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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“That commitment needs to be made a reality for all our citizens <BR /> <BR />As I have already reported in the Chamber this week, someone in my community recently lost another 13 or 14 cattle, worth £15,000. They were stolen between Aughnacloy and Caledon in south Tyrone. It gave me no satisfaction to learn from our Justice Minister that the rural crime unit has been allowed to dissolve due to budget cuts, which we know emanate from the pro-austerity decisions of Tory Ministers in London. We need to be granted a workable Budget to ensure that our society's needs in all aspects of our economic, social and cultural life can be met. Public safety is a key concern for many vulnerable citizens. <BR /> <BR />There must be more training on how to tackle rural crime for our neighbourhood police officers.”
“<BR /> <BR />As for the removal of the TSG from Fermanagh, I want to take the opportunity to make the case for its replacement to be met by a policing initiative that firmly takes into account the need to tackle rural crime in a robust manner. Whilst many concerns have been expressed in relation to the functioning of the TSG, we need local police officers to be trained up in practices that effectively tackle crime in our communities in all of its manifestations, in a manner that is compliant with a human rights framework. Good neighbourhood police officers are the first in line in a good policing operation in all districts. Delivering personal, professional and protective policing to the people of the North was a commitment made by former Chief Constable Matt Baggott in his foreword to the Policing with the Community 2020 strategy.”
“A large part of my work as a public representative has been to bring about a new beginning to policing, as envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement. As we know from international studies, policing needs to be about more than just the police. Delivering accountable policing with the community — I stress the phrase "with the community" — puts focus on many issues, including quality of life, community justice, public safety and freedom from fear and intimidation. Our work in Sinn Féin is about advancing a new beginning to policing, firmly based on the concept of policing with the community. It is about law and policy, and it is about the PSNI networking and engaging with the community to gather intelligence, as the Member said, which is vital. Our role is to support good policing and to hold to account bad policing.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I welcome the opportunity to speak in today's debate on the removal of the TSGs from Fermanagh, and I thank the Member for bringing forward the debate.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement and commend his efforts in this important area of work. It has been mentioned that one of the biggest issues that we hear about, particularly from the post-19 special educational needs sector, is that there is simply nowhere to go. Will the Minister elaborate on how proposals in the strategy will improve partnership working and achieve paid employment outcomes? Will targets be specific and measurable?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Given the prevalence of rural crime and just after a week that saw another 13 cattle stolen in an area between Aughnacloy and Caledon, which, yet again, had a devastating impact on a farming family, and given that it appears that the contract for the data analyst post in the rural crime unit has not been renewed, will the Minister give serious consideration to renewing that important role?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I welcome the statement, in particular the emphasis on the need for change in the culture of how we address crime prevention and the need to move to a multi-agency approach that requires a collaborative, strategic response. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you quite rightly identified that housing and employment factors do not fall within your remit. Therefore, as Minister, have you given any consideration to, for example, the crime and disorder reduction partnerships in England and Wales, which have been established on a statutory footing and involve joint-working arrangements through collaborative partnerships between public-sector partners and other bodies?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Given that one of the aims of the childcare strategy is to promote the development of children in their own right, how will those of unemployed parents be catered for in the strategy?”
“<BR /> <BR />I conclude my comments by calling on all citizens to study the proposals contained in the proposed childcare strategy and make submissions. In particular, I call on rural dwellers to study the strategy and make their concerns known in their responses. <BR /> <BR />For parents living in rural communities, accessibility to first-class childcare provision is an important issue, just as affordability is. Rural childcare provision must be central to any OFMDFM strategy being rolled out, and there need to be specific targets.”
“<BR /> <BR />With all of this in mind, I call on the First Minister, the deputy First Minister and the junior Ministers, as well as the Ministers of Education, Agriculture and Health to work together with relevant networks and organisations to examine ways in which provision could be improved in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency and similar areas. They must explore existing facilities and activities for children and increase accessibility and affordability. Again, I commit to working with all the Ministers in examining this important matter further. The provision of rural childcare must be central to the OFMDFM childcare strategy that is out for consultation, and the draft strategy must address the gap in nought-to-four-year-old provision. We cannot ignore it.”
“That, coupled with the fact that no new childminders are coming on board, has presented a worrying trend in that rural area. <BR /> <BR />In the 2014 report, the area of provision where there was the greatest level of unmet need was after-school care. Some 21% of all parents interviewed stated that they would like greater access to after-school care, and, on average, they would like to use it for nine hours per week, compared to an average current usage of six hours per week. From research that I have obtained, it is apparent that there is considerable lack of after-school care in south Tyrone; yet it is estimated that, if 19% of all children in the North of Ireland aged four to 14 were provided with a place in after-school care, over 6,000 jobs would be created in the childcare sector.”
“In south Tyrone, there is a grand total of at least one crèche, if not two, five out-of-school programmes and three two-year-old programmes. There is also a limited number of playgroups, amounting to just 20. For a sizeable area, that is astounding, and how it is feasible has to be questioned. <BR /> <BR />Drilling down further, and based on information provided by NICMA and forwarded to me by a childcare practitioner who works in this field in the Clogher Valley district — and who was in correspondence with me, the local MLA, over recent days — I have been informed that there has been a total loss of 65 places across all five wards. This equates to the loss of 31 under-five-year-old and 34 over-five-year-old places in Augher, Clogher, Fivemiletown, Ballygawley and Aughnacloy.”
“<BR /> <BR />In a response to a recent Assembly research question that I placed, I was informed that, in the majority of communities in south Tyrone, there are between 574 and 1,484 persons aged nought to 15 years, the age bracket that would avail itself of childcare. However, from constituents' experience, the childcare provision in place is far from adequate to cater for that number. A report carried out in 2014 revealed that, whilst there are 60,621 under-15-year-olds in the Western Trust area, there are only 632 registered childcare providers. That leaves 96 children per childminder. The Southern Trust area is worse again, with 76,342 under-15-year-olds, which leaves the number of children per childminder at a staggering 129.”
“<BR /> <BR />Parents who work in low-paid jobs can face real difficulties in affording quality childcare. Without help, many families can face untenable choices of not working or leaving their children in unsafe, unstable or poor-quality arrangements. Affordable, quality childcare can help parents so that they can go to work to support their family. <BR /> <BR />Learning begins at birth, and the earliest years in a child's life are the most critical for building foundational cognitive, social and emotional skills and patterns of engagement in school and learning. Studies show that children who attend high-quality early-learning programmes, including high-quality childcare, are more likely to do well in school, find good jobs, have fewer interactions with the justice system and have greater earnings as adults than those who do not.”
“Access to high-quality childcare and early education not only promotes a child's development but gives much-needed support to parents who are struggling to balance work and family obligations. A safe environment that enriches children's development is critical to working families and is one of the best investments that we can make in our economy. Ensuring that children have access to high-quality and affordable early childhood programmes can help children to prepare for school and succeed in later life, while strengthening the parents' ability to go to work, advance their careers and increase their earning potential. International research shows that money spent on young children is an effective investment, yielding benefits immediately to parents and, for many decades to come, to the children.”
“<BR /> <BR />When I put questions to our Minister of Agriculture, Michelle O'Neill, in relation to the progression of Bright Start actions in my constituency, she said:”
“As a mother who has raised her daughter in a rural community, I am only too aware of the challenges faced when trying to source quality childcare locally. <BR /> <BR />Childcare has an important role to play in helping to sustain rural communities. Parents need access to childcare so that they can make the most of the opportunities for employment, training or helping to support voluntary or community activities. Employers need childcare so that they can attract and retain a skilled and committed workforce. Children need facilities that help them to develop and integrate in a pleasant and safe environment, but the positive effects on all of society are that first-class provision of childcare helps parents into work and moves families out of poverty by helping to break the cycle of intergenerational deprivation.”
“Those are not the words of a militant feminist; they are the words of President Obama in his State of the Union address at the start of this year. His words are also applicable to our society and especially to those of us living in rural communities. <BR /> <BR />At the outset of my contribution on this important issue, I would like to place on record my deep appreciation at being given the opportunity to shine a particular spotlight on rural childcare provision in the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency. <BR /> <BR />We are only too aware of the benefits that quality, affordable and reliable childcare bring to rural communities. It is no less important to rural parents and children than those in towns.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his statement. Has he given any consideration to what steps he can take to protect people from the most disadvantaged backgrounds who will be affected by this disinvestment in higher education?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Will the Minister elaborate on the discussions that have taken place at North/South Ministerial Council level to address rural crime?”
“Go raibh maith agat. What work has been done on the issue of redress for victims and survivors of institutional abuse?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his comprehensive statement. How will the needs of young people with disabilities be integrated into a system that starts at level 2?”
“Go raibh maith agat. What indications were discussed at the meeting for the future direction and working of the British-Irish Council?”
“It is clear that a lack of careers advice and support for academic researchers can affect women disproportionately. Higher education institutions should encourage mentoring, support networks and seminars at the research group level and monitor that practice. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the promotion of STEM subjects is a key plank of our economy's prosperity, and we need to do more to inspire our students, including females, to study science. Go raibh maith agat.”
“<BR /> <BR />Recommendations in the report commissioned in Britain also call for diversity and equality training, including unconscious bias training, to be provided to all STEM undergraduates and postgraduates by their higher education institution.”
“It is disappointing that biases and working practices result in systemic and cumulative discrimination against women throughout STEM study and academic careers. <BR /> <BR />The inquiry in Britain found that scientists are susceptible to the same unconscious gender bias as the rest of the population, and it is unfortunate that some are unwilling to accept this simply because professional research requires them to be objective. As employers of academic STEM researchers, our universities and higher education institutions and secondary schools have ultimate responsibility for employment conditions and the greatest obligation to improve STEM careers for all researchers. More standardisation is required across the higher education sector.”
“Comments such as Sir Tim's set back all the good work that is being done in our schools to promote STEM and gender equality. <BR /> <BR />While the problem of, and solutions to, gender imbalance in STEM have long been identified, more needs to be actively done to improve the situation. Careers should not be constructed in a way that deters talented women from remaining and progressing in STEM. Women remain under-represented at senior levels across every discipline. The gender imbalance in STEM is caused by a range of factors, and while it is commendable that an emphasis is placed on inspiring young women to choose STEM subjects, such efforts are wasted if women continue to be disproportionately disadvantaged in STEM subjects in comparison with men.”
“The most relevant government strategies are Success through STEM and the gender equality strategy. Success through STEM contains 20 recommendations, one of which pertains to the issue of gender imbalance. <BR /> <BR />It is with much regret that I find myself having to comment on the headline-grabbing and dire comments of Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Tim Hunt who only days ago felt that he had to share with us his trouble with girls. His comments were reported as typical of the lack of self-awareness by men in places of influence in STEM fields, which reinforces subtle sexist stereotypes and behaviour. Dr Jennifer Rohn, a cell biologist at University College London, was correct when she told the BBC that as a Nobel laureate:”
“I also support the motion. I thank the Member for bringing the motion to the House. Recently, I was successful in having a motion adopted by this Assembly expressing concern that men outnumber women by nearly three to one in high-level science, technology, engineering and mathematics posts. There can be no doubt that our economy needs more skilled scientists and engineers, and that need will not be met unless greater efforts are made to retain women in STEM careers. 'Addressing Gender Balance', a report published in 2013, identified that, while high-level STEM posts constituted over 11% of the workforce, men outnumbered women by nearly three to one in those roles. In the North of Ireland, we do not have a strategy that specifically addresses the issue of women and gender imbalance in STEM careers.”
“Go raibh maith agat. What discussions took place regarding the efforts to resume the A5 project?”
“Go raibh maith agat. The Minister has already touched on this, but does she agree with me that the strategy needs to be put in place as soon as possible?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. What engagements have you had with South West College regarding post-19 special educational needs in Fermanagh and South Tyrone?”
“I thank the Minister for his responses so far. What initiatives has he taken with employers in the childcare sector to encourage participation in the Steps 2 Success programme?”
“<BR /> <BR />I will conclude by paying tribute to all carers and calling for full recognition of their right to appropriate support. Age-appropriate respite care for our young adults with severe learning needs, which also provides them with stimulating and engaging activities, tops the list of social demands from my constituents in south Tyrone. In the spirit of the forthcoming Carers Week, let us play our part by helping to build carer-friendly communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />As legislators, now is the time for us to come together on a cross-party basis, as a united Assembly and one voice, to demand that the British Tory Party, which has assumed the role of a single-party Government in Britain, makes available an appropriate block grant that enables us to tailor economic and social policy, not only to protect essential front-line services such as age-appropriate respite care for young adults with learning difficulties but to enhance the range of post-19 provision for such young adults. We must rigorously investigate and advance, if deemed appropriate, the range of measures that the Post 19 Lobby Group said would help to deal with the challenges posed in securing a happy, fulfilled and stimulating adulthood for these young people.”
“As part of the survey that shaped the report, people were asked about the impact of caring on health and whether there had been occasions when caring arrangements had broken down because of the carer's ill health. One mother said that the amount of time and mental strain put into caring leaves her exhausted and that she finds that it takes longer to do simple tasks because she is too tired to think straight. She had hurt her back when struggling to keep her son safe when he was displaying challenging behaviour.”
“Some 62% of parents are caring for their young people with severe learning difficulties for upwards of 70 hours per week, and care needs that are associated with severe learning disabilities clearly outweigh the approximate average 50 hours per week that has been suggested by Care NI. Overall, 77% of parent carers state that their caring responsibilities have had an impact on their health, with one quarter of that number stating that depression, stress and anxiety are now an integral part of life. <BR /> <BR />Social isolation is also a common theme for families with a severely learning-disabled member. This is compounded when a family includes two or more children with severe learning disabilities. I dealt with a local family who have two such children at home and find it extremely difficult to coordinate their respite.”
“The Post 19 Lobby Group is made up of parents, carers and representatives from 21 severe learning-disabled schools from across the six counties, including Sperrinview Special School in Dungannon in my constituency. The group's report examined a number of key areas to provide a snapshot of family life in the North of Ireland and sought to provide examples of best practice in Europe and Britain to suggest changes to our system and structures of post-transition care, in particular for those young people with profound or complex disabilities. The key areas included family demographics, caring responsibilities, transition arrangements and the impact of caring on the family. <BR /> <BR />The picture of family life that emerged from the research was very grim indeed.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are only too aware that as children and young adults with severe learning needs become older, their personal, physical, emotional and social care needs become more, not less, demanding. That means that carers and families worry more about the demands that are placed on them and what the future holds for the young person as they progress to the key transitional age of 19. <BR /> <BR />In the foreword to the Post 19 Lobby Group's research report, 'The Impact of Transition on Family Life', Dr Janet Jamieson stated:”
“<BR /> <BR />The clear message that is being communicated to me by carers who are in need of respite from across south Tyrone is the same message that I mentioned earlier when I referred to the answer that I received from the Assembly's Research and Information Service. That is that adults with very challenging behaviour should not mix with adults with complex health needs because of the significant risk of harm and that there needs to be more locally available bed-based respite and short breaks. That explains the demand from my community for more investment in age-appropriate bed-based respite provision. I spoke to one mother, whose child is 18 years old and was going into respite in a nursing home with people who are much older and whose ages range from 60 to 70-plus. That really is inconceivable.”
“Like many trusts, the Southern Trust is endeavouring to identify some form of scoring mechanism following the completion of a carer's assessment to enable it to quantify the amount of respite a carer should receive. It has set up a working group that consists of carers to examine all possible scoring options, and that is to be welcomed. We have been informed that the trust has recently completed a series of information sessions with carers to ascertain the level, type and location of respite provision that would best meet their needs as well as those of the individuals that they care for.”
“Eight of these beds are located in Woodlawn House, Dungannon, which is a nursing facility that caters for the wider trust area. While there is no waiting list for Woodlawn House, perhaps that may be due to the fact that the bar has been set so high with regard to the criteria that needs to be met to secure respite provision. <BR /> <BR />The trust presently gathers information about unmet need via the children's disability social work teams. While there are no children on waiting lists for respite services, nor is there a waiting list for respite for carers of adults with a learning difficulty, the trust is reported as experiencing difficulty providing the levels of bed-based breaks which carers would wish for.”
“It concludes that one clear message from carers is that adults with very challenging behaviour should not mix with adults with complex health needs, because of the significant risk of harm and that, as a result, the trust is being faced with the challenge of providing bespoke individualised respite short-break options. <BR /> <BR />At present, all respite short-break provision in the Southern Trust for adults with a learning disability is provided following the completion of a carer's assessment with the carer for whom the respite is provided. Respite provision can range from a cash grant, direct payments, an increased domiciliary care package, bed-based respite or a combination of these options. The trust currently has 24 beds which it uses for bed-based respite.”
“In response to a question that I submitted to the Assembly's Research and Information Service regarding respite provision for adults with learning disabilities in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, which covers the south Tyrone area, it was stated that, at present, demand for respite and, in particular, bed-based respite is outstripping capacity and that the trust is looking at appropriate interim measures to purchase interim beds. <BR /> <BR />The research paper also states that the trust is aware that many young people are coming through transition with very complex health and behavioural difficulties and is responding to try and meet this growing need on an individual basis.”
“Go raibh maith agat. As we approach Carers Week, which takes place from 8 June to 14 June and, very appropriately, with regard to the debate, has for its theme this year Building Carer Friendly Communities, I thank you for the opportunity to address the House on the lack of age-appropriate respite provision for young adults with learning disabilities in south Tyrone. <BR /> <BR />I have been working on this issue on behalf of local families for some considerable time. Their concerns mostly centre on the need for enhanced provision for bed-based respite and short-break options.”
“Martin McGuinness has taken the first step; he has called on all the Assembly parties to unite against austerity and to seek the additional powers from London to grow the economy. That will be the battlefield for the next term of British Tory rule. Equality, not austerity, is Sinn Féin's way forward.”
“During their first five years in office, the Tories, under Cameron, largely disconnected from the peace process and our political institutions. When they did engage, it was almost entirely in a negative way, creating significant difficulties for the Executive and cutting huge amounts of funding from the block grant. <BR /> <BR />So, what happens next? All the parties in the Executive and the Assembly need to urgently develop a common approach to address the challenges presented by the new Tory Government, especially their attacks on public services and jobs, as well as the good work carried out by our community and voluntary sector, which we pay tribute to today.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are only just coming out of a period when strong representation had to be made to the Minister for Employment and Learning regarding decisions on whether to allocate much-needed European social fund moneys to community and voluntary organisations and groups such as the First Steps women's centre in Dungannon, which has a strong record of delivering quality training programmes for women from across south Tyrone, which, in turn, boosts their confidence and self-esteem and encourages their return to the labour market. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin's immediate focus is to work with others to confront these challenges. The outcome of the recent Westminster election presents enormous dangers to Ireland, North and South.”
“In many areas, rural and urban, that is having a negative effect by setting back much good work that has been progressed to tackle societal and economic disadvantage, as well as groundbreaking attempts to tackle social isolation faced by disadvantaged and marginalised groups. <BR /> <BR />On the back of David Cameron's election speeches, we await more destructive cuts to the North's budget and to the social welfare system, as well as a referendum that could remove the North from the European Union, with obvious negative effects for all the people of this island. As part of its election manifesto, the Conservative Party pledged to cut another £30 billion, with £12 billion of that impacting on welfare, including child benefit.”
“That, in turn, will effectively curb the playgroup's essential fundraising efforts, with cuts to places ensuring a smaller pool of parents and carers to draw from for active support. I have also been lobbied by parents of children attending the Woodland Adventure playgroup in Augher, who have the same issues and who make an important contribution to the rural community in Augher. Those are just two of our much-valued community and voluntary groups that have been in contact with my constituency office regarding concerns on the effective delivery of much-needed services in local communities across Fermanagh and South Tyrone. <BR /> <BR />Tory cuts to our block grant are putting a massive strain on our community and voluntary organisations and groups.”