Bronwyn McGahan
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Towards the end of last year, I requested a research paper, which provided shocking new statistics on domestic violence in my constituency during 2014-15.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I wish to recommend the adoption of the Committee's report on justice in the 21st century, while taking the opportunity to echo the Committee's encouragement for the next Committee of Justice to build on the strong foundations that have been laid for collaboration between those working…”
“These include the police, social services, healthcare staff, Women's Aid, Victim Support, lawyers and judges. <BR /> <BR />The Derry pilot scheme points to one positive development that, if implemented, could make an important difference in the support of victims.”
“<BR /> <BR />I agree with the key principles contained in the Committee's report in relation to collaboration and innovation, which continue to provide opportunities for innovative thinking and creative approaches to the many challenges that will be faced, while ensuring progress on the recommendations that are contained in the report.”
“The newspaper's front-page feature was followed by a full-page story on page 10, which started by giving the appalling statistics that the PSNI responds to calls about domestic violence abuse every 20 minutes, before telling us that, last year alone in the North, six murders had a "domestic abuse motivation", while there were almost 3,000…”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. He will appreciate that, at the centre of this, is a group of older and vulnerable people, who are confused and concerned about their future. What rural proofing and equality impact assessments have been carried out to date?”
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“<BR /> <BR />Finally, it is important that all measures that help to tackle this scourge on our society are allowed to move forward without further delay.”
“These include the police, social services, healthcare staff, Women's Aid, Victim Support, lawyers and judges. <BR /> <BR />The Derry pilot scheme points to one positive development that, if implemented, could make an important difference in the support of victims. In Derry, domestic violence cases are all heard by a single judge on a particular day of the month, in a specialist listing, with much-needed specialist support and arrangements made to ensure that victims and alleged attackers do not see each other before hearings. This pilot scheme needs to be adopted and mainstreamed across the north. This would, hopefully, encourage more victims to stick with the process of justice. We have fed this into our recommendations in the report.”
“Towards the end of last year, I requested a research paper, which provided shocking new statistics on domestic violence in my constituency during 2014-15. They showed that the police were called to 656 incidents of that nature in Dungannon and south Tyrone over the course of the previous 12 months, which amounted to almost two incidents every day. The figures paint a worrying picture of the prevalence of violence in the home, whether it is against a partner, a child or any family member. It gives me no pleasure, on International Women's Day, to have to state the obvious: tackling this massive problem will be no easy matter. We must commit to further supporting all the agencies and NGOs that are involved in dealing with abusive relationships.”
“However, fewer than 20% of an average 350 non-molestation orders breached every year result in prison sentences. The newspaper also reported:”
“The newspaper's front-page feature was followed by a full-page story on page 10, which started by giving the appalling statistics that the PSNI responds to calls about domestic violence abuse every 20 minutes, before telling us that, last year alone in the North, six murders had a "domestic abuse motivation", while there were almost 3,000 cases of sexual offences including 737 rapes. <BR /> <BR />We were also informed that domestic abuse now accounts for:”
“and it was mentioned that they could be rolled out across the North "within weeks". The proposal follows a two-year pilot scheme in Derry in which all cases involving domestic violence were:”
“<BR /> <BR />I agree with the key principles contained in the Committee's report in relation to collaboration and innovation, which continue to provide opportunities for innovative thinking and creative approaches to the many challenges that will be faced, while ensuring progress on the recommendations that are contained in the report. <BR /> <BR />This morning, one of our regional newspapers, 'The Irish News', put a front-page focus on a proposal for domestic violence courts. Those were described as:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I wish to recommend the adoption of the Committee's report on justice in the 21st century, while taking the opportunity to echo the Committee's encouragement for the next Committee of Justice to build on the strong foundations that have been laid for collaboration between those working in the various aspects of the criminal justice system. <BR /> <BR />I also want to take the opportunity to thank the Chair, the Committee and the Committee Clerk and her officials for all their hard work on the report. I, too, am a relative newcomer to the Committee and I have enjoyed the Committee very much in the short time that I have been there. It has a very heavy workload, so fair play to everybody.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. He will appreciate that, at the centre of this, is a group of older and vulnerable people, who are confused and concerned about their future. What rural proofing and equality impact assessments have been carried out to date?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her response. Has her Department, in planning for this very important matter, given consideration to the Employment Bill that is currently making its way through the House and which was amended in relation to the gender pay gap and disclosure of information?”
“<BR /> <BR />I recommend the adoption of this much-awaited report.”
“A section of the report reviews the legislation that governs the transition process in the North, and that was included to help underpin the statutory duties on the Executive and Departments. However, it was also included because the Committee emphasised that, if it felt it necessary, it was willing to bring forward legislation to change or strengthen current legislation. <BR /> <BR />I echo the call by the Accessing Support, Provision, Inclusion, Respect and Equality (ASPIRE) group in Dungannon for us to deal with transport issues between towns that prevent young people from safely accessing opportunities in neighbouring towns. Again, there is a need for transport that is escorted, door-to-door and flexible if the most vulnerable individuals are to be afforded a degree of independence in travel.”
“The Committee critically examined post-SEN provision in the North, including consideration of the current policies, programmes and opportunities available for those with learning difficulties leaving education, with particular focus on those with moderate and severe learning disabilities, as per the SEN category. The Committee has made recommendations where appropriate on how policies, procedures and practice can be improved in order to maximise opportunities to support the transition from education for those with learning disabilities and to alleviate the worry and concern of their family. <BR /> <BR />The report, which is before us for adoption today, recommends:”
“It pointed to the need for the provision of good-quality services to take account of coterminosity. It stated that Dungannon currently sits in the South West College area with Enniskillen, Omagh and Cookstown. However, for education, health and transport, it is located in the Southern Trust area. That has major implications, in that, even if Omagh were available — it is not, owing to distance — for vulnerable people to travel to, the transport provision would not be accessible across that boundary area. <BR /> <BR />In the section of the report dealing with the transition process, it is stated:”
“There is a need for transport that is escorted, door-to-door and flexible if the most vulnerable individuals are to be afforded a degree of independence in travel. <BR /> <BR />In their submissions, the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) and the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) made reference to barriers and possible barriers to participation for key stakeholders. Those included the lack of independent travel skills, transport provision and funding issues, especially given the rural nature of the SELB and WELB areas. Community transport schemes are in place but are heavily oversubscribed. <BR /> <BR />Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, as it was then known, dealt in its submission with the important issue of boundaries and coterminosity.”
“I especially welcomed the opportunity to attend evidence sessions and study visits, including at Sperrinview and Parkanaur College, Dungannon. <BR /> <BR />Having critically examined post-school provision in the North and given consideration to the current policies, programmes and opportunities for those with learning difficulties on leaving education, I wish to focus my comments on the important element of transport provision. Transport should be based on the rural community transport model and be able to cross areas, such as from Cookstown to Dungannon or Dungannon to Armagh. At present, transport issues between those towns prevent young people from safely accessing opportunities in neighbouring towns.”
“A LeasCheann Comhairle, I thank you for the opportunity to address the House on the report. I thank the Chair, staff and other Committee members. I am pleased to recommend the report for adoption. I am also pleased to have been involved in most of its development, especially through meetings with stakeholders and the formulation of the recommendations with the help of advocates for those with learning disabilities and their families who, once their child leaves full-time education where they have had long-term support, find themselves with very little help and few options. I am immensely proud of the role played by Sperrinview Special School, Dungannon and others in the inquiry and thank them for their advice and guidance.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. What damage does he feel would result from an exit from the EU?”
“The strategy and action plan will be important in addressing the gender pay gap, and only by getting accurate and detailed information from employers on the extent of the gender pay gap and the rationale behind it can the relevant action be taken to correct the situation. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 25 and 28 are consequential to that amendment and make minor changes to the Bill, including changing the long title to reflect the additionality of gender pay to the Bill. As we approach the celebration of International Women's Day in a few weeks' time, dealing with these matters would be a welcome step in addressing the gender pay gap, which has yet to be abolished 46 years after the introduction of the Equal Pay Act.”
“Campaign groups advocating action on the gender pay gap support the need for accurate information on the scale of the problem to allow it to be addressed. That information needs to be of sufficient depth to shine a light on the main causes of the pay gap, and it will need to be shared with employees and trade union representatives. It must very clearly show how the pay gap is calculated and include an action plan on how we can correct it. <BR /> <BR />It will be the responsibility of OFMDFM, as the lead on equality matters, to bring forward regulations within the time frame. There will also be a requirement on the Department to publish a strategy, including an action plan, on eliminating differences in the pay of male and female employees.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I support all the amendments in group 1. I want to specifically speak to amendment No 4. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this important issue of gender pay and disclosure of information. I am going to be very short in my comments, as the argument for addressing the issue has been well rehearsed over many years. There is no doubt that gender pay reflects ongoing discrimination and inequalities in the workplace and that those largely impact on women. We must have information relating to the pay of employees for the purposes of showing whether there are differences in the pay of males and females. We must also have the details of the methodology used to calculate any statistics in the information.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response so far. In the context of the Big Conversation, does the Minister acknowledge the absolute importance of part-time higher education and the significant impact that it has on the lives of individuals, in particular women, in providing opportunities?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her response. Does the Minister agree with me that, following the capital funding for the A5 and the A6, it is vital that this bypass becomes a priority?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Does he find it most concerning that Criminal Justice Inspection has stated that there has been a loss of momentum in the implementation of the recommendations of the youth justice review?”
“As our region has a high proportion of low-skilled citizens, which, no doubt, has an impact on the strength of our labour market as well as the wider economy, and with the North having high levels of economic inactivity, the Fresh Start Agreement commitment to tackle economic inactivity is most welcome. <BR /> <BR />I will conclude by pledging to continue to keep an eye on the roll-out of the Department's policies. At all times, we must work to ensure equality for section 75 groupings. Given that the right-wing Tory Government in London have slashed our block grant, we must ensure that there is no differential impact on section 75 groups.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important that the strategic aim of the Youth Employment Scheme 2014-2020 to combat poverty and enhance social inclusion by reducing economic inactivity while increasing the skills of those currently in work and future potential participants in the workforce needs to be fully met. The Big Conversation is still being held at the behest of the Minister for Employment and Learning, Mr Stephen Farry, in an attempt to address the funding shortfalls in skills development and employment. We must ensure that a new funding model is developed that is not only sustainable but fair for everyone. Skills development must be central to any future economic model.”
“Any new Department must have a fully functioning network of research experts to help businesses and researchers successfully compete for funding from Horizon 2020, the European Union's flagship research and innovation programme. Funding drawn down via the cross-border INTERREG programme in support of research and innovation activity must seek to facilitate growth in the number of SMEs across our region that engage in research and innovation activity on a collaborative basis, complemented with support that is focused on increased cross-border or, indeed, competence building with the life and health sciences and renewable energy sectors.”
“Our further and higher education sectors must be able to avail themselves of the skills barometer to plan for future provision, given tightened budgets. <BR /> <BR />At this point, I want to again address the need for expansion of the higher education offering at the Magee campus of the University of Ulster as an essential driver for social change in the north-west. This important issue needs to be properly addressed once and for all. <BR /> <BR />In relation to European Union funding, the renewed and concentrated focus on research and innovation, while enhancing the competitiveness of local SME businesses via the 2014-2020 Investment for Growth and Jobs programme, is much needed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Everyone will notice that most of the strategies I have mentioned contain the word "success". For our Executive and political institutions to be successful in delivering social change when dealing with the real needs of our community, the capital DEL allocation must support the Department's activities and projects across a number of investment measures. The allocation must provide funding for continual investment in higher and further education, and I welcome the new resources that are being made available for skills in the new Department for the Economy. The proposed new Department must utilise the skills barometer that was published last November to underpin all economic models.”
“The challenges that need to be met by a new Department for the Economy include the championing of economic, social and personal development by providing relevant, high-quality learning, research and skills; increasing collaboration between business, higher education, further education and the public sector; addressing the widening higher education funding gap; the implementation of the new youth training strategy, 'Generating our Success'; the continued delivery of the higher education strategy, 'Graduating to Success'; the implementation of the new employer-led apprenticeship strategy; the implementation of a refresh strategy for the further education sector; and the continued delivery of the European social fund and secure investment for more world-class businesses.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Thank you for the opportunity to address the House on the important issue of the Budget 2016-17. I take the opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his new role. I speak here as an MLA. <BR /> <BR />As a proactive member of the Employment and Learning Committee with a keen interest in achieving long-term economic growth for our rural communities as well as the urban centres, I welcome the commitment in the Budget to meet challenges that have been identified as key issues and challenges.”
“I apologise, Mr Deputy Speaker; you will have to pass me.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his responses so far. I ask him for an update on his efforts to attract more females to study STEM subjects and take up employment in that sector.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I, too, take the opportunity to wish the Minister good luck in her new role. When will the racial equality subgroup be established and what is its role?”
“Those participants benefit significantly from obtaining legal advice from counsel, but they correctly stated that the provision of free advice — or pro bono — cannot replace or fill the gaps created by the lack of legal aid for claimants who need assistance in this area. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the review of employment law must be about resolving issues in a fair, proportionate and just manner.”
“They state that that is a problem for the large number of unrepresented litigants in the system, as there is a need to ensure that the process is understandable and easy to navigate. They believe that the Bill does not do enough to ensure that that is the case. One of the individuals whom we met from the Bar Council suggested that seven out of 10 cases that he dealt with were unrepresented litigants. That is quite high, and we should delve into it a wee bit more. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was also informed that members of the Bar already provided advice to professionals and lay clients on a pro bono basis, including on employment-related disputes for those who cannot afford the legal help that they need.”
“They also take the view that the early conciliation processes, as drafted in the Bill, are unnecessarily complex and unduly procedurally difficult and presuppose a familiarity with the rules that a non-lawyer would not possess. The Bar also informed us earlier that it is supportive of efforts to encourage conciliation and that it does not believe that the provisions for early conciliation in the Bill are coherent or clear for all users of the tribunal system. They are of the opinion that there is significant potential for ambiguity and misunderstanding that the Department must address. <BR /> <BR />Welcoming the Bill, the Bar Council believes that there is a need for the Department to provide further scope and clarity on the operation of early consultation and neutral assessment.”
“<BR /> <BR />During a meeting earlier with the Bar Council, Committee members were made aware of a number of its concerns, including the issue of how early conciliation will work in practice. They query how potential claimants will become aware of the new process. That represents an additional hurdle for anyone navigating the tribunal process, particularly unrepresented litigants. The Bar Council stated that the new approach also creates the potential for time delays, given the interface between early conciliation and the tribunal system, with claimants likely to require further guidance on the amount of time that will be dedicated to satisfying the requirement for early conciliation.”
“While there are many benefits regarding early conciliation, an opportunity for settlement, time saving and reductions in cost, there are some areas of concern, such as unrepresented litigants and issues regarding the need for a certificate from LRA before proceeding to tribunal. Related to an early conciliation process is neutral assessment, which enables persons in a dispute to get an assessment by LRA of where they stand with the provision of an early evaluation of the case. While it has been identified that the tribunal system is more legislative and adversarial, I note the concerns raised by the Law Centre regarding a lack of availability of personal legal advice for claimants, which is a key access to justice issue and is important for early conciliation.”
“It is worth noting that, in a presentation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, it was mentioned that the review of employment law should primarily be about preventing the abuse of workers by employers. The review of employment law is not necessarily just about increasing the availability of jobs or employment opportunities: a strong and recurring theme identified during evidence-gathering sessions was the need to have a model that works rather than being a barrier to accessing justice. <BR /> <BR />I agree that a review needs to be built in and suggest that it needs to be done annually.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Second Stage of the Employment Bill. With the review of employment law having been ongoing for the past three years, with intensive consultation, engagement with stakeholders and presentations, as well as Committee discussions, I take the opportunity to thank the Committee Clerks, the Committee staff, the Minister for Employment and Learning and all his staff for their hard work. <BR /> <BR />I support the main objective of the Bill: the promotion of the early resolution of disputes without going to tribunals, which can often be not only stressful but very expensive. As was stated during evidence sessions, it is about having a framework that is fair and balanced for employment.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement and commend him for his efforts. In his statement, he identifies the promotion of the FE sector as one of his themes. The skills barometer report published in November 2015 identified that one of the issues that impacts on the image of the FE sector could be linked to its breadth of provision. How will the Minister help to address that problem within the context of this theme?”
“<BR /> <BR />I call on the Minister of Justice and the Chief Constable to speedily and effectively deal with all the issues raised in the report, while giving serious attention to the growing problem of rural crime.”
“They can't tackle the problem." We need to break down that mentality. We need evidence that the PSNI is tackling this crime effectively. The issue of the under-reporting of rural crime, for whatever reason, needs to be explored and dealt with. <BR /> <BR />Mr Mitchell also mentioned a BBC News report that there had been a 15% increase in rural crime across the North. We were told that this figure is growing as organised criminal gangs are securing greater profit from livestock than the distribution and sale of illegal drugs. The effects of rural crime in agribusinesses have severe implications, emotional and financial, for farm families, who are the backbone of our rural economy. This is due to the fact that most agribusinesses are home-based. The crime has a significant impact on their homes and families as well as their livelihoods.”
“The other costs of business were recently outlined by Wilfred Mitchell of the Federation of Small Businesses. The cost of rural crime remains the highest. The National Farmers' Union estimated that, last year, its cost to the local economy was £3·9 million, which is up from £3·4 million in 2012. As agribusiness is a major contributor to our economy, we need to take seriously and put in place plans to deal with the serious problem of rural crime. Mr Mitchell also informed us that the FSB analysis of rural and urban businesses revealed that urban businesses are more likely to report crime than rural businesses, with 47% of urban businesses reporting crime compared with 40·5% of rural businesses. Very recently, I spoke to a farmer who had sheep stolen. I asked him whether he reported it and he said, "What's the point? They can't do anything.”
“<BR /> <BR />If this rate of crime were being perpetrated against some of our biggest financial institutions or commercial businesses, more attention would be given to tackling it. We need to shine a spotlight on rural crime and, in particular, theft from our small family farms. Policing operations on the prevention of rural crime need to be enhanced. The staffing complement that the rural crime unit was given was insufficient. No stone must be left unturned in our fight against rural crime. Farm families in south Tyrone and elsewhere have enough everyday business dilemmas to face without needing to deal with heavy financial losses due to rural crimes and farm thefts. <BR /> <BR />The level of rural crime in the North of Ireland rose by 15% in 2014, according to a survey conducted by the National Farmers' Union.”
“It is deeply concerning that these crimes are going virtually undetected, despite the PSNI reportedly having set up a dedicated farm crime unit nearly two years ago. I am concerned that, unless we put more resources into tackling crime against farmers, the amount of cattle-rustling and theft of expensive machinery will continue to rise. The Minister of Justice and the Chief Constable need to inform us of what they plan to do in the absence of the PSNI's rural crime unit, which had a very brief existence. They need to inform us of what resources and level of police operational capacity are being given to address this issue and of what can be done to increase their effectiveness and create a deterrent to the criminals who, at the moment, believe that they can operate with impunity.”
“These figures, however, do not include the theft of vehicles or other property that is not connected directly to farming. That could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
“I want to major on rural crime, which is covered in the report and is an issue that I have been highlighting over the past number of years, given its prevalence in the south Tyrone part of my constituency. There is no let-up in the number of crimes being perpetuated against the local farming community. I come from a farming family myself, and this situation deeply concerns me. The figures for the first three months of this year show that, in my constituency in south Tyrone, £140,000 of livestock and farm machinery have been stolen.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Thank you for the opportunity to address this important report and support the call on the Minister of Justice to work with the Chief Constable to address the issues highlighted in the report in a comprehensive and speedy way.”