Carál Ní Chuilín
North Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“To continue the theme of undermining public confidence and public effectiveness, I ask you this, Minister: why do you and your DUP colleagues continue to block the 'good jobs' Bill, particularly the measures for parents whose babies require neonatal care and, indeed, other measures that will support workers who are struggling with the cos…”
“At the end of the day, guns were used to kill Catholics — Davy Payne; surface-to-air missiles in South Africa and Paris and then some. I will give the deputy First Minister another opportunity not to deflect but to condemn her party's involvement in Ulster Resistance and with the red berets that they wore.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. I have a close family relative who is in need of a SPiMS unit in an Irish-medium school but cannot access one in North Belfast at all. Apart from access in P4 and P5, they will have to go to an English-speaking school, even though Irish is their first language.”
“You mentioned some of the issues that are important: trade union representation, the banning of zero-hours contracts and employees being able to have their tips and service charges. Anyone who cannot get behind these proposals needs to be clear — concerns for some, and hiding behind the industry for others.”
“First Minister, I know that, recently, you were in Ardoyne for the sod cutting of the new £3·4 million purpose-built youth facility for Ardoyne Youth Enterprise. Further to your response to Brian Kingston, can you give us an update on that project and, indeed, any others?”
“I agree 100%, Linda. That is something that we all agree on. We met many people. The Bill was published and was based on the report of the truth recovery process.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,734 lines we hold for Carál Ní Chuilín, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 16 of 55.
“The Council agreed to hold its next language body meeting in early 2021.”
“Those achievements include the distribution of more than £4 million in grant aid to support Ulster-Scots cultural activities across Ulster; the development of the Discover Ulster-Scots centre in east Donegal and refurbishment of the Monreagh Ulster-Scots Heritage Centre, Carrigans; the publication by Foras na Gaeilge of the online English-Irish dictionary and subsequent launch of the print version, which is being distributed to bookshops; the support provided by Foras na Gaeilge to some 400 organisations annually, through 23 schemes and funding provided to approximately 170 groups under the schemes for young people, some 50 groups supporting festivals and 18 drama companies. <BR /> <BR />The Council approved the appointment of Daithí Mac Cárthaigh, Dr Neasa Ní Chiaráin and Ola Majekodunmi as board members of the North/South Language Body.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ministers noted that the agencies that comprise the North/South Language Body will continue to work together with both sponsor Departments to consider the impact of withdrawal from the EU. Ministers noted that the body does not anticipate significant impacts on the sector and that the matter will be kept under review at future NSMC meetings in the sector. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the progress reports for 2017-2020 that were received from the chief executive officers of the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge, and the key achievements of the North/South Language Body since the last sectoral meeting.”
“Following the opening remarks, Minister Chambers introduced the remaining items for discussion at the meeting. I will begin with the response to COVID-19. Ministers welcomed the continued commitment of all staff and organisations in both jurisdictions who have worked to promote and provide support to the Irish language and Ulster-Scots sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers noted the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the measures put in place by both Administrations to prevent the closure of key organisations, stabilise the sector and support longer-term recovery, renewal and change. Ministers noted the productive, ongoing cooperation between both Administrations and the North/South Language Body in relation to supports for Irish language and Ulster-Scots communities facing challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“As part of their opening remarks, Ministers acknowledged that it would have been preferable for the first NSMC sectoral meeting since June 2016 to have been held in the NSMC secretariat offices in Armagh. However, it was recognised that the meeting was being held remotely in support of the current public health efforts.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Language Body meeting. <BR /> <BR />The meeting was held virtually on 27 November 2020. The Executive were represented by me, as Minister for Communities, and by Minister Lyons. The Irish Government were represented by Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs and Sport, who also chaired the meeting. This statement has been agreed with Minister Lyons, and I am making it on behalf of both of us. <BR /> <BR />The meeting dealt with issues relating to the North/South Language Body and its two constituent agencies, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. The following topics were discussed and decisions were taken where appropriate.”
“As I said to Paul Frew, I will look again at opportunities to have people's face-to-face appeals heard, as close to their constituency as possible and with maximum confidentiality and sensitivity. At the end of the day, people should feel that they have been given a fair hearing. That is one of the most frustrating things for people who are waiting for an appeal.”
“To be honest, Cathal, there are thousands and thousands, which is unacceptable. The number is anything from 5,500 to 6,000. As I said to Daniel McCrossan earlier, the number increases all the time. I assure the Member, as I have done with other Members, that I am committed to trying to get those appeals heard as soon as possible and in a manner that helps the appellants. That is the concern that I have: the stress that they are under because they are not able to have their appeal heard in a way that suits them.”
“I certainly hope that the charities heard the news today. I know many of them, and our officials have been working with them. I know that the work that they are doing not only during this year but certainly going into the new year is really important. I give the Member my commitment that every charity, regardless of who it is, is respected and valued. I appreciate the work that they do to help so many despite having so little resource and investment. I am personally committed to making sure that charities get as much money as I can afford.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am not aware of it being excluded, but I will certainly check. Charities have had an absolutely horrendous time since March. A lot of the work, the purpose, the companionship and, indeed, the lifelines that those charities give to individuals is second to none. I want to make sure that they are supported as best as possible. Conor Murphy has supported my additional bid for moneys for charities in his announcement today.”
“It is like kids coming from a nursery, but at least they are outside, trying to do a bit of exercise and support each other. Some gym instructors are involved in those as well. They are trying to do their best in very difficult circumstances. I fully appreciate and understand that a lot of them are losing income when they can least afford to, but the ones who I have spoken to also want to keep their clients and customers safe and well.”
“I totally agree. I watched the match yesterday, and I watched matches over the whole weekend, whether I wanted to or not, because they were blaring from every TV and radio in the house. I congratulate them all. This is historic, and the way in which it all happened was almost freaky. <BR /> <BR />I wonder whether you were talking to my youngest son: he is a personal trainer. Even in my home I have one in my family. My neighbours are asking, "Why are the gyms closing?", and then people understand the restrictions. At the end of the day, people have to earn money. There needs to be some approach, even through the Department for the Economy, to try to get that. There is a walking club in my constituency of North Belfast where the people are 2 metres apart.”
“I agree with the Member. I am aware that, at a recent meeting with Sport NI, governing bodies were told that they would not get any money until, perhaps, the end of March, which sent everybody off in a spin. My intention is that, certainly early next month, those applications will open. I also welcome the additional £10 million that Conor Murphy has given, because it is clear that, without even getting down to the grassroots clubs, the governing bodies could have spent that £15 million themselves. We need to make sure that the money addresses the losses that people have now from a big governing body right down to a small grassroots club with a handful of people. It is important that they all get some money.”
“Mark Durkan is still here, and his constituency, Foyle, has the highest need, followed by North Belfast and West Belfast. Going back decades, those areas have had the highest need. That is why those areas need to be ring-fenced, and we need to have ambitious plans to reduce the stress that people live in, as well as future-proofing all of this for future generations. It is clear, not only anecdotally but evidentially, that, because the supply is not there and has not been there to meet demand, we need to start lifting the curve. The only way to do that is through proposals that address it head-on and look for opportunities for land development, particularly in areas of housing need. I believe that, up to now, that has not been the case.”
“Those are some of the ways in which we hope to address the acute housing shortage.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware of the statement that was made here some time ago. Across the North, the need is growing, and it has been growing exponentially every year. For people who live in acute housing need or what is described as "housing stress", that is completely unacceptable. That is why I introduced ring-fencing. That is just one example, but there are many other ways in which we need to tackle this. I am in discussions and will advance those discussions with housing association and Housing Executive colleagues, as well as councils, to see what land we can develop collectively as part of the local development plans. Then, we need to get houses that are fit for purpose and meet the needs of people in the area where they live.”
“I will certainly ask officials what happened in the Member's constituency. He can rest assured that I will do everything that I can to ensure that people have a fair hearing, because that is what it is about. I do not stand over anything that did not work or caused more stress. To be fair, the officials in my Department do not want that either, so something is not working. There is a massive backlog, and we need to fix it. We need to fix it so that people who are already going through a stressful situation are not put under additional stress, particularly given that the benefit is for people who need it most. That is my commitment.”
“People have said that they prefer that to happen by desktop, phone or videoconferencing. Again, I do not accept that I am deliberately failing anyone. If there are things that I could do better, I am happy to look at them, but I ask the Member to reconsider that.”
“I am not, so I respectfully disagree. <BR /> <BR />The Kickstart scheme will not be introduced this month, because we are not calling it "Kickstart"; we are callling it "Jobstart". It will be far better than what the British Government in England introduced. It will be a bespoke programme, and, if I introduced it, it would be done during a two-week lockdown. I do not want that to happen, because, as soon as it is introduced, the clock starts ticking. <BR /> <BR />With regard to PIP, if the Member had been here — I appreciate that we have to do a skeleton rota because of the restrictions — he would have heard me say — I will repeat it for him — that I am not happy with people just being given the opportunity to talk about their appeals over the phone; I want other avenues to be made available to them.”
“I will take the Member's last question first. First of all, it is not my intention to fail anybody. I just want the Member to accept that.”
“To give the Member assurance, I was not aware that it was open for only 17 days, so I make a commitment to him that I will find out what the criteria were, how long it was opened for, what notification the Arts Council gave, and then, if there is the need for an extension, I will talk to the Arts Council about how it can happen. I do not want anybody to fall out of the loop here, particularly if they can use their skills and expertise to help others, especially during COVID.”
“I have not seen the letter yet, but I am happy to look at it. When I do, I will decide whether to reissue guidance to the Arts Council or ask whether it could extend the fund. As the Member will also be aware, even the Ulster-Scots Agency has access to musical instruments, particularly for bands. It is really important, particularly when people are self-isolating and trying to do tutorials over the internet, that they are given access to instruments to teach with.”
“However, the issue for me is that a lot of people who are self-employed have not had access to any public funds, and that is a problem. I encourage the Member to encourage companies and individuals like that to apply to the Arts Council, because that is exactly the sort of support that we are trying to get out, particularly for people who have not had access to any public funds, who may not be eligible to universal credit or anything else and who, in the run-up to Christmas, have been put under additional pressure by not knowing where they will get support from.”
“A lot of companies that previously may have gone to the Arts Council got support from, for example, the Department for the Economy and some from the Department of Finance, particularly for rates.”
“The two programmes have resulted in grant awards totalling £4,400,000 to over 1,300 individuals. I will shortly make an announcement on further programmes to support individuals, and it continues to be my intention that those should be available to as wide a range as possible across the arts and creative sectors.”
“I thank the Member for his question. From my contact with people across the arts and culture sector, I understand the impact that the restrictions are having on their ability to make a living and the need to continue to provide support to individuals and organisations. As part of a wider package of measures to support the culture, arts and heritage sectors, the Arts Council, on my behalf and that of my Department, has delivered two rounds of funding to individuals working across the arts and creative sectors. The artists' emergency programme was open for applications from 27 April to mid-May, with payments made in May and June. The individual emergency resilience programme was open for applications from 31 July to 17 August, and offers of grant were issued in October.”
“Even through the Programme for Government negotiations before this place was brought back, I think that every party wanted the Programme for Government to have a housing indication and, within that, better housing targets. <BR /> <BR />I have given a policy direction. At the end of January, I will have proposals not just on tackling the ring-fencing but on increasing the number of housing starts. I think that the target was met one year, and that is not acceptable.”
“That is a new market not only for current tradespeople but for new and prospective tradespeople.”
“When the proposals come back, I will talk to other Departments. I want to go further to ensure that the way in which procurement happens is not open to as much challenge. Even current Housing Executive contracts are challenged at a low rate, which holds back procurement and contracts. I want to make sure that it is done as part of any contract, so social clauses, social benefits and social value need to be built in at the start and completion of a project — not for just a couple of weeks here and there — so that apprentices are fully supported from the day and hour that they walk in to the day and hour that they leave, hopefully with a trade. <BR /> <BR />In relation to the question from Rachel Woods, I hope that there will be an opportunity for new ways of construction.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is absolutely right. I remember when the policy was removed and the consultation on it. Let me be clear: I expect the Housing Executive to present me with proposals that look at the areas most in need. The Member's constituency is, unfortunately for him and for everybody else, at the top of that list, and that has persistently been the case. We need to look at ways to tackle that. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work. We need flexibilities or even the ability to contract in and out because it needs to reflect the true need and have an outcome for those on the waiting list.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I will look at the geographical area, but I can certainly talk to officials to ensure that that is the case. There is need in all constituencies. When the details on the policy's progress come back, I will look to see which areas are covered. As the Member will be aware, the issue for me is that, every year, the number of people in acute housing stress grows by 1,000. There are unacceptable levels across — it is right across — the constituency. I will wait to see what I am presented with, but I assure the Member that, if Newtownabbey is not there, I will certainly ask about that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I saw some media reports about that, prompted, I am sure, by the Member. It is very worrying if it is the case that those shower units were recalled in 2018 and a fire has subsequently happened in a home. Certainly, I await the outcome of the initial investigation. To assure you and, indeed, other Members, I will ask whether there were recalls in any other constituency and what has been done since. That is a fairly credible question to ask. If the advice that I get flags up concerns, I will share that with Members.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am currently considering a range of options to increase the supply of social housing to address demand. A key element of that plan will be to ring-fence and weight the social housing development programme's output so that it is better at providing new social homes in greater numbers in the areas of most need. My officials and the Housing Executive are progressing that work. It is my intention to see the ambition of ring-fencing reflected in the new three-year programme that will be submitted to me in January 2021.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I do not have information on that library, but I will get that to her in writing. I should have anticipated a question on at least one library in every constituency. That library was not on the list, so apologies for that.”
“When the restrictions are lifted and when the time is appropriate, I will be more than happy to visit the Member's constituency and that library.”
“Certainly. During my previous days in DCAL, I visited quite a few libraries in the Member's constituency. I am delighted to see that the library is receiving the support that it needs, because I can remember, from 2012 and 2013, that it needed support.”
“I thank the Member for her question. On 14 August 2020, my Department approved the outline business case for the redevelopment of Enniskillen library on the existing site at Halls Lane in Enniskillen. While the project is at an early stage, my Department has already allocated £150,000 in this financial year to Libraries NI to allow it to advance the project to the design and procurement phase. I can also confirm that a design team has been appointed to progress the concept design and the necessary feasibility studies and develop the design for the project. The construction of the new library has been projected to require an investment of £4·5 million. The estimated completion date is 2023.”
“For many people, particularly in our constituency, the level of respiratory disease is completely unacceptable.”
“The Member will not be shocked when I say that at least 40,000 homes are in need of serious repair. I consider being able to live in a home without developing a respiratory disease to be a basic ask. That is part of the reason that I made the statement on the reconfiguration of the landlord side of the Housing Executive to a mutual or cooperative. The Member will also be aware, from her previous days in the Committee for Social Development, that the Savills report put it at a cost of at least £7·1 billion; I imagine that the figure is probably closer to £7·8 billion now. Homes need to be safe, clean, warm and dry. We also need to use the proper models, materials and tools to ensure not only that we reduce fuel poverty but that we achieve better health outcomes.”
“I will just let the Member know, through you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, that I have not made a final decision on that. However, with regard to the point that was raised by Rachel Woods in her question, that would almost be signing off on a fitness standard that is old and is not fit for the 21st century. As part of looking at the regulations, we will look at the fitness standards not just for the public sector but the private sector.”
“I imagine that that will be part of the total cost indicator that housing associations and the Housing Executive will receive when they get to build. I will just double-check that. Certainly, if there is any increase in construction costs, as there may be, as a result of any improvements in building regulations, I would imagine that that would go into the total cost indicator. I will check that and get back to the Member in writing.”
“Certainly, I am on the record as looking at new construction methods. They will look at the best possible environmental standards. The documents that the Department of Finance is working through are quite technical. My understanding is that not only are they technical but there is a substantial volume of them. We want to do our best to get to them as part of the consultation, so that whatever changes are needed to the building control regulations will be done as soon as possible. I assure the Member that I will ask my officials, the Housing Executive and, indeed, housing associations to liaise closely and keep an eye out for the best possible standards. What we do not need is for new houses to be built that will have to be retrofitted a few years later. That is a waste of public money and people's patience.”
“I have had extensive engagement with Minister Murphy, particularly on the future of social housing, and I welcome any changes to the construction of social housing if it results — hopefully, it will — in improvements to overall environmental standards. In the meantime, my officials continue to engage with DOF officials. For example, our officials are also represented on the development of DFE's new energy strategy and on DAERA's future generations group on climate change. As the Member will be aware, primary responsibility for introducing a requirement in building regulations for dwellings to be zero-carbon rests with the Department of Finance building standards. However, we are working collectively to have those regulations introduced after a public consultation.”
“There will be a regional balance to that funding. If you listen to some of the clubs in Belfast alone, you will hear that they have it all spent, so I give the Member that assurance. We are working through the business cases and all the outstanding items that we need to get it concluded before I bring it to the Department of Finance and, indeed, the rest of the Executive for approval. It is really important that people who live in the Member's constituency can expect to get some money. <BR /> <BR />The Member may be aware that, this morning, I received an additional £10 million for the sports hardship fund. That is £25 million in total, which, I am sure the Member will agree, will go a long way to help clubs that are struggling at this time.”
“First, I am very conscious that many young people in particular have been prevented from getting involved in sports and training as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. I have no plans to review what is in the elite category unless the Member has specifics. Some of the correspondence that I have received from people asking for their sports to be categorised as elite will not fit the criteria, but that is not to say that the one that the Member has in mind will not. It may. <BR /> <BR />As the Member will be aware, I am working on the current health and scientific advice on the restrictions, and I have confidence. I spoke to the governing bodies and the clubs on the measures that they are taking, and I am keen to get youngsters and people like me, who are not so young, back out training.”
“Across all sports, grassroots have been part of the first response during the pandemic and are still playing the role of lifeline to people, even though it is not their primary function. They have lost money as a result of the restrictions that we have placed on them. As we all know, in the charitable and voluntary sector, the ability to raise money through these months has been greatly hindered. Grassroots are well entitled to expect some share of the funding.”
“You are OK. I could see Members' body language change there, so cool your jets and give me a couple of weeks. <BR /> <BR />Yes, it is really important that the governing bodies, of which there are many, be supported, and it is certainly important that grassroots clubs be supported as well.”
“For clarity, the Member said "early next week", but I said "early next month".”
“I have met a lot of representatives of governing bodies and have spoken to a lot of clubs, and I am well aware of the financial impact that the COVID interventions have had on the sports sector. It is my intention to launch the fund as soon as possible.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In short, early next month is when we hope to have applications for funding open. Following a successful October monitoring round bid, I secured £15 million, and I am sure that the Member heard that I successfully got another £10 million on top of that. The aim of those funds is to ensure that the sports sector, which is representative of such a diverse range of interests right across our community, is not only sustained during the ongoing COVID period but supported. <BR /> <BR />My officials and Sport NI are working on developing programmes that will deliver a needs-based scheme to ensure that the funding is distributed fairly, with full transparency, to those who can evidence that the financial loss has been incurred as a result of the restrictions.”