Mark Durkan
Foyle · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“That review involved an extensive engagement exercise with charities, regulators and funders, aimed at creating a more modern and proportionate regulatory system.”
“When the review was commenced in 2021, many organisations were still in the midst of responding to the pandemic. Since then, they have faced a succession of new and evolving challenges. The ending of European funding programmes, on which so many in our communities relied for decades, has left a significant gap.”
“<BR /> <BR />The broad principles behind the Bill are sensible. The changes will modernise charity regulation, strengthen the Charity Commission's ability to intervene where misconduct or mismanagement occurs, improve information sharing and, importantly, reduce unnecessary red tape, particularly for smaller charities with limited adminis…”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak today. Before turning to the detail of the legislation — there will not even be that much detail in the debate today at Second Stage — I pay tribute to our charity sector. Across every constituency, charities provide support that changes and saves lives every single day.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whilst the SDLP supports legislation that removes unnecessary bureaucracy, we should not kid ourselves that administrative reform alone will secure the future of charities and organisations in the voluntary and community sector.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Like other Members, I welcome the fact that we have reached this point. There seems to be consensus among Committee members and, I am sure, all Members that the introduction of these measures will save lives, which begs the question of whether the 10-year delay in introducing the measures had an opposi…”
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“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to close the debate on the motion. I thank everyone who contributed to it and reaffirm the SDLP's long-standing commitment to establishing an all-island rail network that meets the needs of a modern society while addressing entrenched regional disparities. Disparity in fare structures either side of the border is creating barriers for commuters in the North, making it harder for individuals to access jobs, education and essential services. Aligning fares is a simple but effective catalyst required to achieve zero-emission climate goals and ensure that the North can share in the economic growth of regions that have historically been overlooked. <BR /> <BR />The need for investment in public transport has not been met by the Executive.”
“Minister, I have been in touch with you about the plight of businesses on Foyle Street in my constituency that have suffered hugely due to protracted works by Northern Ireland Water in the area and are seeking relief on their rates bills. The process of revaluation is intrusive, exhausting and expensive for those businesses, and it is labour-intensive for Land and Property Services (LPS). Is there no other mechanism by which to reduce rates when the negative impact on those business is blatant.”
“Many schools and students will be delighted to hear of an overdue upgrade of their computer facilities that will enhance access and educational opportunities across the board. Investment in PE is also massively welcome, given the indisputable health benefits that it brings. Can the Minister assure us that that there will be a level playing field for the pilot and that he will ensure a good geographical spread of successful projects?”
“I thank the Minister for this positive statement of intent and investment.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. We all fully comprehend the capacity constraints on his Department and the resource constraints therein as well. Given how lucrative the industry is — other contributors have touched on that — does he foresee the possibility of the implementation of a system that would, in effect, pay for itself?”
“That said, any such protections must not harm the livelihoods of the many reputable, conscientious practitioners. We must work with them to create a system that safeguards them and their clients. The industry is not going anywhere; it is here to stay. The Executive need to act now to ensure its safety, rather than wait for disaster to strike.”
“Worryingly, however, the North will fall even further behind our counterparts elsewhere in these islands, given that the Health Minister has not been in a position to legislate. When I first raised these concerns, there were no active plans for legislative protections. However, since then, the Health and Communities Ministers have expressed to me their willingness to introduce a draft regulatory framework not only for non-surgical cosmetic procedures but for broader regulation of the tattoo and piercing industries. <BR /> <BR />We urgently need regulation, oversight, better mechanisms for reporting and stricter controls on online advertising to ensure the safety of consumers and prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.”
“It leaves individuals under the age of 18 and those with a history of mental health issues such as body dysmorphia completely unprotected under the current system and often unaware of serious and potentially life-altering complications. Therefore, we support the amendment. <BR /> <BR />It is important to emphasise that, when we talk about botched procedures, we are not referring to just the lack of raised brows or the overdoing of lip filler. The lack of regulation, particularly around hygiene, can have dire, even fatal, consequences, such as sepsis. That not only puts additional pressure on emergency departments and the broader healthcare system but can leave the individual with lifelong physical and emotional scars. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that government has not kept pace with this booming industry.”
“Newsfeeds are filled with posts from individuals testing out a move into those procedures, offering freebie treatments to anyone willing to act as a guinea pig. It is not my intention or that of anyone here to attack the many practitioners and businesses that pride themselves on their high standards; rather, this is about improving the system that they work in. <BR /> <BR />Registered healthcare professionals performing NSCPs are required to meet the competency standards set by regulatory bodies such as the GMC, but there is no such requirement for non-medical practitioners, regardless of how much or how little training they have received. That creates a Wild West scenario where, essentially, anyone can practise cosmetic procedures without a proper screening process for customers. If you have the cash, you can access the treatment.”
“What is clear is that cosmetic surgery is a lucrative market. The industry in the UK is worth an estimated £3·6 billion. It is no wonder that so many practitioners are diversifying into the field. <BR /> <BR />The Zoom boom during the pandemic, which saw us all ogling our own images in countless work calls, coupled with social media and the use of online filters, has seen the demand for Botox and fillers skyrocket. I fully understand the positive impact that the procedures can have on people, but people are pitting themselves against impossible standards of perfection. Of course, that is nothing new, but the lack of regulation of licensing and advertising is worrying. <BR /> <BR />Social media is filled to the brim with influencers promoting the latest on-the-market trends from Barbie Botox to Russian lips.”
“The rapidly expanding cosmetic industry and its largely unregulated market are pressing issues that I have been raising concerns about for the past few years. We have all heard horror stories about botched treatments of teenagers — children who are not even legally allowed to buy a pint in a pub undergoing cosmetic procedures that could have life-altering consequences. <BR /> <BR />In 2022, with limited data available here and in the absence of an Executive, I commissioned a comparative research paper — I thank the Research and Information Service (RaISe) team for their efforts — on non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. While the report confirmed many of my suspicions, the dearth of data not just here but across the water is of concern.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he accept an invitation to visit the brilliant St Brigid's College in my constituency to see for himself the urgent and desperate need that there is for its scheme to progress? Will he outline the criteria that have been used to determine the sequence in which work at schools has commenced?”
“Ultimately, tackling the housing emergency hinges on the political will of the Executive. <BR /> <BR />It is a sobering reflection that the most sought-after children's gift this Christmas will be a place to call home. For many children, the season will have lost its magic and their parents will have lost hope. I remind Members that housing was core to the fight for civil rights in the North, representing not just shelter but equality, dignity and opportunity. Housing was once the foundation for change. Let us, today, remind ourselves why we became public representatives: to improve the place that we call home and to ensure that people have a place to call home.”
“I have since learned, through the Communities Minister's responses to questions for written answer, that DFC has neither set that target nor engaged with the Housing Executive on that figure. Sadly, it would seem that Ministers are in the habit of plucking figures out of thin air and presenting numbers without proper analysis, as was the case with the draft housing supply strategy, which promised to deliver 100,000 homes in 15 years. Two years on, it is clear that that strategy is undeliverable. <BR /> <BR />I understand that housing is not the sole responsibility of one Department and that addressing the crisis requires a whole-system approach. That includes ensuring access to adequate health services, preventing homelessness and resolving water infrastructure challenges to expedite the delivery of homes already in the pipeline.”
“<BR /> <BR />In July, the Housing Executive highlighted the devastating impact that cuts to homelessness prevention would have on wrap-around services and the vulnerable individuals who depend on them. I, like others, commend the work of those organisations and individuals, but they need so much more support to change lives and, in many instances, to save lives. <BR /> <BR />In October, the Assembly backed calls from the Opposition to declare a housing emergency. Less than a month later, the Finance Minister made a welcome allocation of £24 million for new social homes. She informed the Assembly that that would allow the Executive to deliver up to 1,400 social homes.”
“Currently, the only thing that is brief, rare and non-recurrent is homelessness prevention funding and political will to tackle the slow-motion disintegration of community life as we know it. A whole generation of families is unable to put down roots, make neighbourly connections or form the building blocks of a safe and thriving community. Spend on temporary accommodation has increased tenfold since 2018. That is worth remembering the next time that financial constraints are used as an excuse for the Executive's lack of creativity. I am glad to hear that some more creative measures have emerged in recent times, and I look forward to working with the Executive on the delivery of those.”
“The plight of many more families mirrors a modern-day Christmas parable. Many are fleeing persecution and the consequences of poverty, only to be met with this message: there is no room at the inn, the hotel or the B&B. <BR /> <BR />How did we get here? That is not a biblical mystery, but the result of systemic and sustained cuts to homelessness prevention services, combined with the largest reduction to the social housing development programme seen in a generation. How can the Executive rationalise such devastating decisions when housing waiting lists have soared to a record high? <BR /> <BR />The Programme for Government commits to making homelessness "brief, rare and non-recurrent".”
“While many of us excitedly prepare for the Christmas countdown, others face the harsh reality of keeping, or even getting, a roof over their heads. Recently, a mother reached out to my office after losing her private rented accommodation. Amid the chaos of packing up the furniture, searching for a new place to stay and wondering how she would get her children to school if they were relocated across the city or beyond, she remarked that her son's biggest worry was how Santa would find them this year. <BR /> <BR />We have heard today that there are over 5,000 children in temporary accommodation. In many families, the children will have nowhere to hang a stocking, and there will be no facilities to cook a festive dinner and no table for them to gather around together. Believe it or not, those families are lucky compared to some others.”
“The Minister has been asked about Renters' Voice. We have also heard an assessment of the Minister's voice; mine is that he has perhaps been shouting a bit too much in here. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister give more specific details on the measures that he will bring forward to increase security of tenure for private renters? Two years ago, when the Assembly voted for the Private Tenancies Bill, the Minister at the time promised that further legislation would come soon. Is there any other legislation in gestation to aid private renters?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer, in which he referred to the recent OEP report and, indeed, the nutrients action programme. Given that the OEP report identified one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss as an unsustainable nutrients surplus, will the Minister advise us when the nutrients action programme will be published?”
“It was a real privilege to spend time with Ken and, on many occasions, to see him sitting in the canteen downstairs and join him for lunch. The conversation might have touched on politics a wee bit, but, invariably, more time was spent talking about the things that he loved even more: his family and football. We were united by a common love of Everton, something that, Ken joked, prepared him well for his tough battle against the illness and adversity that he faced in his last year. He faced that battle with huge bravery and typical humour. <BR /> <BR />Ken was, obviously, loved and respected by politicians, loved and respected by the public and loved and respected by his peers and colleagues. His loss will be deeply felt by many but by none more than his beloved Liz, his children and his grandchildren.”
“There has been a huge outpouring of grief, love and sorrow, as well as stories told, since the news broke last week of the passing of legendary local journalist and broadcaster Ken Reid. Ken was a constant in our lives and in our living rooms for as long as I can remember. He was in our living rooms to report on some of our darkest hours, as well as some of our brightest dawns, keeping us all up to date with and across the latest political developments in his straightforward, honest, insightful and inimitable style. <BR /> <BR />As a politician, I found it always a pleasure to be interviewed by Ken. He did not mollycoddle you, but he did not try to catch you out either. He knew that the story was never about him. That is what made him so great at his job.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. She has often asserted her respect for the Chief Constable's operational independence, and I am glad to hear her support for his operational ambitions. Will the Minister tell us how she will put forward the argument to her Executive colleagues about the importance of funding the police to allow them to grow to the numbers to which the Chief Constable aspires?”
“We have become aware of some properties being used for the purpose of temporary accommodation, the demand for which has grown exponentially, that are certainly substandard. People are being put at risk when they are put into those properties. <BR /> <BR />We will certainly support the regulations.”
“I am getting flashbacks to my time on the Communities Committee as we scrutinised and prepared for the Private Tenancies Bill. Hopefully, Members will be patient with me. I am a wee bit cloudy on some of it. <BR /> <BR />I rise to welcome these proportionate and common-sense measures, which will save lives and, certainly, reduce risk. The Chair of the Committee and someone else talked about the extension of the standards to the social sector, albeit that many housing associations already carry out such checks as a matter of good practice. When the Minister makes his winding-up speech, can he clarify whether temporary accommodation approved and used by the Housing Executive is subject to the rigours of this legislation or any rigours at all, especially given the often vulnerable tenants and short-term tenancies that exist there?”
“I welcome the statement from the Minister. This is good news, but, for poor pensioners who were getting £200 or £300 and who are now getting £100, and maybe not until the end of March, it will be too little and it will be too late. I am not sure whether the Minister wants to have to come back and make another apology to the House, but the SDLP Opposition have been in touch with the Department, making proposals around the extension of the warm homes discount scheme and, indeed, means testing. <BR /> <BR />I will come to my question, Minister. When can we expect to see the publication of the anti-poverty strategy, yet another of the Minister's priorities, which has been "coming soon" since he took office 10 months ago?”
“I thank the Minister for another marathon statement, but, sadly, it seems that we are running round in circles a bit. <BR /> <BR />The Minister is aware that I am working on a Member's Bill that includes provision for the establishment of an independent environment agency. I was half hoping that the Minister would beat me to it, but, from his statement, it appears that that is unlikely to be the case. <BR /> <BR />The Minister referred to a review carried out by the SDLP. Does the Minister accept that, at the time of that review, the majority of Ministers in the Executive were opposed to the establishment of an independent environmental protection agency, whereas now there is a majority in the Executive and in the Assembly that has repeatedly voted in favour of the establishment of an IEPA?”
“Families continue to struggle with escalating costs that are among the highest in Europe. It is no coincidence that we are also among the worst-performing regions in economic productivity. Universal and affordable childcare is the key to unlocking future prosperity. Let us begin there and give children, families and society the foundation that they need and deserve.”
“Yes, but urgency is required. We hope that tabling the motion and, hopefully, the Assembly passing it will increase the urgency with which the Executive deal with the issue, which has dragged on for far too long. It is only recently and only under the Member's Minister that any action has finally been taken. <BR /> <BR />Childcare providers have been forced to balance rising costs with limited financial support. I have concerns that the National Insurance increases could have a detrimental impact on staffing levels and on the sustainability of providers, who already struggle. They, too, must be supported in the childcare strategy. <BR /> <BR />As I said, we have waited far too long for the implementation of a comprehensive childcare strategy. Promises have been made, but delivery remains elusive.”
“The result is a loss of skilled workers from the workforce, ultimately stifling economic activity. At the same time, an already overburdened welfare system faces additional pressure. Children miss out on opportunities, while the absence of early intervention increases the risk of future health and education challenges, all of which will drive up costs.”
“Fair play to the Minister for doing something with what he had, but, in reference to our motion, if the Minister had more, would he not do more? <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme itself has been a wee bit clunky for parents and providers to navigate. Sadly, it reflects the Executive's half-hearted and half-baked approach to childcare support. We have heard about the high costs of childcare, with some parents spending more on it than they do on their housing costs. Families find themselves in the absurd predicament of working just to hand over a monthly wage for childcare. <BR /> <BR />We should also look at the costs of not providing affordable childcare. The burden is often disproportionately carried by single mothers, many of whom face having to leave their jobs in order to care for their children.”
“The cost of childcare is not just a personal issue for parents but an economic and societal issue that hinders progress across the region. From looking at the places that do childcare well, such as the Nordic countries, we see how affordable childcare systems create thriving economies, higher workforce participation, gender equality and all-round more prosperous communities. <BR /> <BR />The Executive have failed families and childcare providers, many of which have been pushed to breaking point, with some forced to close their doors in recent years because of unsustainable pressures. The recent £25 million investment, while welcome, is just 6% of the £400 million needed for a comprehensive childcare strategy.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome his commitment to face down the challenge. Is he able to outline the implications of such a challenge to the A5 scheme, such as potential delay and continued risk to road users?”
“Does the Minister agree that street lighting plays an integral role, not just in road safety but in community safety? In light of recent events and what we have heard from many women about how unsafe they feel, does the Minister have any plans to improve response times, particularly where there are long-standing outages or delays?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra.”
“It is barmy that, at a time when daily living costs are soaring and we should be increasing the eligibility threshold, we are stripping that lifeline from a considerable cohort of our poorest children. What kind of society are we creating where children do not have the basics of food and clothes in school? <BR /> <BR />The Executive's persistent failure to act, coupled with their apparent apathy about rising poverty, is an affront to every parent and child who is struggling to access basic needs. The school holiday food grant must be reinstated immediately, along with meaningful efforts being made to deliver effective legislative change that will protect, not punish, the poorest families.”
“<BR /> <BR />Statistics reveal a sobering picture, particularly following the migration to universal credit, a system that is now in full swing. In 2019, around 1,500 households were impacted on by the callous two-child policy. At that point, the SDLP warned of the escalating poverty to come. I take no satisfaction from having, sadly, been proven right about that. As of May this year, almost 11,000 families were affected by that devastating, poverty-inducing policy. <BR /> <BR />With universal credit, we also saw a reduction in the income threshold for free school meals and uniform grants from £16,000 to £14,000. I appreciate that the Minister made an intervention to increase that back to £15,000, but that does not negate the fact that many vulnerable families have seen vital support cut.”
“Most of them have at least one parent in work. Food bank demand has reached record levels. Departmental research has shown the previous positive impact of the grant, especially for children with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected by the cuts. Despite clear evidence to support the fact that there is a need for the programme, the Minister's response to my correspondence of last month reflects a refusal to acknowledge the dire situation that families face. A hundred thousand children who qualify for school meals go without that crucial support. The actual number affected is likely to be even higher when we consider that many working families who do not qualify are equally vulnerable, if not more so.”
“Sadly, for some, Santa will not be coming this year. However, gifts are the least of their concerns. Their real worry is that the local food bank, a lifeline for so many, will close during Christmas week. When I made the case for restoring the school holiday food grant ahead of the festive period this year, Minister Givan cited the anti-poverty strategy — a strategy as yet unpublished, let alone delivered, that has been heralded by all Ministers, I think, as a panacea for all our poverty woes. It is appalling that food insecurity continues to impact on families here, and even more appalling that the Executive continue to sidestep responsibility. We get the impact of 14 years of austerity on successive Executives' — at times, no Executive's — ability to deliver for people here, but 95,000 children here are living in poverty.”
“Today's discussion goes beyond the perennial debate on rising school costs for parents. It is fundamentally about poverty and the extreme hardship that people face as a result of Executive inaction and, quite frankly, appalling Westminster welfare policies, which are hitting working families the hardest. We used to talk about the JAMs, or the just about managing. Many of today's parents are not managing. They are barely getting by. The worry of being a parent never ends, yet, for 71% of parents, affording school uniform costs is an added anxiety, but school costs do not stop there. With meals, school trips and extracurricular activities, the price of schooling can often seem insurmountable, and for some, impossible. <BR /> <BR />My office has already been contacted by families anxious about how they will get by over Christmas.”
“I have a wee bit more to get through. <BR /> <BR />Most of the time, residents and agencies navigate the maze of ownership before hearing the dreaded phrase: "This is a no man's land". We definitely need to see a more strategic and centralised approach from the Department on unadopted spaces. The issue affects public safety, well-being, community pride and property values. <BR /> <BR />While there is no denying the financial challenges facing the Department, budget constraints will not absolve the Minister or the Department from a lack of meaningful intervention on the issue. Additional legislation and action is needed to grant the Department more authority, create a more streamlined approach and support the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure.”
“However, daily enquiries, which, I am sure, are received by all of us, make it clear that it is a widespread concern that impacts on safety and accessibility. We receive countless reports of elderly residents slipping on moss-covered pathways or tripping over in badly lit, litter-strewn alleyways when simply trying to take out their bins. It is a concern that affects people's daily lives.”
“I thank the Minister for his intervention, but, in the space of eight years, we have seen an additional 67 unadopted sites. The number has increased by 67. That perhaps indicates a resource issue in the Department, but it certainly indicates — how should I say it — the Department's inability to adopt even the sites that are adoptable in a timely manner. <BR /> <BR />The lack of action has allowed the situation to worsen. The Department's failure to implement recommendations made in 2012, including the Law Society's call for redress options for homeowners in developments where, despite bonds being in place, roads and sewerage remain unadopted for extended periods, has only compounded the problem. Any further slippage risks us reaching the point of no return. <BR /> <BR />The recorded data on alleyways and footways is scant at best.”
“We have seen it repeatedly across Derry, including at Ivy Mead and other developments. In 2016, there were 80 unadopted housing sites in Derry and Strabane. That number has now increased to 147. It is clear evidence that the problem and the solution do not lie solely, Mr Carroll, with developers. I have to make the point that, believe it or not, some developers are responsible and responsive in addressing residents' concerns, sometimes, dare I say, even more so than DFI.”
“That is the case in Burnside Manor in my constituency, where residents have been left in a situation in which DFI holds the bonds for the site, but, due to water defects, it does not meet Northern Ireland Water's standards for adoption. The Department has now shifted the responsibility onto residents, requiring them to pay for the repairs necessary to bring the site up to an adoptable standard. <BR /> <BR />Some homeowners feel trapped and unable to resell their homes due to the poor condition of the infrastructure. That not only limits their ability to move but impacts their property value and financial stability, leaving them stuck in a worsening situation that has an extremely negative impact on their health and well-being. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, it is not an isolated situation.”
“However, the Department has been unable to provide me with details of how many of those developments are stalled due specifically to issues with water and waste water infrastructure. That is indicative not only of the woeful data held on unadopted areas but of the lack of communication between the Department, Northern Ireland Water and other statutory agencies and bodies. We will happily support the amendment as well as the motion. <BR /> <BR />We have heard again today that some housing developments have remained unadopted for decades. In some cases, developers have gone into liquidation, leaving residents to shoulder the costs themselves.”
“I also declare an interest as someone who lives on an unadopted street. <BR /> <BR />Unadopted housing developments, footways, roads and alleyways are a massive concern that impacts on countless people to varying extents, but it is a problem that has evidently gone unchecked. It is frustrating that, 12 years since the Regional Development Committee presented its findings to the Assembly and three years on from a motion presented by the former Infrastructure Committee, we are no further forward. Not only are we no closer to resolving the matter; the problems that householders face around roads and sewerage systems have intensified. Currently — I think that this is right, Mr Stewart — nearly 1,900 housing developments remain unadopted.”
“Today, the Minister has highlighted once again the need for increased investment to address the climate emergency. Can he tell us how much of his Department's budget has been allocated to climate mitigation and adaptation?”
“Apologies, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle, for missing the starting pistol. We are well aware of the Minister's fondness for marathons, and that is reflected in the length of his statements.”
“On the face of it, this is welcome news, but every silver lining has a cloud. I have been contacted by many of those low-paid workers who are also in receipt of universal credit. They are concerned about the impact that the award will have on their entitlement. In particular, if a payment is to be made in the near future, it could result in a nil award in their universal credit in the mouth of Christmas. What interaction or communication has the Minister had with his colleague in the Department for Communities about how that could be mitigated?”