphy, Martina Anderson and I visited Daisy Hill before Christmas, getting a tour of the facilities and meeting staff. One of the things that struck us was the commitment that staff at all levels have to that hospital. It is commendable; they have a genuine interest in it. <BR /> <BR />Some of Mrs McKevitt's colleagues, particularly some of her councillor colleagues —”
“I do not know if you have tried to get to Craigavon by bus from Newry, but it can be quite difficult. So, if people do not have access to public transport, they are going to have problems. Often, the spouses of stroke patients are old and may also have health problems, poor mobility and general frailty. They would have to make an approximately 40-mile journey from Newry to Craigavon, which is an 80-mile return journey. If you do not have access to a car or do not have a family who are going to take you there, you will have difficulties. <BR /> <BR />In 2011-12, Daisy Hill's length of stay for stroke patients was significantly better than Craigavon's. The average length of stay for stroke patients — acute and rehab — was 17 days in Daisy Hill. For Craigavon Hospital, for acute and rehab, it was 46·8 days.”
“I thank the Minister for his intervention. I was going to explain further why people are so disappointed. If you consider that stroke beds are being centralised to Craigavon, then stroke patients will be admitted to Daisy Hill to be assessed initially for thrombolysis or otherwise; however, if they are not eligible for the treatment, they will then transfer from Daisy Hill to Craigavon. Obviously, there are logistics involved in getting them from Daisy Hill to Craigavon, including having to wait in an ambulance etc. <BR /> <BR />It is worth making the point that 75% of stroke patients are over 65 years of age. Moving Newry and Mourne stroke patients to Craigavon will have a significant physical and financial impact on the older population. We are talking about the family and the extended family.”
“It is so disappointing that people are then having to move to Craigavon.”
“<BR /> <BR />We were told that centralising the stroke unit in Craigavon would provide enhanced access to brain imaging for stroke patients. That was explicitly an MRI scan. However, CT brain imaging, which is available at Daisy Hill, is highly sensitive for detecting haemorrhage. That is the reason that brain imaging is performed for suspected stroke patients initially admitted to hospital. If a haemorrhage can be excluded, the patient may be eligible for thrombolysis and get a clot-busting drug. <BR /> <BR />When I was visiting Daisy Hill Hospital with the Health Committee in December 2011, we were told that the record for someone coming in, being assessed and having thrombolysis was eight minutes. That is a fantastic record. We were told that by the people in the hospital. That cannot be bettered.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I also take the opportunity to congratulate you on your elevation. <BR /> <BR />It is good to see the Minister here. In fairness to him, over many years, he has been very supportive of Daisy Hill. I have attended many meetings at which he has questioned issues surrounding the hospital, and I hope that, as Minister, he will continue to do that and give it the attention that he gave it previously. <BR /> <BR />At the meeting in November, the board of the Southern Trust proposed the development of a single specialist inpatient stroke unit in the trust at Craigavon. I have to say that that caused great disappointment in Newry, because, for many years, Daisy Hill has been a model of good practice. It has probably one of the best records in Europe of dealing with strokes.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Given the increasing instances of flooding in our local communities, something that the people of Newry unfortunately experienced recently, what role is the Department playing in partnership with other Departments and public bodies to alleviate the worst impact of that flooding?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Could he outline what discussions he has had with colleges and universities about protecting student numbers? Go raibh maith agat.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he please outline the scope of the proposed legislation in schools? Go raibh maith agat.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. She has acted to protect the TRPSI programme. Will she outline what is allocated from that programme in 2015-16?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answers so far. She has probably covered some of the answer to this question: what is the importance of being classified as an active farmer?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Whatever influence I have, I always try to use it in a positive way. I wonder how those proposals fit in with the Programme for Government commitment to target rural poverty and social inclusion.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Is the Minister aware of development proposals for car parking at Hillsborough Castle entering and exiting the A1 and what impact those might have?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister provide some information about the process by which the money is allocated from the fund? Is there anything that he can do to ensure that more money from the fund goes to projects outside Belfast?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The Smith commission's recommendations on welfare have changed the context of welfare cuts. Does the Minister think that the enhanced benefits offered to Scotland could have some impact or potential here?”
“In seeking an extension, the Committee is, in effect, taking a precautionary approach. The Committee therefore agreed a motion to ask the Assembly for an extension to the Committee Stage until 26 March 2015, with the understanding that it intends to complete Consideration Stage much sooner than that. On behalf of the Committee, I ask the House to support the motion.”
“The Committee has already heard that there are potentially winners and losers in the new Pensions Bill, and we must give the issues closer scrutiny and examine just what we can do to minimise the impact of the Bill on those for whom it is not likely to be favourable. We may not have much room for flexibility, but that does not mean that we should simply rubber-stamp the legislation. <BR /> <BR />There is no way of knowing how many responses from stakeholders will be received before 16 December or how many sessions will be required to hear oral evidence from witnesses in the new year. With all that in mind, although the Committee will seek to complete its consideration within the 30-day time frame and hopes very much to do so, members agreed that it was important to build in sufficient time to address those unknowns.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. The Committee Stage of the Pensions Bill began on 19 November and is due to conclude on 20 January 2015. The Committee issued a call for evidence on 25 November, and that is due to end on 16 December. The Committee gave a commitment to conclude its consideration of the Bill within the 30-working-day time frame. To achieve that, it will take oral evidence tomorrow and hopes to hear from other witnesses before Christmas recess. It is nevertheless vital that the Committee scrutinise the Bill and do so effectively — to a standard that the House would consider adequate and that the public would expect.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Can he outline how our system enables young people to come together in their learning process? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answers so far. Will the Minister provide an update on Sport NI's new capital funding programme?”
“The regulations are designed to reduce any disruption in maintenance flowing to children and, in that sense, can be seen as a positive and protective measure. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the Committee for Social Development recommends that the statutory rule be confirmed by the Assembly.”
“The Department has advised the Committee that the powers will be exercised in such a way to ensure that payment to existing cases on the 1993 and 2003 schemes is minimised as far as possible. <BR /> <BR />The regulations specify the powers for cases to be closed. However, it should be noted that arrears will remain due and parents will not be relieved of their liability to pay unless those arrears meet the limited criteria for write-off. That could be, for example, where the parent with care no longer wants the arrears collected. Importantly, the continuity of maintenance payments to the parent with care will be protected. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that I speak for all members of the Committee when I say that any changes to child support must keep the welfare of the child as a key focus and priority.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. The Committee for Social Development considered the Department's proposal to make these regulations at its meeting on 5 June 2014 and the resulting statutory rule at its meeting on 3 July 2014. The Committee was supportive of the regulations. <BR /> <BR />The Committee noted that the regulations will enable the 2012 child maintenance scheme to gradually replace the 1993 and 2003 schemes and ensure a smooth transition to the new scheme. The Committee notes that the regulations will make provision to end liability in cases on the 1993 and 2003 child maintenance schemes. They also ensure that people who wish to remain on the statutory scheme can exercise that choice and are handled by the new 2012 child maintenance scheme.”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the Committee for Social Development is supportive of the regulations and recommends that the statutory rule be confirmed by the Assembly.”
“The Committee noted that, among other measures, the regulations will introduce fees for collect and pay services in the 2012 statutory child maintenance scheme as an incentive for parents to work together to reach their own family-based arrangement or to pay each other directly via direct pay within the statutory scheme if they cannot reach their own family-based arrangement. <BR /> <BR />Under the equivalent regulations in Britain, there is a £20 applications fee to access the 2012 child maintenance scheme. The Committee is pleased at the previous Minister's decision that residents in the North will not be charged such a fee. Of course, it may sound like a small saving, but £20 is by no means an insignificant sum, and the removal of any financial burden to claimants of child support fees is very welcome, as it is in any circumstance.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. The Committee for Social Development considered the Department’s proposal to make the Child Support Fees Regulations at its meeting on 5 June 2014 and considered the resulting statutory rule at its meeting on 3 July 2014. The Committee was supportive of the regulations. <BR /> <BR />The Committee took note that, although the primary power for child support fees is set out in the Child Maintenance Act 2008, this subordinate legislation is required to enable the full introduction of fees.”
“A lot of the political thought behind this is to encourage people to save, which is fine if you have an income that allows you to do so, but not for the majority of people and the majority of pensioners. Here in the North and in Britain, we have the meanest state pension in the developed world, so I think that we need to bear that in mind as well. While the Government, a couple of years ago, were talking about £185 being a minimum amount of pension, they are now talking about approximately £148. Obviously, that has not taken into account inflation and all those other issues. So, I think that this is something that the Committee needs to address seriously. Obviously, we will do that as we scrutinise this Bill.”
“A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the GB Bill estimated that most people would have to live to over 100 to be better off overall under the new system. Some of us may reach that milestone, but I am not sure how many of us will do so. The only significant exceptions to that are the long-term self-employed and people who start to receive credits to the basic state pension but not the second state pension. That is under universal credit, which, of course, has not been introduced and may well not be. <BR /> <BR />The other issue in relation to the new scheme was about how it is likely to be indexed. The Department, when asked about that, did not really seem to have an answer. So, there are many questions.”
“This might be bundled up as incentivised saving, and, of course, we can all acknowledge the benefits of encouraging prudent saving. However, we cannot ignore the challenges and difficulties that this will also inevitably present, particularly at a time when people are still struggling to find employment in the first place, and when the ability to amass personal savings cannot necessarily be relied on. The importance of pensions for people’s peace of mind cannot be overstated. The Committee looks forward to scrutinising the Bill in more detail over the coming months and will embark on this scrutiny process with this thought in mind to ensure that the impact of the new Bill on real people’s pensions is as positive as it can be. <BR /> <BR />I will now make a couple of remarks as an MLA.”
“It is young people who will perhaps most noticeably lose out as the retirement age increases and they find that they have to save more towards their retirement.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee is also committed to working with the Department to ensure that the eventual impacts of the outworkings of the legislation are as positive as they can be, minimising any outworkings that could have a negative impact. <BR /> <BR />People may be living longer, but that does not automatically mean that they are healthier. Everybody is entitled to feel secure in their retirement and confident that they will have the financial resources that they need. It is clear, however, that the Westminster Government's aim is to prevent poverty in retirement, not to provide a replacement income for those who earn enough to provide for their own retirement. <BR /> <BR />As I noted, we must recognise that there will inevitably be winners and losers as a result of this legislation.”