Rosaleen McCorley
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Níl ach cúpla focal le rá agam faoi Chéim Dheiridh an Bhille. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I have a few comments to make on the Bill reaching its Final Stage. <BR />I welcome the fact that we have reached this stage, and I want to thank the people who helped us to this stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />A huge amount of work has gone into the Bill. It is a very large piece of legislation, and, as we know, it is the first of its kind, in bringing together legislation on mental health and mental capacity.”
“While the BPS is disappointed that it did not get that in the Bill, nevertheless it will be working on the development of the code of practice and the regulations. The hope is that they will reach a conclusion and definitions that they will all be satisfied with. <BR /> <BR />Sin a bhfuil le rá agam. That is all I have to say.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh an dá ráiteas seo ag an Aire inniu agus molaim iad. I welcome both statements from the Minister today and commend them. <BR /> <BR />An dtig liom a fhiafraí den Aire cad é mar a bheidh an Gaelacadamh ábalta caighdeán acadúil a ardú agus díriú isteach ar riachtanais áitiúla?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Will the Minister please give a breakdown of the East Belfast housing stress figure in relation to council boundaries? That would accurately reflect where housing stress lies so that it can be more effectively dealt with.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. It was a very comprehensive answer, and I thank him for that. The statistics are encouraging and show that things are moving in the right direction, but as we know, there is a recurring, growing problem here.”
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“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. What is the current level of trade between the North and other EU regions?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answers thus far and also congratulate him on his new role. <BR /> <BR />I, like others, had intended to ask the Minister about the additional resources, but he has already answered that. How confident is he that vulnerable people will be well served in the new arrangements?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Will the Minister outline the role of the PCSPs in bringing together a strategy to tackle rural crime?”
“The budget for the Fire and Rescue Service needs to be guaranteed, as is right and proper for what is a necessary front-line service. Go raibh maith agat.”
“As we have seen, such incidents have become more common and look set to stay so, so that is another pressure on an already tight budget. <BR /> <BR />At the weekend, as other Members referred to, we witnessed the tragic death of Ellen Finnegan in Castlewellan as the result of a house fire. Nobody can imagine the pain that the family is going through, and we offer our condolences to her family and friends. We absolutely do not want to see an increase in the risk of such tragedies because the budget set aside for the Fire and Rescue Service is below what is required to run a safe and efficient service. <BR /> <BR />This service is far too important to be downgraded in any way. Yes, we can always look for efficiencies but not at the expense of lives.”
“I thank the Member for that intervention. I totally agree that those levels of cuts are unsafe, and I foretell huge risks to the safety of society here. <BR /> <BR />The fear is that there will be insufficient money to run a service that is capable of ensuring safety and efficiency. The belief, indeed the fear, is that this will ultimately mean that lives and property will be in danger. Currently, there is no recruitment and there are 60 unfilled posts. That must be having a negative impact on response times and the weight of response. Given that the number of accidental house fires increased last year, we can only regard this situation with huge concern. Added to that is the burden of rescue from flooding, which also falls to the Fire and Rescue Service.”
“Tá siad ag moladh go ndruidfear roinnt staisiún ag an deireadh seachtaine. There is a proposal to close some stations at weekends and reduce the opening hours at others while maintaining 24-hour cover. They are content that that is an appropriate level of cover for the level of risk in the North. Tá dearcadh iomlán difriúil ag ceardchumann na mbriogáidí dóiteáin sa Tuaisceart. The Fire Brigades Union in the North takes a completely different view. The union represents over 95% of uniformed staff; therefore, its views can be accepted as a representative voice for firefighters. It is saying that there could be risk to life if the proposals to cut opening hours are implemented. <BR /> <BR />Over the last number of years, the budget for the Fire and Rescue Service has reduced by 14·5%, and it could be in line for further cuts of 5% to 6%.”
“However, there is grave concern in the sector that services are being downgraded to such an extent that levels of provision are no longer safe and that it is not regarded by the Minister as a front-line service. <BR /> <BR />The Fire and Rescue Service recently carried out a five-year assessment and found that the risk in 11 station areas was not being covered by current provision. Four stations are being recommended for an increase in the number of full-time firefighters — Dungannon, Enniskillen, Downpatrick and Strabane — but it is proposed that other stations in Coleraine, Carrickfergus, Antrim, Portadown, Armagh, Newtownards and Omagh will have their opening hours cut from 12 hours to 10 hours a day.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Tá mé ag tacú leis an rún agus le leasú an SDLP. I support the motion and the SDLP amendment. <BR /> <BR />A Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, níl aon dabht go bhfuil ról ríthábhachtach ag na seirbhísí dóiteáin agus tarrthála. There is no doubt that the role of the Fire and Rescue Service is crucial, and we all owe a great debt of gratitude to it for keeping us and our community safe. It is an essential service that needs to be available at all times to deal with emergency fires, the rescue of people in road traffic accidents and other dangerous situations. The personnel who carry out those services save lives and provide a vital role in educating the public about fire prevention. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has stated that he will not preside over unsafe fire and rescue services.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. I also wish the Minister well for the future in her new role. An dtig liom iarraidh ar an Aire cén obair atá ar siúl faoi láthair le dul i ngleic le bochtanas agus díothacht leanaí? The Minister mentioned child poverty, so can she specifically outline what work is planned to tackle child poverty and child deprivation?”
“That is a very formal and informed statement on the shape of adult education and how it needs to be there to support the people who need it. <BR /> <BR />One final point I would like to make is on what it does for people with mental health issues. There is information that it is of great benefit to people with mental health issues and those who suffer from conditions such as depression and isolation. There are many positive reasons why we should continue to support and fund adult education.”
“<BR /> <BR />In a document called 'Belfast a Learning City', Eddie Rooney stated:”
“I would just like to outline some of the achievements of Conway Education Centre as an example of what these providers deliver for thousands of adults. In the last five years, 520 people have gained ICT qualifications and 260 have gained essential skills in maths. I have lost my other page. There is a wide range. Some 73 gained GCSE maths and English, and 63 gained business admin and accountancy. Some 1,500 attended unaccredited courses such as baking, gardening, digital photography, Irish language, local history etc. Approximately 30% of those attending unaccredited courses progressed to participation in an accredited course within 12 months, so you can see that, by encouraging people in and creating that facility, people seem to progress to a more formal style of education if that is their choice.”
“Tutors teaching European social fund-financed courses need a teaching certificate from Ulster University. That makes it more difficult. There are qualified teachers, but because they do not have the specific qualification required, they are not allowed to teach the funded courses.”
“Some of the positive impacts that the organisations deliver for individuals include providing the means for people to achieve their full potential through developing the confidence and skills essential for employability; breaking through isolation; maintaining good mental health; nurturing creativity and imagination; enhancing family relationships; and enabling civic participation. <BR /> <BR />It is true to say that providers face very serious issues, of which funding is a big one. A lot of their courses are unaccredited, which makes sourcing funding difficult. There is also a lack of firm research. Even though informal information and data are there to suggest that there is a real need, the actual hard research is not. There are also unnecessarily strict DEL requirements.”
“<BR /> <BR />In West Belfast, there is a rich environment of provision, and it is offered in lots of community organisations like the Conway Education Centre; the Frank Gillen Centre; the Falls Women's Centre; the Shankill Women's Centre; Footprints Women's Centre; Beechmount Community Centre; the Upper Andersonstown Community Forum; Lenadoon Community Forum; and Grosvenor Community Centre. I hope that I have not left anybody out. As you can see, there is a wide range of providers, which exist because the need is there.”
“People spent a short period in education and came out with no qualifications, in spite of the fact that they had many talents and capabilities to offer. It is good that, today, we have places that offer opportunities for adults to find their way into adult education. My mother availed herself of that. She did not achieve any formal qualifications in school, but she went back to adult education and achieved O levels in English and sociology, which she was very proud of. It does wonders for people's self-confidence, which is very positive. It is a unique educational response to the diverse needs of adult learners, and a wide range people avail themselves of adult education.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Tá mé an-sásta seans a bheith agam labhairt sa díospóireacht seo, agus gabhaim buíochas le mo chomhgleacaí Jennifer McCann as an cheist seo a chur faoi bhráid an Tionóil inniu. I am very happy to speak in the debate, and I thank my colleague Jennifer McCann for bringing the debate to the Floor this evening. A lot of valid and important points have already been made, so I do not wish to rehearse all that. The arguments have been well made, but I will just add some remarks of my own. <BR /> <BR />Not everyone has enjoyed a positive experience in mainstream education. A lot of adults grew up in a time when they did not have the kind of education system that we currently have.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. An dtig liom iarraidh ar an Aire: i ndiaidh an freagra ollmhór a fháil on phobal ag iarraidh reachtaíocht don Ghaeilge, an dtig léi cur síos a dhéanamh ar na buntáistí don phobal i ndiaidh Acht na Gaeilge a thabhairt isteach? Given the huge public response to the consultation on legislation on the Irish language, can she outline the benefits to the community of an Irish language Act being introduced?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. An dtig liom iarraidh ar an Aire cad é mar a théann Roinn s’aice i dteagmháil le pobail atá i mbaol ó thuillte? How does her Department engage with communities that are in danger from flooding?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he think that there will be any delay in the implementation of the strategy?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for that answer. Has the Minister had any engagements with the director of the PPS on the issue?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Does he agree that staff levels in the separated regime are outdated, disproportionate and unnecessary and that the over-staffing in Roe and Bush houses leads to under-staffing in the rest of Maghaberry and undermines the attempt to have a regime with purposeful activity at its core?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí. I thank the Minister for his answers. Can he outline how roles in the Health and Social Care Board will be divided up?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for her statement. Mar is eol don Aire, tá buarthaí móra ann maidir le cur chuige Fhoras na Gaeilge ar an Scéim Phobail Gaeilge (SPG) i gcomparáid leis an togra infheistíochta. An dtig leis an Aire sonraí a thabhairt ar an dóigh a dtabharfar tacaíocht don SPG le hinbhuanaitheacht a fhorbairt uaidh seo amach? As the Minister is aware, there are huge concerns about Foras na Gaeilge's approach to the SPG and the investment that has been given to the dictionary project by comparison. Will she give details on how the SPG will be supported so that it has better sustainability?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí agus cuirim fáilte roimh an ráiteas s’aici anseo ar maidin. I thank the Minister for her statement this morning, which I welcome. Which stakeholders are represented on the inter-agency group that has been set up to examine all options for the Ulster canal? Does it include elected representatives?”
“We have to continue to seek the highest standards of care and best practice in social care and social work. The systems that are in place have to be capable of ensuring such standards and best practice so that we have a well-regulated, professionally trained workforce who deliver the absolute best provision for vulnerable people here in the North. The Bill will, hopefully, help to achieve that. Given the time frame in which we have to progress several Bills, it will be a challenging time ahead for the Committee. Nonetheless, I look forward to further scrutiny of the Bill at Committee Stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />As other Members have attested, this comes about at a time when the part of the sector that cares for the elderly is greatly challenged. The recent announcement of the closure of the Four Seasons homes has been devastating for the people who live there and a massive blow to the care workers and other staff whose jobs may go. In addition, the Committee is in receipt of a disappointing report from the Commissioner for Older People in which she lays out many recommendations that she feels are necessary to improve the sector where there are failures in the system. We would like to see that addressed as well. It is part of a package. <BR /> <BR />It is important that those very disappointing events do not detract from the Bill's aims, which are extremely relevant nonetheless.”
“So, it is important that the proper regulation, provision and safeguards are in place for everyone's protection; workers, residents and service users alike. <BR /> <BR />There will be a further 12,000 staff registered by the end of next year. Registration of the social care workforce is key to the framework that the Department has brought in, because, as I said, it has a focus on reinforcing safeguards for service users, many of whom are vulnerable. So, it is important that they feel protected and that there is an emphasis put on ensuring their safety and well-being. It is also vital that the people who work in such environments are appropriately trained and work to the highest professional standards. It is equally important that there is public confidence in standards of provision in social work and social care environments.”
“It came into being with the remit of registering the social care workforce, which comprises social workers and social care workers. It is also responsible for setting standards of conduct in practice and for agreeing improved standards of training for social workers. Sanctions are another important function of the council. <BR /> <BR />In 2005, it became obligatory for people in that workforce to register, and there are 23,000 members who work in a wide range of social care settings. They include social workers, social work students, managers in residential daycare and domiciliary care settings, and staff in children's homes, adult residential care homes and nursing homes. There is a wide range of settings in which people who work in that environment are placed.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire as an Bhille seo a thabhairt isteach. I thank the Minister for tabling the Bill. Cibé ar bith, ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfuil díomá orm gur tugadh isteach é ag pointe an-mhall, gan riachtanas, i mo bharúil. I am disappointed that the Bill has been brought in at a very late stage unnecessarily. However, it is an important piece of legislation. It aims to regulate the system and ensure that the processes are in line with best practice in terms of workforce regulation and the achievement of continuing professional development (CPD) awards in social work. <BR /> <BR />The system is managed by the Social Care Council.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Cuirim fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire. An dtig liom a fhiafraí den Aire faoin phróiseas iarratais? An dtig léi cur síos ar chuidiú do chlubanna ar mheas a dhéanamh ar na hiarratais, agus cad é mar a dhéanfar na cinntí? Will the Minister outline the assistance that will be given to clubs in the application process? How will applications be assessed, and how will decisions be made?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as na freagraí sin. I thank the Member for those answers. Does the Assembly Commission believe that Irish citizens should be treated with equality? The Member has just said that; will she confirm it? Would the flying of the Irish national flag better reflect the Assembly and society?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The First Minister said that those engagements should be positive. Does he agree that it is also very important that they are inclusive and respectful?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. Agus guím gach rath ar an Chéad-Aire san am atá le teacht. I thank the First Minister for his answers, and I, too, wish him well for the future.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas ar maidin. I thank the Minister for her statement. An dtig leis an Aire cur síos ar an tacaíocht atá tugtha aici do na healaíona ó tháinig sí i gceannas ar a Roinn? Will she outline the support that she has given to the arts since coming into the Department?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I commend the Minister on a very in-depth and comprehensive answer. Can he elaborate on what lessons have been learnt from the clinics that could make access to justice more efficient and more effective?”
“The more we can do that and the more we can discuss the subject, the easier it will be in times when difficult circumstances arise.”
“I acknowledge the difficulties and the fact that lots of different views pertain on the subject. We will work through all the difficulties, hopefully, if the Bill proceeds to Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />On average, 15 people die while on the waiting list; that statistic was referred to earlier. We need to bear in mind that, maybe, that does not need to happen. As I said, given the opportunity, we will reflect very carefully on the implications of the Bill, and I hope that Members of the Assembly see fit to give it full support. <BR /> <BR />Before I finish, I will make one last point. It is important that we take responsibility for having conversations with our families and friends so that people know our wishes.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. He has made it quite a few times today and it has been responded to. Jo-Anne Dobson made a good response to it, so I am not going to add anything further. I believe that more lives will be saved and prolonged if we adopt a new soft opt-out system. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, it is an emotive and painful issue. It comes at a time in people's lives when hard decisions are made very difficult. We must try to make the circumstances easier for people to deal with. There are no more compelling arguments than the stories that we have heard today. At Committee, we also heard from people who have had real-life experience of organ donation, what it has meant for them and how it has made such a difference to their lives.”
“The circumstances for everyone involved are extremely difficult.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis labhairt ar an rún thar a bheith tábhachtach seo inniu. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important Bill. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the good work done by Jo-Anne Dobson in bringing about the Bill. It has been comprehensive, with lots and lots of hard, in-depth work, and it has raised awareness of the subject. It is an emotive subject, as we have heard from most Members. That is naturally so, because it involves lives, and lives are being lost because we do not have enough organ donors. <BR /> <BR />We have the opt-in system that allows people to opt in to be an organ donor. The soft opt-out way that is proposed is the right way to go, as it will allow for more opportunities for organ donation for people in difficult circumstances.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for her answer. What challenges will that pose for arm's-length bodies and community organisations? What can government do to support those groups?”
“An dtig liom iarraidh ar an Aire cad iad na himpleachtaí do bhuiséad a Roinne mar gheall ar an tuarastal is ísle nua?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas agus cuirim fáilte roimh an ráiteas. I thank the Minister for the statement, and I welcome it. The statement refers to the principles that the health service should be free at the point of delivery and that there should be equal access for all, but, given the huge inequalities that exist within the system, how does he intend to address those inequalities with what he proposed in the statement?”
“The families in Ballymurphy who lost their loved ones in 1971 are just as entitled to their truth. The 11 people who were brutally done to death on their own streets by the British Army will never regain the lives that they should have had, and those they left behind can only imagine the richness of the lives they should have shared. Tá sé ceart agus cóir go mbeidh a lá fírinne acu faoi dheireadh. It is only right and just that they should finally have their day of truth.”
“It is heartening to see the response from the Irish Government in recent times. Taoiseach Enda Kenny also expressed his disappointment at Theresa Villiers's failure to appoint a Hillsborough-style panel. He visited Ballymurphy earlier this year and listened to personal accounts of what happened from bereaved family members. He told them that he supported their case and undertook to raise it with David Cameron. We call on the British Government to do the decent thing and join the Irish Government to help bring forward the truth of what happened in August 1971. <BR /> <BR />"'Truth' is a small word, but a daunting concept." — so said Professor Phil Scraton, who was central to the campaign for truth after the Hillsborough disaster, which eventually succeeded in uncovering all of the truth of what happened on that terrible day in 1989.”
“She said that she was very moved by their pain and loss but did not feel that the public interest would be served by establishing an independent review. Secretary of State, I beg to differ, as do the Ballymurphy families. Níl ciall ar bith le do fhocail do dhaoine atá ag iarraidh na fírinne. Your words mean nothing to people who seek the truth.”
“Joseph Murphy's family said from the start that they believed that he was shot, into his open wounds, at a military barracks after being injured and that a bullet may still be lodged in his leg. Initial evidence from the exhumation certainly seems to suggest that there was indeed a second bullet. Rather than being treated for his injuries at the time, Joseph Murphy was beaten and then shot again. <BR /> <BR />To add to their pain and loss, Joseph's family, along with the other Ballymurphy families, have had to endure rejection, insults and closed doors from British agencies for asking for the truth about what happened to their loved ones. More recently, Secretary of State Theresa Villiers rejected their proposal for an investigatory panel to be set up.”