Megan Fearon
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for his question and for recognising the good work that is being done for Syrian refugees relocating here. Just last week, junior Minister Ross and I met the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and, just today, we received a letter expressing his gratitude and commending us on the work that is being done.”
“Our Department will soon commence a review of the current Race Relations Order and other relevant legislation. We remain committed to achieving racial equality here and want our legislation to be a model for other jurisdictions. Our 10-year strategy sets out an ambitious but achievable programme to take this forward.”
“I thank the Member for her question. One of the key actions identified under the racial equality strategy is a review of current race relations legislation. Legislation has to be a priority, and reviewing that legislation is a massive piece of work, but it is important that we get it right. For me, that will be time well spent.”
“It is there for people who are in a crisis situation, providing immediate and very precise help to get them out of a hole by giving them food, clothing, heating, electricity or short-term accommodation.”
“Absolutely. The rights and entitlements that our ethnic minority communities have here are hugely important to us. I have already said that the UN has commended our approach to refugees, so I see no reason why we would not participate fully in upcoming committees.”
“I thank the Member for his question. There is an onus on all of us to show support to our minority ethnic communities and our migrant workers.”
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“I thank the Member for her question. One of the key actions identified under the racial equality strategy is a review of current race relations legislation. Legislation has to be a priority, and reviewing that legislation is a massive piece of work, but it is important that we get it right. For me, that will be time well spent. We very much hope to see new racial equality legislation in place in the 2017-18 financial year.”
“Absolutely. The rights and entitlements that our ethnic minority communities have here are hugely important to us. I have already said that the UN has commended our approach to refugees, so I see no reason why we would not participate fully in upcoming committees.”
“The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has commended the racial equality strategy and our approach to several things. I am happy to write to the Member with more information if he wants to come back to me with specifics.”
“It is there for people who are in a crisis situation, providing immediate and very precise help to get them out of a hole by giving them food, clothing, heating, electricity or short-term accommodation. The crisis fund makes a real impact; in fact, it has made such an impact and been such a success that Scotland and Wales are looking to replicate the model.”
“I thank the Member for his question and for recognising the good work that is being done for Syrian refugees relocating here. Just last week, junior Minister Ross and I met the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and, just today, we received a letter expressing his gratitude and commending us on the work that is being done. He was very touched by the experiences of refugees living here and wanted to pass on that message regarding their experience under our operation. <BR /> <BR />The crisis fund and the minority ethnic development fund are key delivery mechanisms of the racial equality strategy, and the Red Cross is responsible for administering the £100,000 budget of the crisis fund. It is there for vulnerable migrants, destitute refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups.”
“Our Department will soon commence a review of the current Race Relations Order and other relevant legislation. We remain committed to achieving racial equality here and want our legislation to be a model for other jurisdictions. Our 10-year strategy sets out an ambitious but achievable programme to take this forward. Clearly, this will be an extensive piece of work, and it is important that we have legislation that is thorough enough to meet current and future needs.”
“I thank the Member for his question. There is an onus on all of us to show support to our minority ethnic communities and our migrant workers. The majority of people in the North, as evidenced by the most recent life and times survey, want a welcoming, outward-looking and open society in which people feel a sense of belonging to this place. I stress that there is absolutely no place for racism in our society. People who have come to make their life here must be protected. <BR /> <BR />Just last week, junior Minister Ross and I attended the launch of the No Hate Here campaign in north Belfast, which was a PCSP initiative. That is an important example, because we are working hand in hand with the Department of Justice in developing a dedicated action plan as part of the community safety strategy to tackle hate crime.”
“<BR />Community involvement is particularly important when we are engaged in a process of community transformation and our work to build a better future, whether that be barrier removal, like that on the Crumlin Road earlier this year, or the huge participation across the North in our summer camps. Later this week, the Executive will host the Belfast launch of the Urban Villages framework, and I am sure that Members across the House will be welcome to attend to show their support for the initiative.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Executive's endorsement of the Urban Villages framework last week was hugely important and now allows Departments to work together in a truly collaborative way to deliver on that initiative. Engagement with communities is absolutely key, and the local reference groups have been key to advancing that. They have a function to keep all stakeholders updated on the progress of each of the projects. Experience shows us that we achieve better outcomes and better progress when we involve and engage with local people and allow them to be involved in decision-making, particularly when those decisions affect their everyday lives in their area. We are very committed to building on the foundation of community participation and on the momentum of T:BUC, which has really taken off in recent times.”
“<BR /> <BR />Urban Villages are part of a bigger strategy, and I look forward to support from all political representatives for every single headline commitment under T:BUC, and that includes barrier removal. I am very happy to speak to the Member about that as well.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Hopefully, by the end of this year, there will be a spend of £3·6 million in capital and £1·6 million in resource and in supporting local projects to enable each of the areas to get ready for the delivery of the overall Urban Village project. We hope that £300,000 will be spent in Ardoyne and Ballysillan, in particular, by the end of the current financial year. Some of the projects that are being considered in those areas are remedial works at the Crumlin Road and Ligoniel Road junction, a play park in the Glenbryn neighbourhood and improvements to the Marrowbone Millennium Park, such as landscaping and a play area, which will enhance service provision there. There are other works in Ballysillan Park, including new surfaces, planting, signage and public art.”
“<BR /> <BR />Work is also ongoing to shape community-based projects to enhance local partnerships and find better ways of working together. This year, in Ardoyne and Ballysillan, it will include a focus on initiatives supporting education and learning, women as community and peace builders and working with young people. Over the next four years, subject to final budget decisions, we expect a substantial programme of capital investment in Urban Villages, which would see in the region of £45 million in total delivered in partnership with other Departments and councils. Crucially, the strategic framework will help to align efforts by a range of stakeholders across all Urban Village areas and enable current and future investment to be delivered in more effective and sustainable ways.”
“Strategic frameworks for all five Urban Villages have been launched. These have been shaped by local communities and reflect their ambition to realise the full potential of the people and places where they live. The frameworks identify collaborative opportunities in each area and provide a road map for a comprehensive and joined-up approach by Departments and wider stakeholders to build community capacity, foster positive community identities and improve the physical environment. In Ardoyne and greater Ballysillan, this means a planned £300,000 investment in this financial year in a range of public realm and environmental improvements. This includes starting work on a new play park in the Glenbryn estate.”
“The summer camp applications were assessed by regional panels with local representatives, and the highest-quality applications were accepted for funding across each of the education and library boards in the district. The need for rural proofing was very much built in to designing this year's programme, and there is a rural impact statement available now on the Executive website with the detail of that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It has always been the intention that the summer camps would be regionally spread, and I know from my experience how important it is to give opportunities to rural communities. I have said many times before that it is not the case that rural communities do not experience community relations issues; it is just that they manifest themselves differently. <BR /> <BR />I visited a camp during the week in my area of South Armagh in Kingsmills, Silverbridge and Lislea. Some of those young people live 15 miles apart, and their experiences are very different from those of someone in Belfast or Derry. I am sure that the Member will be happy to know that there are three very successful camps in his area.”
“As I said before, a lot of the friendships have taken shape naturally, but, beyond that, I think that it is important that we put mechanisms in place.”
“The summer camps were based very much on a co-design approach, and young people were involved in the development of each stage to design it in accordance with what they felt would benefit them most. They were involved from the very beginning. It is important that we focus beyond the summer camps and put initiatives in place for our young people to maintain those friendships.”
“All of the summer camps were new. Summer camps were held in every one of the 18 Assembly constituencies, and positive feedback has been received on all of them. The summer camps were delivered in association with the Education Authority, and the districts were based on the old education and library board regions, so the summer camps were spread across the regions.”
“The Member mentioned the reunion event that we are holding next year, but, beyond that, it will be important for us to get some parental feedback to see if we can get a broader picture and try to make next year's programmes even better.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As I said, junior Minister Ross and I visited many of the camps, and it has been a hugely rewarding experience to engage with those young people and hear their views and get feedback about the friendships that they have made — friendships that have taken on a life of their own thanks to social media. The young people said that, perhaps, the residential part was the most rewarding for them, as they got to spend so much time together in a few days. Participation in the camps is evidence that young people and parents want to work together and want to build a better society based on friendship. <BR /> <BR />Last year's pilot showed us that 95% of young people made new friendships, and 85% of them wanted to stay in touch. We need to do everything that we can to facilitate that.”
“The young people involved demonstrated an appetite to take an active role in shaping our society. The summer camp programme allows young people to understand each other's perspectives and make new friendships. The programme is helping to create a shared society based on good relations and reconciliation. A reunion event will also be held in early 2017 that will bring all camp participants together and provide an opportunity to further develop friendships and celebrate achievements. I am delighted to be involved with this programme, which has provided an opportunity for our young people to get to know each other through new enjoyable and shared experiences.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer Questions 1 and 11 together. <BR /> <BR />A headline action under Together: Building a United Community was to develop a pilot programme consisting of 100 summer camps. This target was achieved with 101 summer camps delivered in 2015-16. The summer camp programme for 2016-17 opened for applications on 15 March 2016, and letters of offer were accepted by 103 groups. <BR /> <BR />Summer camps are about building positive relationships among young people aged from 11 to 19 on a cross-community basis. They represent an investment of £1·2 million by the Executive, and approximately 4,000 young people have participated in and benefited from programmes this year. Along with junior Minister Ross, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of camps.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I do not have the budgetary details with me, but I am more than happy to write to her. I will say, however, that, with the transfer of functions, 56 posts went from OFMDFM to other Departments.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The voluntary exit scheme resulted in a reduction of eight posts in the legacy Department, OFMDFM. The last person exited in tranche 4 at the end of March this year. All reductions were achieved prior to the formation of the Executive Office. In-year paybill savings realised as a result of the voluntary exit scheme amounted to £104,000, with ongoing anticipated annual savings of £336,000.”
“Structures and staffing levels in the Department are regularly reviewed to ensure that work is delivered in the most efficient and effective way possible.”
“I thank the Member for his question. There are no plans to reduce the numbers of special advisers in the Department. I take the Member's point, but, although the Executive Office is now more streamlined following the restructuring of Departments, it still covers a wide range of functions, and the work of Ministers has not reduced in the office. Much of our work also facilitates the business of the Executive and of other Ministers and their Departments. We remain a key strategic driver across the Executive, and that requires a lot of detailed work. <BR /> <BR />The Department continues to have responsibility for issues of significant political and cross-community interest, as well as for a number of key priority areas for the Executive.”
“As of 1 June 2016, the total number of staff employed by the Executive Office was 284.”
“Glacaim le hoifig Aire shóisearaigh sa Choiste Feidhmiúcháin. I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of junior Minister in the Executive Office, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer, although I do not accept that it is a toss-up between places and the way in which we change student support payments. Does he agree with me that the current system, whereby three payments are made over the course of the year, is not the best way forward?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. Is the practice of leaving removed material to the side still pertinent, and does it pose a further risk to the safety of our roads, given the recent flooding?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phriomh LeasChaeann Comhairle. I want to initially offer my congratulations to the Minister on her new role. I do not believe that I have had the opportunity to do so yet.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I hope that the Minister is happy with my supplementary. Will the Minister consider allocating some of the £160 million to reinstate the rural crime units so that we can more effectively tackle crimes against farmers in rural areas?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I am sure that the Minister is aware that the Finance Committee has had some constructive sessions with the hospitality sector and amateur clubs. In light of the Bill having been blocked, does she agree that there may be a compromise on the bars' issue, given that the sector is not averse to that? Will she pledge to work with the Committee on the issue?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he have concerns about noise levels in the vicinity of airports? When will we hear the findings of a public inquiry into this issue at Belfast City Airport?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answer so far. Will he encourage Tourism NI to work closely with Fáilte Ireland, which has recently launched a network of food champions across the South, on developing plans over the coming year?”
“I am getting there. To date, his predecessors have failed to tackle the recruitment problem that has been bubbling up in the health service.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. This is especially important, given the completely inadequate Ambulance Service cover that there has been in south Armagh. Recently, the south Armagh first responders were set up as a community innovation to tackle the problem, but the Health Minister needs to bring his own innovation to recruitment, and new and fresh —”
“The brain drain that politicians love to decry so much will not be solved by investing millions in call centres; they, among other things, are the cause of the brain drain. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the motion. I believe that subregional targets should be taken on board. Any steps taken to address regional imbalance in job creation must be outcome focused, and I hope to see a more collaborative approach to building our entire economy.”
“<BR /> <BR />Encouraging as it is to see such interest in our economy from overseas, I think that caution must be given to a reliance on FDI over the growth of our indigenous SMEs, which have been the backbone of our local economy for some time. We have seen the indigenous sector in the South of Ireland almost being sacrificed to appease multinationals. I do not think that we cannot allow that to happen. Investing in local sustainable growth and innovative approaches will be key to a successful economy in the long run. <BR /> <BR />Focus must also be given to the types of jobs that we are creating in regions. We have a really highly skilled, young and talented workforce, who need opportunities to develop at home.”
“Areas are being given responsibility for economic development but not really the resources and policy levers required to deliver it. Basically, it is responsibility without power. <BR /> <BR />Initiatives that focus specifically on the disadvantaged area are important, but we must not ignore the operation of the mainstream economy, which is actually what produces and reproduces patterns of inequality. We need a new approach, and we need to focus on structural change that complements the targeted initiatives. We need fiscal powers so that we can deliver a transformation in economic policy and performance. A more progressive tax system, a living wage for all and a focus on the economic inequality between the rich and poor will go a long way to addressing regional imbalances that exist.”
“Given the prevalence of the border in everyday life, solutions to this must be cross-border in nature. <BR /> <BR />The island-wide economy generates £3 billion annually, with significant potential for growth. There are already some cross-border initiatives that can be built upon. I believe that InterTradeIreland must be supported in its work — and it has made such a difference in my area — as should Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Louth County Council's memorandum of understanding. <BR /> <BR />Targeted and sustained action over a period of time from both Governments, North and South, could make a real difference to the lives of citizens in the border region. However, these area-based initiatives will only go so far towards a solution. They play an important role but are incapable of transforming the local economy on their own.”
“Historical lack of investment has ensured that the border region suffers higher levels of unemployment, emigration, deprivation and stunted economic growth.”
“The motion refers to the need for infrastructure and telecommunications, and I cannot stress enough how important it is that we ensure that broadband is available to everybody. In my own area of south Armagh, it is crazy that a local construction firm takes hours to download a simple tender document due to poor connections. So, it is important that we invest seriously in improving broadband provision and address "not spots" across the North. <BR /> <BR />People and businesses in the border corridor, including those in my area of Newry and Armagh, face a unique set of circumstances. The response to that must be tailored to those needs. The Minister should seriously consider the proposal of a border development zone.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. The Member almost made it sound as though Marxist theory was a bad thing, but I will not get into that. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. As we have heard, economic imbalances are particularly evident west of the Bann, in unionist and nationalist communities in north and west Belfast, and along the border corridor, which will be the main focus of my remarks. It is important that we recognise levels of regional economic imbalance, and it is welcome that the Programme for Government commits to tackling this problem. However, we have to ask how effective the actions taken have been. <BR /> <BR />In 2010, 29·7% of the North's gross value added was in Belfast. In 2013, that had increased to 31·4%, which suggests a further concentration of economic activity in Belfast.”
“I am looking forward to the report on the operation and results of the Bill in less that two years' time, and to see how we can learn from and improve on that. We have all been frustrated at one point by the silo mentality of government. I am hoping that this Bill will change mindsets in that regard. I would like to see the roll-out of this collaborative approach to other important areas of government such as job creation, economic growth and tackling poverty, as others mentioned. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to support the Bill and glad to have played a part. Again, I congratulate Steven. It is a good day for our families and children, and a well-deserved win for the children's sector. I also welcome the new junior Minister to the Chamber.”
“I am sure that we all received a letter from CiNI outlining its support for the Bill and giving a real-life example of how this Bill could have helped a girl many years ago. That shows us the importance of putting the interests of our children first. I welcome the fact that the Bill will make existing good practice in cooperation normal practice — or common practice, as Steven Agnew put it. We achieve our best results when working together. In a political sense, yesterday's result shows that. <BR /> <BR />A lot more work has to be done on this Bill, because a few issues could not be resolved in time for each stage. I am more than happy to continue to work with Mr Agnew and whoever within the children's sector or the House to progress those issues and make this the best Bill possible in the future.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I start by congratulating Steven Agnew for all his hard work in bringing this important piece of legislation forward. It has been a long road and a lot of hard work by a lot of people, as he said. He mentioned that it was four years since the beginning of the Bill. It is a win for him and for the children's sector today. I regret that I was not able to be here for Further Consideration Stage. I thank my colleagues for moving my amendment about the Programme for Government. I am pleased that it was passed. <BR /> <BR />This is a good Bill. It will have a great impact on society and the lives of our families and children.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he outline what actions he intends to take in the near future around removing barriers to cross-border student mobility and exploring what barriers exist?”
“It is an important first step in changing mindsets and breaking down the silo mentality that I am sure everyone in the Chamber has been frustrated with at one point or another. I would like the roll-out of this collaborative approach to be extended to other areas, such as job creation and tackling poverty, as it ensures that the outcome is kept to the fore of each Department's decision-making process. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin will support the amendments, with the exception of amendment No 5, which will not be moved. I congratulate Steven Agnew on the Bill, and we hope to see the positive impact that it is capable of having in the near future.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 6, which deals with reporting, is the last amendment that I will address, as the rest are pretty self-explanatory. A report must be produced every three years detailing actions taken and progress gained on the agreed outcomes, as well as identifying further opportunities for cooperation and good practice, which Steven mentioned. That is an important part of the Bill. I am aware that some may have wanted annual reports, but I believe that the nature of reporting and the actions behind those reports are much more important than their frequency. <BR /> <BR />Overall, with the amendments, this is a good Bill that will make a positive contribution to our society and, most importantly, to the lives of children and young people.”