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.”
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“While they have a budget at the minute, which is an estimated budget, they are looking at increasing that for the new mandates in both jurisdictions.”
“All the Departments and their ALBs and, in the context of this discussion, their constituent North/South bodies will have received their indicative budgets. Going into what will be primarily a new mandate for both Governments, they have begun and will continue with discussions on what a new mandate and new Ministers in both jurisdictions will perhaps have. They have a flat budget, which is an indicative budget at this stage. Anything else will be on top of that. I know that, in relation to Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, there have been concerns raised about the need for additional funding, particularly if they want to explore some of the opportunities that we have just spoken about, which may mean additional support. Some of that may come from T:BUC, but some needs to come from central funds.”
“There is an opportunity here to do it and to do it in a cross-community way.”
“It is trying to get those young people, who are not in training, education or employment, engaged in programmes that may be a gateway or provide opportunities for them to get involved in other schemes or other service provision. <BR /> <BR />I think that both Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency should be commended for seeing these opportunities and trying to exploit them, particularly for a group of young people which, by and large, has been very hard to reach.”
“The emergence of the Executive's Together: Building a United Community strategy has, I believe, presented many Ministers and Departments with additional opportunities to try to provide a better all-round approach to service delivery. Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency have identified possible opportunities, and they have done that through working jointly. The Member has already cited the joint working referred to in the statement, using both the Irish language and Ulster-Scots culture and heritage, particularly around place names. The feedback, particularly from teenagers and young adults, is that that is something that has been particularly useful.”
“It needs to put that recommendation to its board and then pass it on to us before making a decision. It is certainly doing a lot of the preliminary work which will help it make a decision on which fund to apply for. It is actively considering all those opportunities as we speak.”
“Chief executives and chairs of both organisations gave a report at the last sectoral meeting in November. It is true that Foras na Gaeilge has been able to proceed in a much more speedy way because there are natural linkages. I know that it is working with Macedonians, Swedish, Basques and Slovenians, particularly around minority languages in their written forms. There was almost a natural place for Foras na Gaeilge to apply for European funding. <BR /> <BR />In fairness to the Ulster-Scots Agency, it is trying to explore opportunities as well and it is looking at and discussing transnational and interregional programmes. The agency is not there yet. It needs to make a decision as to which programme it should apply to. Applying to Europe is very intensive, both in terms of human resources and finances.”
“They should look at securing their future for the next four years, and try to develop and help groups that are not only practising and participating in the Irish language, but those who are learning the language and giving support to parents and grandparents in the wider community, in after-school groups and provision for young people and teenagers. It goes right across the whole of the North. If there is any work to be picked out as an example of the successes of Foras na Gaeilge, it is Scéim Phobail Gaeilge. It is, in my opinion, one of the best examples of its work.”
“I thank the Chair for his questions. The current position regarding outstanding annual reports and accounts is moving on from where it was in the past. As the Chair knows, even in his previous role, there was a significant backlog of accounts which was of neither of our makings — it preceded us — but we are certainly heading in the right direction. The 2013 accounts were laid in the Assembly and in both Houses of the Oireachtas in June of this year, and we are proceeding with the 2014 accounts for both the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge. <BR /> <BR />In relation to Scéim Phobail Gaeilge, it is felt that smaller groups do more of the coalface community development.”
“They noted the wide range of key activities that have been expanded on in both jurisdictions, including music and dance tuition; the Ulster-Scots flagship scheme; North/South school twinnings; a post-primary curriculum pilot project; annual community picnics; heritage research and the development of heritage trails; continuing support for Monreagh Heritage Centre; blue plaques; touring exhibitions; the organisation of an Ulster-Scots heritage day; and a conference on the Irish-Scottish world in the Middle Ages. <BR /> <BR />The Council agreed that its next language body meeting will take place in the spring of 2016.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council noted that Glór na nGael, as the lead organisation in community and economic development through its network of development officers, will have a role in fostering, sharing and encouraging good practice in funded projects and will provide a mentoring, support and advice service to organisations whose applications do not meet the required standard for a grant offer. Ministers approved the revised scéim phobail Gaeilge/Irish language community scheme for implementation from 1 July 2016. <BR /> <BR />Ministers received a presentation from the CEO of the Ulster-Scots Agency outlining the agency's cross-border activities, consistent with its legislative remit for the promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and Ulster-Scots cultural issues.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council noted the key features of a revised scéim phobail Gaeilge/Irish language community scheme, which includes transition from a three- to a four-year scheme, the consolidation of progress to date and the facilitation of new communities to avail themselves of the scheme by increasing the number of possible grantees from the current 19 groups to a maximum of 26, which is an increase of 37% The Council noted a maximum grant level of €37,000 in year 1, rising to €40,000 in year 4, including 80% of the employment costs for development officers, and it noted a new focus on sustainable development in the communities, which will empower groups to retain ownership and stewardship in their target areas and ensure that permanent outcomes result from funding.”
“One of those organisations, Conradh na Gaeilge, has submitted an application under the recent round of the ERASMUS+ programme under key action 3 for youth structured dialogue. A larger project focusing on Families and Schools Together (FAST) for Gaeltacht and Irish-medium schools is being investigated.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ministers noted developments arising from Foras na Gaeilge's success in securing EU funding for the Other Words literary project under the Creative Europe programme, and that two working groups — one internal and one with the six lead organisations — continue to assess other opportunities, including Slí Cholmcille — the Colmcille heritage trail. Advanced discussions have been held between Foras na Gaeilge, Argyll and Bute Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council with the aim of submitting a preliminary application under the Atlantic area programme. Work is ongoing to identify other eligible partners outside Ireland and the UK. <BR /> <BR />Larger partnership projects are being explored by the lead organisations EU funding working group.”
“Ministers also noted that the Ulster-Scots Agency is continuing to explore opportunities under the INTERREG transnational programmes — the northern periphery and Arctic programme, and the Atlantic area programme, including the organisation of a workshop for the latter. The agency has applied to join the European route of industrial heritage network, which has 200 members in 43 countries, and is monitoring progress with the development of the LEADER/rural development programme whereby there may be opportunities to promote Ulster-Scots heritage.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council noted that the field audits of the 2014 accounts have been completed, and, following work by the Comptrollers and Auditors General to finalise the accounts of each agency, it is envisaged that the consolidated language body annual report and accounts for 2014 will be laid by spring 2016. Ministers noted that the agencies of the language body continue to engage in the identification of possible opportunities to maximise the benefits of EU funding.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ministers also noted progress on collaboration between Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, including two joint events as part of a community relations and cultural awareness week, comprising a lecture on Irish and Ulster-Scots elements in place names in Northern Ireland and a panel discussion on language traditions in Belfast; engagement in year 2 of a programme to raise awareness of Irish language and linguistic heritage and Ulster-Scots culture, heritage and language in post-primary schools; and the ongoing evaluation of the possibilities of participation in the United Youth programme under OFMDFM's strategy Together: Building a United Community, which seeks to provide an outlet for 10,000 young people who are not in training, education or employment.”
“Two key events were organised, comprising a conference in Trinity College Dublin to mark the 700th anniversary of the arrival of the Bruces in Ireland, with an attendance of 300; and an Ulster-Scots heritage day in Raphoe that had an attendance of 450. Support was provided to 21 summer schools, 12 community festivals and 12 community showcase events. Public awareness of Ulster Scots was increased through 19 group visits to the Discover Ulster Scots Centre, the publication of two editions of the Ulster-Scots newspaper and the establishment of a further three blue plaques around Ulster, celebrating pivotal figures from Ulster-Scots history.”
“The Irish language scheme for primary schools is being implemented, and new digital facilities are available from junior infant level to second class. Funding was provided for youth projects, including 92 summer camps to cater for 3,800 children, which is an increase of 200 from 2014, with 74 groups organising youth activities during the year in addition to the 428 Gaeltacht scholarships for young people here. <BR /> <BR />The promotion of Ulster Scots in education included the award of flagship status to six schools; the enrolment of 12 schools on the flagship starter programme; the delivery of five after-school clubs and 10 workshops; and two further east-west twinning projects between primary schools.”
“The meeting was chaired by Minister McHugh TD, and the following topics were discussed and decisions taken, where appropriate. <BR /> <BR />Ministers noted progress reports from the chairpersons and chief executive officers of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, which included the following achievements relating to the period from June 2015 to October 2015. The app for the new English-Irish dictionary was launched at Oireachtas na Gaeilge, and the Foclóir Beag was added to the online dictionary and language library. The Clár Leabhar Gaeilge campaign, under the auspices of the marketing support scheme for the Irish language publishing sector, is progressing well, with branded stalls in place in 15 shops.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mr Speaker, with your permission, and in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Language Body meeting that was held in the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrig, County Monaghan on 6 November 2015. <BR /> <BR />The Executive were represented by me as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and by junior Minister Emma Pengelly from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. The Irish Government were represented by lead Minister McHugh TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs; and Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The statement has been agreed with junior Minister Pengelly, and I make it on behalf of us both.”
“The business plan has been approved. The Member asks the same question after each statement on a sectoral meeting, so he should know that the accounts have to go to both Finance Departments and both Comptrollers and Auditors General before being read into the record of each jurisdiction, the Assembly and the Oireachtas. At that stage, the accounts for Waterways Ireland are in preparation, and, while there is a delay, it is much better than it was in previous years.”
“I think that it has been very proactive and I am content that the same energy and focus will continue in the future.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that Waterways Ireland has been extremely proactive and has met tourism sectors right across the island. As I mentioned earlier, it is working with local government and Departments to try to ensure that there is a better joined-up approach, particularly to events and sponsored events. You will see from the statement that it was successful in securing sponsorship for at least 112 events. It is also looking at using our waterways and canals to add to the tourist product. I know that it is has spoken to, for example, the Heritage Lottery Fund and some private trusts about the possibilities. Some of that work was particularly evident in the restoration of the Ulster canal, where an inter-agency approach was taken. However, it is not resting there; it is looking for opportunities right across.”
“It is anticipated that, in the not-too-distant future, elected representatives will be involved in the inter-agency group.”
“I thank the Member for her question. At this stage, the group does not include elected representatives. When Minister Humphreys and I met stakeholders after the NSMC meeting, that issue was raised. In fact, I met some representatives before the meeting and raised it in advance with Minister Humphreys. While the county councils are involved in the inter-agency group, and while that is appreciated and accepted, it was felt that elected representatives need to be involved because they are the real voice of the councils in trying to ensure that the direction that the councils are going in is appropriate to the needs of the people they represent. It would also mean that there would be better involvement and participation and, sometimes, a better joined-up approach.”
“I know that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Simon Coveney in the Irish Government have been working with Waterways Ireland to explore opportunities. Indeed, many bodies are trying to do that. There has been a great collaborative approach between Enniskillen and Monaghan and Cavan councils. That was evident in planning, first with the environmental impact assessments, and then with the planning regulations that were achieved. That partnership and relationship have continued. They will be pursued, and I will do whatever I can. Indeed, Waterways Ireland will do whatever it can to try to maximise opportunities to ensure not only that there is additional funding but that opportunities are not lost, particularly along the waterways.”
“<BR /> <BR />If the Member wants any additional information, I am open to receiving questions and answering them as best I can, but she needs to be proactive as well. If she is so discontented or unhappy with the level of detail provided, there is nothing stopping her from asking questions.”
“The Member has complained in the past. I am not aware of her approaching either Waterways Ireland or Foras na Gaeilge for additional information, or even, for that matter, coming to me in between statements on one sectoral format meeting and another. Notwithstanding that, the statement was agreed by both Departments and reflects the joint communiqué. As for the linkages, there are differences in pensions and travel costs between members of Waterways Ireland staff, depending on the jurisdiction. I am sure that the Member will agree with me that it is important to ensure that all pensions and travel costs, as well as any other employment-related matters, are synergised across the island.”
“That is a really good development, and we are all keen for it to continue.”
“I know that blueway developments are very successful, and some funds have been received from some Departments for them. In Enniskillen, our colleague Michelle O'Neill was involved in exploring options for blueways and, indeed, greenways. <BR /> <BR />On the Ulster canal restoration, as the Member may be aware, dredging has taken place on the River Finn. Waterways Ireland is looking at how it can extend that from Castle Saunderson to further afield. Through the work of the inter-agency group, and from meetings with local representatives that Minister Humphreys and I have had recently, it was very clear that there is a good energy. A can-do approach is being taken to try to secure additional funds — known as third-party funds — to look at opportunities to open up not only the canal but the walkways around our waterways.”
“I thank the Member for her comments and her acknowledgement of the work of Waterways Ireland in keeping the navigation system and waterways open. I am not aware of any adverse impact as a result of the weather conditions. However, as we get the reports, even those from yesterday and today, I am keeping a daily watch on them. After today, I will ask for an update. I know that Waterways Ireland has a very good and effective working relationship with county and district councils. It takes a partnership approach to all government agencies, irrespective of the jurisdiction in which they are based. It has certainly done that in the past, and I have no indication that it will not happen if needed this week or in future. It will be willing to do whatever it can.”
“I think that the Member will join me in ensuring that we continue to recognise the achievements of Waterways Ireland in keeping navigation open. It is now at 95% and over. I think that its priority is to ensure that navigation is kept open and that another priority is the restoration of the Ulster canal. As the Member will have had a chance to see in the statement, Waterways Ireland is actively exploring other opportunities for additional funding through European routes and is looking at partnerships with other nations and countries, particularly on canals and waterways, to ensure that it not only gets additional funding but helps the sustainability of the waterways currently open.”
“I thank the Chair for his question. I agree that concerns have been raised about the size of the Waterways Ireland headquarters building in Enniskillen. Perhaps, if there is excess office space that people could make use of, that should be explored. I think that this is an example of where that has happened. I am not aware of any other requests for space, but I will try to find out whether there have been requests and if they have been facilitated; or, if there is still additional space, what plans there are to have that space filled in future.”
“<BR /> <BR />The UK winner of a 2015 Living Waterways Award was Row the Erne, a community-based organisation that is facilitated and supported at Waterways Ireland's headquarters. Ministers noted the update on Waterways Ireland's work to maximise the benefit of EU funding opportunities. The Council approved the determination made by Waterways Ireland regarding legacy scale linkages for Northern-based staff. The Council consented to a number of property disposals. The Council approved the appointment Ms Georgina McIntyre to the post of chief executive of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), on the basis of a seven-year, fixed-term contract, subject to the final agreement of the contract of employment. The Council agreed to meet again in inland waterways sectoral format in spring 2016.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council received a progress report from Dawn Livingstone, chief executive of Waterways Ireland, on the activities of Waterways Ireland, including the following: management and maintenance of waterways continued, with over 95% of waterways remaining open for navigation in the period from April to October; capital expenditure focused on infrastructure repairs, with embankment strengthening and wall and bridge repairs; development work to refurbish waterside facilities and to extend towpath development is being enabled through third-party funding of €1,020,000; the dredging of the River Finn phase of the restoration of the Ulster canal from Upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson has been completed; Waterways Ireland is working with local authorities to explore options for the development of a greenway along the route of the Ulster canal; and 112 events were offered sponsorship support.”
“The Irish Government were represented by lead Minister McHugh TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs, and Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This statement has been agreed with junior Minister Pengelly, and I am making it on behalf of us both. <BR /> <BR />The meeting was chaired by Minister Humphreys TD and dealt with issues relating to inland waterways and its constituent agency, Waterways Ireland. The following topics were discussed and decisions taken where appropriate.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Before I commence my statement, I, too, wish Pat and Chris all the very best. Pat is a great public servant and is liked by everybody across parties, which is sometimes rare for this place, and I wish him, Chris and the girls all the very best. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, with your permission and in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) inland waterways meeting, which was held in the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, County Monaghan, on 6 November 2015. <BR /> <BR />The Executive were represented by me as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and by junior Minister Emma Pengelly from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />The importance of the legislation is to ensure that there is a recognition of protections and safeguards for the deaf community and that, where there is demand and where services are needed, our Departments and the Assembly have, within our gift, the legislation to protect people who wish to get on with their daily lives and do the things that we all take for granted but, for them, have proven to be very difficult obstacles wrapped with many challenges that we can only begin to understand.”
“It is to ensure that there are statutory protections. Thus far, it has been presented to me that, without these protections, deaf people feel very vulnerable and very isolated and, indeed, that resources, or potential resources, to do whatever practical things they wish to do are always on the basis of budget priorities. That cannot be the case in the future.”
“I support the Member's concern about trying to ensure that the deaf community is involved in this process from the onset right through to the consultation and, hopefully, the passing of legislation by the Assembly.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I certainly know of the work done by Hands That Talk, as do many others. It is critical that members of the deaf community are involved in the sign language partnership group. That group will be added to, if appropriate and necessary, to ensure that there is as much inclusion as possible and that as many needs as possible are included within the framework, with a view to going to a full public consultation.”
“I am not sure whether the Member was in the House when I responded to a previous question on that. I am trying to ensure that the financial resources for language classes and support are here so that it does not become an issue. That is very important. Not only that, I am committed to providing support and catering for the demand, as well as the potential increase in that demand. I believe that any Minister, if presented with this challenge, would try to ensure that it becomes a priority. I have made it a priority, and I have made the consultation a priority. I will ensure that I support those who need to access classes as best I can. I believe that I have done that, and I will continue to do so. If there is a need for additional support, I am open to seeing what that is.”
“While people are conscious that it will have a resource implication, I think that we are going into a new chapter, particularly on issues of access, and people in Departments, including Ministers, are looking at this to see what they can do. I believe that they will participate as fully as possible in a full public consultation, when it arrives, and try to give, as best as possible, their full support.”
“I thank the Member for his question and, indeed, his support. He has picked up on a very important point: our children and grandchildren's main development happens in their early years, and most children are educated in their early years through play. Communication is key in the development of our children. Imagine, however, the communication challenges for a profoundly deaf child and their family. That is why it was important that I informed ministerial colleagues that I was doing this: it will run beyond the end of this mandate and into the beginning of a new one, and there will be implications for other Departments — new Departments. There will be implications for Health, Education, social inclusion and much more besides. <BR /> <BR />I am really encouraged by the responses that I have received thus far, well before the deadline.”
“I am sure that he, along with colleagues, will want to try to ensure that we give those families our full support.”
“If it needs to be amended, there is time to do that and then to start the formal consultation process. As the Member said, he has seen at first hand the impact of profound deafness on a family.”
“The strategy looks at legislation for statutory protection, because there is none. At the minute, to be quite frank, you could put it down as a discretionary area of spend rather than something that must be done to support families of deaf children. Frankly, that is the situation. It is important to look for protections, particularly for children and families, and at how we can strengthen legislation. It is not just for the here and now but for future-proofing the sector, which, I believe, is very important. <BR /> <BR />Given that sign language is within the DCAL remit and that I have written to ministerial colleagues, I believe that the Executive will need to look at this in the next mandate. As I said, we need to start somewhere. We need to make sure that the framework, as a preconsultation exercise, is still appropriate.”
“<BR /> <BR />I support the Member's concern that we need to try to be a more outward-looking community and legislator, particularly for people who experience ongoing communication difficulties, but, on this occasion, it is particularly for deaf communities, who experience extreme hardship and isolation. I know that the Member supports their call for additional protections.”
“I appreciate the Member's concern, particularly on communication and language barriers for people who have made these shores their home. I support the sentiment of your question and proposition in making sure that there is full inclusion. However, DCAL is responsible for sign languages; I am not responsible for languages other than sign languages, Ulster-Scots culture and heritage and the Irish language. Within the gift of my Department and my responsibility, I am bringing forward additional protections, and, hopefully, through this mandate and into the next one, legislation that will secure those protections for the deaf community.”