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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“He added that, in a meeting with our own finance people, it was stated that, since 2009, there has been no increase whatsoever in our block grant. Go raibh maith agat.”
“I do not believe that that is what I was trying to convey. Perhaps if you had listened to what I said, and not to what you thought I said, you might have got the message. <BR /> <BR />Throughout 2014-15, the Victims and Survivors Service will continue to provide funding to individual victims through the individual needs programme and to victims' groups through the victim support programme. A number of the schemes were opened over the summer to help individuals, including the financial assistance scheme, the care for carers scheme and the support for the injured package. However, the other individual schemes — respite breaks, and education and training — have to be deferred, pending additional resources being secured. <BR /> <BR />Finally, it is important to note the comments of our deputy First Minister. He said:”
“That is in line with the level of efficiency savings being sought by the Department from its arm's-length bodies and from the Department itself.It is being taken not from individuals' budgets but from groups'. Throughout 2014-15, the Victims —”
“Following the outcome of the independent assessment, the First Minister and the deputy First Minister committed to ensuring that the necessary changes take place and that further proper scrutiny mechanisms are in place to monitor progress on the issue. <BR /> <BR />It is important to note that there has been an increase in the number of victims coming forward since the establishment of the Victims and Survivors Service. That has led to increased pressures. In that context, the supply of services will need to be looked at. The Victims and Survivors Service has been asked to secure 4·4% of efficiencies from its running costs and from the administration of groups, not from front line services funded under the victim support programme.”
“The Victims and Survivors Service was set up to manage and deal with the issues presented by people affected by conflict. However, many of the individual needs reviews added to the trauma of the victims and survivors and were ordeals for them. <BR /> <BR />It became clear that the Victims and Survivors Service was not doing what it was designed to do and, while many people have had a positive experience, there were too many accounts of negative, frustrating and humiliating encounters. OFMDFM initiated an independent assessment in November 2013 to look at the delivery of the service through the Victims' Commissioner. The OFMDFM Committee has taken a huge interest in ensuring that the service is fit for purpose.”
“That increase of 50% highlights the commitment to delivering the services needed for victims, and, although budgets are under stress due to the Tory cuts, it also shows that the welfare of victims is still top of the political agenda. <BR /> <BR />Under direct rule, the budget allocation for victims was £11·8 million. That increased to £33 million in the last Assembly mandate. Since 2011, the budget allocation has grown to its current level of £50 million — nearly five times the budget allocated by the British Government under direct rule. <BR /> <BR />It is important that victims and survivors have a service that is tailored to their specific needs if we are to bring about the healing that is needed for them to move on from the trauma of the conflict.”
“I support the motion. It is important that we welcome the Assembly's commitment to victims. It was announced that moneys available to victim support services have increased by 50% during the tenure of this Assembly. It should be acknowledged that the Assembly will always want to meet the demand; that is why there is a bid for additional funding in the October monitoring round. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we look at the complex needs of victims and how we fund those programmes to ensure that victims' rights are protected. In a question to this Chamber, it was identified that, between 2007 and 2011, £33 million was allocated to victims' services. That increased to £50 million in the current Budget.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Will he detail the wider benefits of those capital build projects to the local construction industry and the community in terms of social clauses?”
“Can the Minister give us any information on the development of the new INTERREG and Peace programmes?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her response. How practical would it be for the industry in the North to make a bid to host the event at some time in the near future?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Can the Minister tell us about the postgraduate research programme?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. As you know, in my constituency of South Tyrone, there is the promotion of engineering as a realistic and long-term career option. Can you ensure that people will be trained up in the appropriate skills to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital industry?”
“We need to remove any restrictions on individuals participating in higher education or on those who want to reskill or upskill, especially in terms of student finance.”
“So, if a young person decides to go back to school to reskill or upskill, it is important that they are encouraged to do so by having that financial help available. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that the Minister is doing a review of higher education funding, which will include a review to encourage more participation of part-time students and a review of the current support offering. I support that, given that in the North we have a high number of low-skilled individuals. That has a negative impact on the strength of the labour market and the wider economy. In the North, we have the highest levels of economic inactivity. <BR /> <BR />There are many benefits to increasing skills levels, which would have a positive impact on social inclusion and economic performance.”
“So, it is important to put a focus on this issue and evaluate where all of this is at. <BR /> <BR />Another briefing paper by NUS-USI flagged up that those who have a degree and want to study a course may not be eligible for an award. I think particularly of highly skilled individuals who cannot get a job and may need to reskill. <BR /> <BR />During the Committee for Employment and Learning inquiry into careers, evidence outlined the mismatch between those leaving school choosing certain careers and the number of jobs available in those careers. It was outlined how young people need to develop the skills that are relevant to the job opportunities. Young people pursue education journeys where they do not find work relevant to their qualifications once they leave school.”
“The report had a number of key findings, and some have been touched on: 35% of students have seriously considered leaving their course due to financial difficulties; over 58% have worries about not having enough money to meet basic living standards, such as paying utility bills and rent; and 45% of students surveyed struggled to concentrate on their studies, never mind worrying about finances. It was also found that mature students, students with dependants, students with disabilities or those from peace-line areas are the worst off in financial well-being and overall finances. It was also stated that information about the availability of financial support is not clear to all students. The report also outlined that there still appears to be a lack of information on how to apply for hardship funding.”
“<BR /> <BR />I read through the report from NUS-USI, 'Pound in Your Pocket', which explores the financial well-being of further and higher education students in the North.”
“<BR /> <BR />In another slightly different case, a student who is studying for a social work degree in Manchester has been told that she does not qualify for a bursary from England because she has not been resident there for three years or more. She has been told that she does not qualify for a bursary from the North because she is studying in England. The social work degree is costing a substantial amount of money, and she needs that funding to be able to continue studying. Again, I can only assume that that girl was not able to obtain a place in the North. I have been told that when the University of Manchester and student finance in the North were contacted, they said that the North had stopped paying for students who study outside the Six Counties. Perhaps the Minister can provide some clarification on that matter.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I support the motion. This is an issue that affects every student. Student finance is an important lever in supporting and encouraging students to remain in college and continue with their studies. There is a range of financial help to assist students with FE and higher education (HE) fees. However, that is not always sufficient. <BR /> <BR />Just last week, I was dealing with a constituent who had her loan and bursary awards reduced. She is a final-year student, and I am engaging with the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB) and the university on the matter. My constituent was not eligible for hardship funding, and I can only assume that she did not meet the criteria. Nevertheless, that situation could have an adverse impact on her continuing with her studies.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Over the years, consultancy work has been conducted into workforce planning. Can you tell me how much that has cost?”
“The feedback from the well-attended information session, addressed by Martina Anderson, had been extremely positive, and many of those in attendance had been unaware of the extent of the funding available from Europe for research and innovation projects in areas as diverse as technology, health, transport, energy, agriculture, food and space sectors. It shows that, while we have made progress, we have much more to do. <BR /> <BR />In evidence submitted to the inquiry, the feedback on the Barroso task force has been positive, and it is identified as an important mechanism for enhancing and engaging with EU structures. Most submissions advocate that we continue to have a platform to enhance our engagement with the EU and its institutions, amongst other suggestions for improvement. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the report.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Statutory Committees have made progress in developing and fostering that channel available via the Executive office in Brussels, and it is important that we harness and use that important position in Brussels. How we engage more effectively with that office is vital, and we need to move from being reactive to being more proactive to shape and influence. That is difficult and demanding. <BR /> <BR />I mentioned before in the Chamber that I attended an EU funding event in Dungannon, organised by our local MEP and MP. The aim was to learn about as many of these funding programmes as possible.”
“This is an important area of work, as many laws and policies of the EU have a direct impact on the people in the North of Ireland. The EU is making decisions that affect us: 70% of legislation that the Assembly deals with originates in Brussels, so it is important that we are in there, shaping and influencing decision-making in Europe and that we are not, as someone stated, gold-plating legislation. <BR /> <BR />Different reports have shown, in a tangible way, the improved interaction with the EU institutions through the positive role of the task force. Playing a more active role in the shaping of EU policy will enable us to benefit from the opportunities it provides, and this is one of the Committee's recommendations in the report.”
“DCAL was notified of a creative industries funding call and informed the Arts Council of the opportunity, and it was grateful for having that important issue highlighted. <BR /> <BR />The report has identified that the task force has been successful in putting a focus on all Departments to increase their drawdown of competitive funds by 20%. The inquiry has identified that a lot of expertise has been built up by the task force since 2007, and it is important that that is not lost. That knitting and networking have been invaluable in establishing links. In that context, the Committee recommends that the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister continue to sustain an interdepartmental forum to support such a cohesive and coherent approach to European engagement across the Executive.”
“I thank the Member for his contribution. It is not often that we agree, but I definitely agree with you on that point. <BR /> <BR />The Barroso task force was set up and the four desk officers were appointed to help the Executive support Programme for Government commitment 26, which is to facilitate delivery of the Executive's 20% target for increased drawdown of competitive EU funds. <BR /> <BR />The report on the inquiry into the Barroso task force has identified a lot of positivity for the North across a range of policy areas where an impact has been made through engagement with the EU. One example regarding DCAL, and it is one of many, was that Department's keeping of a watching brief on Creative Europe 2014-2020.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I support the motion. I commend all the good work of the task force since its establishment in 2007. Without doubt, the task force has made an impact by improving the North's economic competitiveness, achieving sustainable employment, helping to raise the profile of the North and having a role in the decision-making that takes place in Brussels. <BR /> <BR />Following the inquiry into the Barroso task force, the Committee makes a number of recommendations to support and enhance future engagement in European affairs. President Barroso's term is coming to an end, and it is important that the Executive are being proactive regarding future engagement in the European Union.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, have you given any consideration to coordinating integrated ticketing with other transport providers on an all-Ireland basis?”