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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“We need to develop a programme where further education providers work in harmony with newly emerging industries and prospective investors so that real training needs can be identified. <BR /> <BR />Finally, lifelong learning should be the cornerstone of our education system. Go raibh maith agat.”
“For example, Momentum indicated that it could create 20,000 jobs in the next five years, and CBI research pointed to a range of future opportunities as follows: 10,000 jobs in the ICT sector; 7,500 in the agrifood sector; about 6,000 in health technologies; 1,700 in advance manufacturing; 21,000 in tradeable services; 10,000 in tours; 11,700 in creative industries; 1,600 in green tech; 7,000 in renewables, power and energy; and circa 49,000 induced direct jobs as a result of consumer spend. That is about 125,000 jobs. <BR /> <BR />The increased demand for STEM qualifications must be met to help to fill the potential of much-needed job creation. I believe that that is an area that would enhance St Mary's and Stranmillis if they were provided with the funding to diversify.”
“The skills gap is not only in practical skills; it is developing across all areas of employment, from information and communication technology, agriculture, retail, hospitality and construction. <BR /> <BR />Business and employers' organisations have all pointed to opportunities for the future, given the right investment and the right emphasis on skills.”
“Our economy is demanding a higher level of relevant skills, and economic success is increasingly dependent on knowledge transfer and innovation. A recent report by Copius highlighted that there is a huge gap in practical skills and that the current level-2 qualifications in those disciplines being offered in the North's further education colleges are insufficient in having potential workers skilled up to carry out work opportunities that we can grow. <BR /> <BR />When I last addressed the House on these important matters, nowhere in the North qualified welders for the highest levels needed for specialist engineering work. That has led to companies going outside the North to attract skilled people to carry out the work here.”
“There are challenges ahead of us. We are tasked to lead and grow our economy while at the same time creating positive social change.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are not without our challenges, but the creation of a vibrant economy is at the heart of the Executive's Programme for Government, with the further and higher education sectors playing a pivotal role in the creation of a sustainable knowledge-based economy. Our education providers play a key role in meeting the skills needs of our local economy by providing a skilled workforce, as well as by making a positive contribution to cultural life here in the North. Those providers include St Mary's University College and Stranmillis, which are facing a disproportionate cut to their funding. The roll-out of the higher education strategy needs to be part of an integrated approach to providing skills, enhancing education outcomes and supporting trainees and students, while making a massive contribution to the creation of jobs.”
“We see the impact of that, for example, on St Mary's and Stranmillis colleges. We are also watching the rise of hard-working families being designated as the working poor, as poverty wages are paid to those working in many service industries. Hence this debate on the important matter of investing in the higher education sector and creating quality employment opportunities with good remuneration. <BR /> <BR />I visited, for example, South West College, with MEP Martina Anderson, and we were impressed by the great strides that that college is making in enhancing its reputation in our community as a first-class provider of quality training, as well as of further and higher education. In particular, the college's ongoing commitment to the strong, local, specialised engineering sector is immense and to be commended.”
“<BR /> <BR />I believe in the power of further and higher education to promote women's independence and help break through the barriers that society often attempts to put in our way. Quality training and education provision help women and marginalised sections of our society to have a chance to play important roles in the labour economy, while often helping to break the cycle of poverty for many families. Given the fixation of David Cameron's cabinet of millionaires to advance the European-wide conservative agenda of austerity, such chances for impoverished women and others are becoming increasingly diminished. We have only to look at the monumental task that we, as legislators, have in front of us to protect front-line services, given the year-on-year cuts to our block grant by Cameron's millionaires.”
“These colleges face eventual closure, due to the fact that the Minister intends to withdraw the special premia. I urge the Minister to withdraw this threat and begin discussions with both colleges to secure their future. <BR /> <BR />As a strong advocate of the merits of lifelong learning, and having myself benefited from our local further and higher education sectors, I always take the opportunity to voice the benefits of such, especially in the development of skills that assist with building greater self-confidence and employability for all those citizens wishing to re-enter the labour force and meet the challenges of working in an economy that is forever changing, given the process of globalisation.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I beg to move the following amendment: At end insert”
“Minister, do you agree that equality must be paramount in any proposed legislation?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her response and for all the assistance that she has provided. Will the Minister agree to a meeting between the hurling club and Sport NI?”
“Investment in education and innovative training, well-paid employment opportunities and a social fabric that enriches the life experiences of the majority of our citizens are what will make a difference. I call on all Members committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent binding international agreements to redouble their efforts to advance the political work necessary to genuinely tackle the root causes of division.”
“I ask the Alliance Party Members who tabled the motion to clarify whether they recognise the cost of partition as one of those embedded costs of division that need to be dealt with. <BR /> <BR />Tory welfare cuts will in no way assist us in our endeavours to tackle the causes of sectarianism and division in our society.”
“<BR /> <BR />The year-on-year cuts to the block grant by the Tory Government in London will in no way aid those whose mission is to deal with the causes of division genuinely and effectively and, in turn, the related costs to our society. Sinn Féin wants Ireland, North and South, to be self-sustaining for the economy and public services. We believe that the economy can and should grow significantly when the costs of partition are removed and the full potential of an integrated island economy is unleashed. A strong economy can support comprehensive public services. A new agreed and united Ireland will allow for the development of fully integrated public services throughout the island for the benefit of all its citizens.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome today's debate, because it gives me an opportunity to bring to the fore issues about the division of Ireland. Many of the reports carried out to date refer to costs incurred due to the unnecessary provision of services for communities that live side by side but do not integrate, but what about the costs of dividing our country? What about the cost of duplicating almost every public service on a small island containing fewer than seven million people? What about the cost of running two health services? What about the cost of running two education systems? What about the cost of running two police services?”
“They can be dealt with only by real leadership being shown by all our political parties in the current talks process as well as by key civic actors and influential voices. Comprehensive agreement via the current political talks process involving all parties will go a long way to tackling the costs of division. We know that the causes of such costs include legacy issues, social and economic inequality and the failure of politics in not having key agreements implemented. Issues such as dealing with the past, contentious parades and parity of esteem for identity all need to be addressed and agreement reached. Long-standing issues of disadvantage and alienation also need to be dealt with as part of the process of tackling divisions in our society.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I support the motion. A range of reports have been commissioned that seek to quantify the cost of division in our society. In fact, there are many cynics in the media who would say that a whole industry has been created doing just that. What we do know is that the case for greater investment in real initiatives aimed at tackling societal divisions needs to be made — initiatives such as T:BUC, the social investment fund, community relations and the range of services aimed at supporting victims of the conflict and dealing with legacy issues. <BR /> <BR />No one can deny that there are costs associated with division, but, instead of dealing with the symptoms such as cost, we must deal with the causes.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, given that more and more computer applications depend on a high-speed connection to maximise the potential of the Internet, will you elaborate on what discussions took place regarding digital inclusion for rural areas in the North of Ireland?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Will he detail the wider benefits of the capital build project, through social clauses, to the local construction industry and the community?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. What guidance does the Department provide to schools on the issue of bullying?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her response. Minister, what further revenue-raising opportunities are available for consideration by your Department?”
“Equal access to employment, education and health insurance are crucial, as well as opportunities to contribute to an active and healthy life in old age. <BR /> <BR />It is critical that we recognise our debt to older people and encourage everyone to challenge ageism and fully appreciate the vast contribution that older people make, socially and economically, to make our society a better place. The report dispels the myth that is often propagated in the media, which is the idea that ageing populations are a burden on the state, on working people and on younger people.”
“I am glad that the Executive have committed to creating a society that values older people and supports them to live actively to their fullest potential. The Executive's Active Ageing strategy aims to ensure strong foundations for the future generation of older people to age with respect, dignity, choice and good health. <BR /> <BR />While commending the good work and many initiatives aimed at promoting positive and active ageing, we must not allow austerity to hit our older people. People who need a nursing home or home care must be able to count on it unconditionally. Austerity should not affect the basic needs and dignity of our older people. If we are to ask people to work longer, we need to give them opportunities.”
“Those who are 20, 30 and 40 years of age today are the older people of tomorrow. They will contribute in many different ways over the next 50 years, so it is in all our interests to change the way wider society perceives older age. <BR /> <BR />My colleague junior Minister Jennifer McCann made the following comment at the time of the report:”
“As more of our citizens are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, older people work, volunteer, provide care and participate widely in community and family life, contributing significant social and economic value to life in our local communities. The report helps to ensure that those important contributions do not go overlooked. Along with a full range of civic actors, we must challenge the negative voices that say that older people are a burden on public expenditure and, therefore, on society. <BR /> <BR />'Appreciating Age' challenges the negative perception that older people are a drain on the public purse, as it clearly shows that the over-60s put much more into society than they take out, in economic and in social terms, to the tune of almost £25 billion. The report, however, is not just about older people.”
“The report attaches an economic value to contributions made by older people to highlight the positive roles that they play, while considering the cost of older-age-related spending, subtracting those costs from the total contributions in order to give a true reflection of the net economic value older people bring to society.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I support the motion, which welcomes the Commissioner for Older People, Claire Keatinge's major report, 'Appreciating Age'. I commend the commissioner for her efforts to reframe the debate regarding older people and society while having the contributions of older people properly valued. More importantly, we, as legislators, must draw upon the report's positive findings and make time for exploring how best we can invest resources, time and effort in making our local communities great places to grow old. The report, which was launched on the UN International Day of Older Persons, reveals that the over-60s living in the North of Ireland will contribute almost £25 billion to the economy over the next 50 years through volunteering, caring, childcare, replacement parenting and working.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I welcome the Minister's statement and commend the good work that has been done to identify international best practice. What is the Minister's assessment on whether that area of work is compatible with the issues and concerns that have been raised by the Post 19 Lobby Group on the special educational needs sector, which you have been lobbied on?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Is the Minister committed to the development of the Community Safety College on the Desertcreat site?”
“The document suggests that, in this context, a full rural impact assessment should be considered, and we as a political party believe that this full rural impact assessment should be carried out. <BR /> <BR />We also believe that a full rural impact assessment would show that a section of people in our community would be even more disadvantaged by having to travel 30 to 40 minutes over and above journeys that take up to an hour at present. If you are to consider that, for relatives who have to visit daily, you could multiply this disadvantage by up to seven times a week. There is a very strong feeling out there that centralisation of services is the end game, and we who live in that constituency are not happy about this proposal. I ask the Minister to sincerely give consideration to all of the issues that I have raised.”
“We do not agree with the proposed relocation of non-acute hospital beds from Loane House, South Tyrone Hospital, to a new building development on the Craigavon Area Hospital site. As well as the fact that it will take a considerable period of time, it will also cost the taxpayer millions of pounds. Given the existing budgetary pressures, I believe that that is a non-runner. <BR /> <BR />In a sustainability development assessment carried out by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust — which took me three weeks to receive — it states that the policy will impact on rural areas but, in its wisdom, the trust felt that there was no need to carry out a full rural impact assessment.”
“I have already mentioned the first two figures; that in 2012-13 there were 128 patients and in 2013-14 there were 166. In 2014-15, there may be 220 patients; in 2015-16 there may be 293; in 2016-17, there may be 390, and in 2017-18, there may be 519. By the time the new unit opens in 2017, the number of patients requiring inpatient rehabilitation will have gone from 166 to 519, which is an increase of 300%. Where will those patients receive inpatient rehabilitation? <BR /> <BR />Bed capacity in Craigavon Area Hospital is under pressure in most months of the year. This year, the winter bed crisis started in September despite the fact that the Met Office tells us that it was the driest and warmest September since 1910.”
“However, there is no mention of what happens to patients from Armagh, Dungannon and all those rural areas. Of course, we are the Cinderella of the Southern Trust. So, what will happen to those patients on day 16? <BR /> <BR />The Southern Trust, having already announced a phased reduction of beds in Loane House, will probably secure the closure of the unit by stealth. There is a strong feeling that the Southern Trust will just ignore the results of the consultation, that a decision has already been made, and that the consultation is purely a paper exercise. <BR /> <BR />According to the trust's own figures, strokes are increasing by 33% year-on-year in the North of Ireland. That being the case, the expected need for inpatient rehabilitation in Lurgan and Loane House should increase as follows.”
“Care in the Community did not work 20 years ago because it was underfunded and under-resourced. <BR /> <BR />In section 4.1 of the Southern Trust consultation document, which is the overview of stroke care, phase 3, which is the discharge home with community support, notes that:”
“Perhaps community stroke services do not have the human and economic resources to cope with the present workload and, if that is the case, how would they cope with the increasing demands put on them if Loane House were to close? <BR /> <BR />Some 20 years ago, the then health boards introduced Care in the Community. We had the same ideals as those of Transforming Your Care, which is to reduce the time spent in hospital by increasing availability of community-based services, and enabling patients to return to home quickly following an acute hospital inpatient stay. High ideals indeed; but it did not work then, and it is not going to work now. Community services, from home help to community nursing services, are already stretched and are faced with more cutbacks as we heard in recent weeks.”
“<BR />The emphasis in the consultation document is on stroke services, as you would expect, but there is no mention of rehabilitation from other medical and surgical conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, repair of fractures etc. When looking at the trust's consultation document, the section on hospital rehabilitation services in Lurgan and Loane House states that in 2012-13 there were 128 patients and in 2013-14 there were 166. That is a year-on-year increase of 30% in the number of patients requiring rehabilitation services in those facilities. <BR /> <BR />If the community stroke services have been so successful, why has there been an increase of 30% in the numbers requiring rehabilitation in Lurgan and Loane House?”
“Regarding catchment population, the number of admissions by local government district in 2013-14 was 152 from Armagh; 200 from Dungannon; 92 from Cookstown; and 20 from other areas including Craigavon, Magherafelt, Omagh, Fermanagh and Ballymoney. So, looking at the issue of local capacity, it is clear that there will be a much broader impact on mid-UIster and north Armagh. It is also stated that 464 patients from the Southern Trust area — not the council area — are referred to Loane House per annum. <BR /> <BR />There are 45 non-acute hospital beds in Loane House and eight of them are used for stroke patients. The closure of Loane House would lead to a further blocking of acute beds in the trust's two acute hospitals, neither of which can cope with their workload as things stand.”
“Loane House is a complementary service to Craigavon Area Hospital. <BR /> <BR />The Older People's Commissioner, in her response to a consultation by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, said that she had concerns that the creation of a specialist stroke unit would mean the closure and relocation of stroke rehabilitation beds at Daisy Hill, South Tyrone and Lurgan hospital sites. She pointed to the travel distances from Daisy Hill and South Tyrone hospitals as being of particular concern, as it will mean that patients and visitors will have to travel much further. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly research paper states that Dungannon and surrounding areas represent 63%, nearly two thirds, of all admissions.”
“So, it is not clear what the difficulties are with the provision of the required level of medical cover. In an overview of the range of care needs for patients placed in Loane House, the research paper states:”
“However, an Assembly research paper obtained on the services at Loane House states:”
“The huge number of signatures on the Loane House petition reflects the public's satisfaction with the excellent services and facilities provided by the Southern Trust, which, in its consultation document, notes:”
“Go raibh maith agat. I am delighted that Loane House has been selected as the topic for the Adjournment debate. This important issue came to my attention when I visited a neighbour to find out how her husband was keeping. She told me that he was in Loane House receiving excellent care and that the nursing staff were friendly. However, she said that there were strong indications that Loane House was earmarked for closure. Sadly, my neighbour's husband has since passed away, but that was my inspiration, as a public representative, to try to save this facility. <BR /> <BR />I heard many neighbours' sentiments over and over again during the campaign to gather over 8,100 signatures opposing the closure of Loane House. A copy of the petition was handed to the then Speaker of the Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, on 2 July.”
“<BR />Finally, we need childcare services that are affordable and sustainable. Without that incentive, it will be difficult to make work pay. Go raibh maith agat.”
“Submissions to the consultation on the childcare strategy raised a number of concerns regarding provision, for example. It was stated that there are too few childcare places, especially for school-age children in the age range of four to 14. Affordability was also raised. The cost of childcare often outweighs the financial benefits of working. Childcare provision in rural areas was also identified as a particular problem. Childcare for children with a disability was also raised, as was the difficulty experienced where current provision fails to meet their needs. <BR /> <BR />Research also indicated that there is a significant reliance on informal childcare provided by other family members. As a mother and someone who lives in a rural area, I can relate to that, as there is little or no affordable childcare in rural areas.”
“School-age childcare services cost, on average, £118 a week during term time and £120 a week during summer holidays. <BR /> <BR />The Programme for Government commits the Executive to publishing and implementing a childcare strategy with key actions to provide integrated and affordable childcare. The first phase of the Executive's childcare strategy, Bright Start, was launched in September 2013. Bright Start aims to create, by 2020, a joined-up, sustainable childcare service supporting developmental needs and positive change for children. The Bright Start childcare strategy works in parallel with a Programme for Government target to grow the economy and tackle disadvantage. <BR /> <BR />The consultation on the childcare strategy began in December 2012 and ended in March 2013.”
“<BR /> <BR />The cost of childcare has increased dramatically over the past few years and is seen as a stumbling block for many mothers returning to the work market, as, after paying for childcare, it may not be economically viable to remain in work. Many families do not realise that there is help with childcare. That is not being utilised to the full extent, as recent figures show. Many families with children need to return to work, so, if we are to encourage mothers and fathers back into employment, it is essential that we cater for them by having proper, affordable childcare in place. <BR /> <BR />In a childcare cost survey that was carried out in 2013, it was estimated that the average cost of childcare here in the North was £158 a week and that childcare costs were taking up to half the average household net income.”
“<BR /> <BR />The affordability of childcare is one of the main obstacles to getting people back to work, so it is important that we maintain supported childcare schemes in order to encourage people back into employment. I am aware of a family who pay almost £700 a month in childcare costs. They receive approximately £100 a month in childcare working tax credits, but they cannot avail themselves of a childcare voucher scheme. It is my understanding that it is one or the other. More needs to be done to promote the use of childcare vouchers, as figures show that less than 2% of people apply for them.”
“As childcare is a devolved matter, there is a fear that if the Bill is not extended to the North, we will be left with no scheme to subsidise childcare, as the previous scheme is being phased out. The new scheme, which is aimed at giving relief straight to parents as opposed to employers, would allow child carers, whose employers do not currently participate in the scheme, to apply. A number of concerns were raised regarding the LCM, by Employers for Childcare, for example. The Committee has raised those concerns with officials and will continue to ensure that working families have maximum access to financial support for childcare.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I support the motion. It is important to note that the North could be left without any government-subsidised childcare if the Bill before Westminster does not go ahead here. OFMDFM has received the proposals to extend the provisions of the Westminster Childcare Payments Bill to the North of Ireland by means of a legislative consent motion. If enacted, the Bill will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of a new tax-free childcare scheme to provide financial support to help working families with childcare costs. <BR /> <BR />The new scheme will replace the existing employer-supported childcare scheme that provides financial support to parents.”