Michaela Boyle
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister. On that first note, on behalf of my party, I, too, send sincere sympathies to the family of Austin Hunter. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you will be aware that a total of 738 women and 520 children were accommodated in refuges in 2015-16 and thousands more accessed community support.”
“<BR /> <BR />The proposal to establish a graduate entry medical school in the north-west is, as has been said, at a very early stage, but we need to build on existing support for the school to be built west of the Bann.”
“As mentioned earlier, we need more allied health professionals to work alongside our GPs, as not everyone going into a GP practice needs to see a GP. They need a physiotherapist, nurse, chiropodist or podiatrist. All of these people in primary care play an important role in reducing the pressures on GPs.”
“There is a revised induction and refresher scheme for GPs not currently practising in the North of Ireland to return to practising here. I welcome that approach, which goes some way to addressing the gaps here. I am keen to hear from the Minister on how it is progressing.”
“That, he said, was an "extraordinary assertion", because the demand for GPs is rising as people live longer. We have a successful health service, but success creates more demand, and we feel that more in the Western Trust than in any other trust area. We need to bring forward incentives for GPs and others to live and work here.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. First, I take the opportunity to congratulate all those involved in the new £50 million radiotherapy centre in the Western Trust as it opens its doors to the public for the first phase of admissions.”
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“Given that it is International Women's Day, and given that it was recently Mother's Day, will the Member agree with me that we should also remember those women from local government and the Assembly who are now deceased and remember the contribution that they made to local government, the Assembly and other walks of life through democracy? We should also acknowledge and remember them today. Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Minister, you mentioned the tackling rural poverty and social isolation programme. Will you elaborate on how the child poverty strategy will complement and support actions taken under the tackling rural poverty and social isolation programme?”
“In speaking about rural stations, does the Member agree that Strabane station, which has been highlighted as a priority station, should be enhanced? I want to take this opportunity to commend Strabane fire service for its good work at the weekend following a house fire in the Ballycolman estate in which a family narrowly escaped with their lives and lost their family pet. Given that Strabane has been identified as a high priority area, consideration should be given to it. Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I am sure that the Minister will join me in congratulating the many community and elected representatives, councils and, indeed, the Rivers Agency for the sterling work that went on in my constituency area of Strabane and Clady during the recent floods. The Minister said that there would be an Executive meeting later this afternoon, but what discussions has she had up to now with her ministerial colleagues in response to the flooding?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee concluded that when all the costs, including the significant shortfall in receipts from the sale of the surplus properties, were taken into account, this was a costly project that did not represent good value for money. The Committee was extremely disappointed at these very serious shortcomings in the way that the project was managed and that the lessons to be learned were not new. These are recurring themes in the management of capital projects that, despite having been raised before, still arose. The Committee made several further recommendations to help protect the public sector's interest and ensure value for money going forward. We are pleased to note that these have been accepted. <BR /> <BR />I will now pass on to other Committee members who will talk about our other reports in more detail.”
“This and its privileged development position on the Titanic Quarter site enabled it to dictate the pace and outcome of negotiations with the college, which extended from a planned 12 months to 33 months. The value for money of the deal eroded significantly during this period. Despite deciding to go down the PFI route due to funding issues, the Department for Employment and Learning ended up paying £20 million of the £44 million capital cost up front. In addition, while the sale of the properties was meant to help fund the project, DEL was left to pick up a shortfall of £14 million in expected receipts.”
“However, the Committee had very serious concerns about the project management, governance, decision-making and procurement process of the college and the Department's oversight in this respect. <BR /> <BR />The audit trail supporting the identification of accommodation requirements for the new campus was weak. The case for going down the PFI route was marginal at best. The project completion was put in jeopardy as a result of difficulties in relation to the consultancy contract, the costs of which were allowed to overrun considerably from £300,000 to £1·5 million. The preferred bidder was given its preferred bidder status prematurely, despite the extent of the unresolved issues with its proposals.”
“In recognition that the expertise is thinly spread across the system, we recommended that OFMDFM, in conjunction with the Strategic Investment Board, developed such a programme to drive long-term efficiencies from operational PFI projects and maximise value-for-money savings. We are pleased that this recommendation was accepted. <BR /> <BR />I turn to Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter PPP project. First, I would like to place on record that the Committee acknowledges that this project has achieved many satisfactory outcomes. For example, the campus has won awards for the building's design and high environmental standards, and it has delivered a high level of staff, student and employer satisfaction.”
“<BR /> <BR />In evidence to the Committee, we heard how such reviews into water PFI contracts had resulted in £11 million of savings being delivered. This clearly demonstrates the potential benefits of such reviews, especially as there are 32 operational PFI projects in the North. However, we heard how there was no strategic programme for reviewing PFI contracts and maximising the opportunities to realise value-for-money savings. The Committee considers that this could be done better if it were driven centrally.”
“That lack of transparency on long-term commitments with the Assembly and its Committees is not acceptable, and we are pleased that our recommendations for greater transparency have been accepted and are being progressed by OFMDFM. If that information remains behind a smokescreen, it only undermines the ability of the statutory Committees to hold Departments to account. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is of the view that there is scope to generate additional efficiencies from current operational PFI contracts. The public sector needs to act as a more intelligent customer in procuring and managing projects after contract. Improved contract-management practices, such as benchmarking and market testing, will provide better evidence of whether projects are delivering value for money.”
“In 2013-14, the cost of repaying those borrowings was £103 million. That will rise to over £140 million within the next three years. The significant cost of borrowing will further increase depending on a decision to continue to access borrowings beyond 2016. <BR /> <BR />Despite the size and impact of these commitments on budgets, there has been no central collection or reporting of that directly to the Assembly or its Committees. There is scope for improving the information provided to the Assembly on borrowings and the use of PFI. This issue of transparency and accountability was raised by the Committee over five years ago. It is therefore disappointing that we are back here again. The public has a right to know how and where its money is being spent.”
“<BR /> <BR />On the wider issue of the impact of borrowing on private finance commitments, the Committee heard how the Executive have increased their spending power and supplemented the funding of capital investment by using PFI contracts and accessing borrowing under the reinvestment and reform initiative. Both funding streams give rise to long-term and inescapable financial commitments. The current cost of meeting those commitments is approximately £375 million each year, and servicing them is the first call on the Executive's Budget. <BR /> <BR />Current operational PFI contracts have committed the Executive to over £7 billion in future years, with their annual cost standing at £250 million. The Executive expect to have access to borrowings of £2·7 billion from the national loans fund.”
“<BR /> <BR />I wish to talk specifically about our report on the future impact of borrowing and private finance commitments in the Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter PPP project. The Committee examined the use of a private finance initiative (PFI) in the development of Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter project, which was the largest and most expensive further education public-private funding project ever undertaken here. As part of its inquiry, the Committee also considered the wider issues around the transparency and efficiency of PFI projects and the impact of borrowing commitments.”
“The PAC aims to be constructive in pointing out that lessons need to be learned to improve performance. Whilst our inquiries tend to be specific to a particular Department or body and the issues pertaining to it, there are lessons to be learned throughout government. PAC reports this year highlighted a number of lessons that can be applied across the public sector. We have striven to be constructive in our recommendations and offer guidance about what needs to change to avoid a repeat of certain events. We also seek out and publish good practice. Finding exemplars of excellent value for money is a more effective tool for securing change. Much can be learned from the successes as well as the failures.”
“This has resulted in great improvements in the quality of MORs over recent years, which is to be commended.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is not just about making recommendations; it is about monitoring the implementation of those recommendations. The PAC expects its recommendations to be fully considered and implemented, which it monitors through a memorandum of reply (MOR). I welcome the work undertaken this year on agreeing a protocol on the memorandum of reply between the Committee and DFP. PAC regards the MOR as an integral part of the public accountability cycle and monitors Departments' progress on the implementation of its recommendations. In that regard, I acknowledge the important role that DFP plays in working with Departments on the production of MORs to ensure that Departments respond to each PAC recommendation as fully and as positively as possible.”
“We have also stressed the importance of whistle-blowers, the use of whom could have avoided substantial losses to the public purse in the Bytel case. <BR /> <BR />The most vulnerable in our society, in particular, need to be protected, and that was an issue that we dealt with in our 'Report on Managing and Protecting Funds Held in Court'. That report looked at the Court Funds Office, which provides a banking and investment service for many of the most vulnerable in our society who are incapable of looking after their own affairs. The office was in need of a radical overhaul. My colleague Mr Beggs will go into the specifics of our findings and recommendations later. However, by honing in on instances where public funds are being spent unwisely, the PAC has made recommendations for improvements.”
“Our reports have striven to do that, to reinforce lessons learnt, and to minimise the danger of making the same mistakes time and again. <BR /> <BR />The details of the motion give some indication of the wide range of work undertaken by the Public Accounts Committee in contributing to a better and more efficient delivery of our public services. PAC reports have dealt with important issues, such as tackling tenancy and other types of fraud. They also maximise opportunities to realise efficiency savings, such as those identified in our 'Report on Primary Care Prescribing'; our call for greater transparency in government borrowing and PFI commitments; and for making improvements to contract and performance management, as was the case in the Belfast Metropolitan College project.”
“Never has ensuring good value for money been more important than it is today, with ever increasing cuts in public expenditure. It is surely in everyone's interest to want to minimise the impact of the cuts on the lives of people, particularly those who are dependent on public services and public expenditure. Maximising the effectiveness of public spending ensures improvements in productivity that ultimately protect front-line services. The PAC has the advantage of being able to look across Departments and, in so doing, identify trends and challenges that are relevant in all or many Departments and agencies. <BR /> <BR />To improve value for money performance by Departments and agencies, it is important to look at performance over time as well as at a particular point in time.”
“It has assisted the Committee in its pursuit of protecting the public purse and getting to the bottom of how public money has been spent. I am personally very grateful for the efforts that the C&AG and his team have put into supporting the Committee. <BR /> <BR />During this mandate, the PAC has worked tirelessly to reinforce the standards required of people in public life, to prevent fraud, and to encourage whistle-blowers. It has also worked on improving processes, such as the checks and controls for managing public money, promoting good governance, ensuring accountability, and striving for greater value for money for the taxpayer. <BR /> <BR />The past few years have presented new economic and social challenges.”
“I must commend the Audit Office for the excellent support that it has provided to the PAC, not just this year but throughout this mandate.”
“Go raibh maith agat, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. While there is not time for me to go into all the items listed in the motion, I will take a short time to remind you of the role of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the scope of the Committee’s work. The Committee is a Standing Committee of the Assembly, set up under the NI Act 1998 to consider accounts and reports on accounts laid before the Assembly. The accounts of all Departments and, indeed, those of most public-sector bodies are prepared and laid by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), who is head of the Audit Office here. The C&AG may also make value-for-money reports and reports on efficiencies and effectiveness. <BR /> <BR />The Audit Office's role is to examine closely public expenditure from a position of independence of government.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The scheme has been very successful in my constituency. I commend the council for its work with the public on processing applications. Mr Newton asked the question that I intended to ask, but it is important to keep the scheme under review in order to ensure that those who are most in need get the most effective delivery.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I, too, welcome the statement that the Minister has brought to the House today. Looking ahead at the wider strategic and economic issues, I welcome the proposal in 'A Fresh Start' for an independent fiscal council, which appears to pick up on a Finance and Personnel Committee recommendation. In addition to the role outlined in the document at section D, paragraph 4.1, what potential is there for an independent council also to make recommendations on revenues and savings to inform future in-year monitoring decisions?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, would you ever consider specifying certain areas — for example, a street in a town centre — where a special rates exemption would apply to empty stores?”
“What revenue-raising measures are the Executive considering, if any, ahead of a new Programme for Government? Go raibh maith agat.”
“How will the Minister ensure that the 20 PAR recommendations are fully implemented in the project?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her response to the Member's question. Can she further clarify, at this point, what the proposed changes to sentencing will entail?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Minister, obviously you are the Minister, and people will look to you for public confidence. I am sure that you will join with me at this time in saying that our thoughts and prayers go out to the Arkinson family in seeking justice for Arlene. However, Minister, do you accept that many people believe that Robert Howard was an RUC Special Branch informant who was shielded by it from prosecution at that time and that the Chief Constable should state why public interest immunity has been sought?”
“Despite the number queueing up for social housing, there will no new builds in the current decade for the reasons outlined by my colleague Mr McElduff. <BR /> <BR />I urge the Minister to do what he can to support zoning for development for social housing not just in Carrickmore but, as others have said, in the wider west Tyrone area. People want to live, as they say in Strabane, where they were reared, so I urge the Minister to take action immediately.”
“The number of applicants on the social housing waiting list and those listed as statutorily homeless in West Tyrone has remained at the same consistently high level for a long number of years. The piecemeal approach taken by previous Ministers for Social Development, who made provision for only 62 social housing units in the constituency over the past five years, highlights their abject failure to target resources on the basis of social need. I appreciate that we have the Environment Minister here today to respond to the debate. <BR /> <BR />A Housing Executive spokesperson said that, during 2014-15, 117 allocations were made in Omagh and that, as of March, there were 635 applicants on the Omagh waiting list and 183 in housing stress. Single young males and females made up 56% of those deemed to be in housing stress.”
“I have just this week received confirmation from Habinteg that it is to build four two-bedroom units and two one-bedroom apartments at the site of King's Corner on Bridge Street in Strabane. The house on the site has built heritage value, and that is where the apartments are going. As Members will know, it is a very iconic building, but I welcome the fact that it will be turned into apartments and restored to its former glory.”
“Urgent action is needed to address the social housing crisis that exists within West Tyrone, Strabane, Omagh, Carrickmore and the hinterlands. You will forgive me for expanding to other parts of West Tyrone: as I said, I welcome the plans to build 45 social housing units in Strabane, but that does not even put a dent on the waiting lists.”
“That extends to Carrickmore. Of those, 93 are deemed to be homeless, while a further 183 are regarded as in housing stress. In Strabane, it is an even bleaker picture. There are 695 people on the waiting list. Of those, 157 are classed as homeless and 321 are in housing stress. Although there is some let up on the horizon for Strabane, where plans are being drawn up for 45 new builds by 2019, it is indeed a much gloomier picture for Omagh, Carrickmore and the hinterlands beyond. <BR /> <BR />Recently, a Housing Executive spokesperson said that their studies suggested that the need for further social housing in Omagh was zero and that this was unlikely to change between 2015 and 2020. Consequently, there are no plans to build any new houses in the Omagh district or Carrickmore.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank my party colleague for bringing this Adjournment topic before the House and affording me the opportunity to speak on it. <BR /> <BR />The Housing Executive has confirmed that there will be no new social housing built in Omagh before 2020, for the reasons outlined by my party colleague, despite hundreds of people currently being classed as homeless or in housing stress. New figures reveal that since 2010, only 62 Housing Executive properties have been built in the whole of west Tyrone. The number of new builds is the lowest of any constituency across the North and is in striking contrast to the Foyle area, where there has been over 1,300 social housing starts in the past five years. <BR /> <BR />Currently, there are over 635 names on the Housing Executive's Omagh waiting list.”
“— like the organisation called Sands, in my home town, that does tremendous work. I support the motion.”
“The multidisciplinary teams in Health and Education, which are the two lead Departments for this, and their officials need to continue to engage with those involved in meeting the needs of children across the sectors, not just to address the waiting times but to make further investment to deal with the backlog. That is crucial for achieving a successful educational outcome for children with SEN. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to all groups and organisations that work with families and communities to empower children and young people with SEN to actively engage in opportunities and to live an active and full life —”
“All schools need to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully manage the needs of children with autism, Asperger's, special educational needs and disability. Schools also need the capacity and expertise to take on the extra responsibilities that come with the growing demand and the increase in the number of children with ASD and Asperger's. Teachers, along with the healthcare professionals, need time to build capacity for that. <BR /> <BR />It is time that we moved forward with the SEND Bill, and I am aware that it is at Committee Stage. It is time that the Health Minister got back to his desk to take responsibility for the issue.”
“That would be a better model and may be less bureaucratic, but it has to have the mechanisms in it to at least reduce waiting times for assessments. We all know that early identification of need is key to making any progress. Earlier assessment and intervention is paramount in enabling children to reach their potential. If children and young people are not having their needs met promptly, that can lead to long-term and extensive interventions at a later stage in a child's education. <BR /> <BR />In many of our schools and nurseries, there is a clear consensus among principals, teachers, classroom assistants, SENCOs and governors that further training and development for teachers and support staff should continue to be rolled out.”
“That still leaves layers of bureaucracy. In my opinion and that of parents, reporting should be viewed at least every 12 months in order to continue to look at the gaps therein. As the prevalence of autism report indicates, children in the least and most deprived areas appear to have the highest incidence rate of ASD across all school years. That has increased between 2009-2010 and 2014-15, with the greatest rise in numbers of children with ASD in the youngest years — 5- to 8-year-olds — and among older children — 13- to 16-year-olds. All that indicates that waiting lists for assessments will get longer and longer on top of the logjam that is there already. <BR /> <BR />The five-stage process of identifying needs assessments must be replaced by a less bureaucratic and more straightforward assessment.”
“First, I commend all those involved in the hard work to bring the strategy forward. However, along with parents, I am concerned that the recommendations in that strategy are not being thoroughly developed and implemented through the Department and that the outcomes have not necessarily impacted on the ground. <BR /> <BR />The statement indicated that the regional coordinator would report to the interdepartmental senior officials group, which, in turn, would report to the Minister who would:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the proposer of the motion for bringing it to the House today. Much of the discussion today has centred on waiting times for assessment and the frustrations met by all involved, including children, parents and schools. I want to focus a bit wider on the overall system and the bureaucracy that still exists in the system and the process. <BR /> <BR />In the ministerial statement of 14 January 2014 on the autism strategy and action plan, the then Minister Poots outlined that there needed to be the coherent, cross-departmental development of an inclusive framework and an Executive commitment to improve the services that are provided to children and young people and to parents, carers and families who are living with autism.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. I was recently deeply disappointed by what happened in my constituency. A number of young people getting on to a school bus in Dunnamanagh were victims of sectarian abuse. Those young individuals are frightened to go to school every day as a result. It has been reported to the local authorities. Minister, will you join me in condemning that sectarianism and communicate with the local authority on addressing the issue and making sure that it is resolved urgently?”
“Businesses, elected representatives, citizens young and old having the power to set our own agenda over our own economic growth is an opportunity to be creative and innovative with our future finances. This will allow the north-west to prosper and grow. <BR /> <BR />The potential of a city deal for future investment in infrastructure, health, housing, education, transport and the wider economy is a good deal. We have social value partnerships already leading the way to putting greater financial powers into the hands of local businesses and bodies. That has to be welcomed. I support the motion.”
“I understand that, through the north-west gateway initiative, they are keen to achieve objectives with our Donegal colleagues. Many connections and linkages already exist between Derry, Strabane and Donegal, and everyone is interdependent. The radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin is one great example. Even our previous Health Minister, Mr Poots, recognised its mutual benefits. That is relevant business for both Administrations on this island. Therefore, any benefit to the north-west will need the cooperation of the Irish Government, as that is vital to the success of a city deal for the north-west. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion. The positive outcomes of a city deal for the north-west within Derry City and Strabane District Council outweigh the negatives but we have to tread carefully.”
“A city deal has to have its citizens at the heart of it unless there are life changes and opportunities for the people to be involved in the process. We cannot allow more taxes to be put onto the people who, in return, receive much greater losses. Fiscal devolution will work only if people, communities and business are allowed to have their say on financial matters and, indeed, gain in that. As was said, a city deal does sound good, but there remain many challenges and questions that need to be answered. For example, how do we deal with the process of increased powers and who will reside over those powers? <BR /> <BR />I represent a border constituency, and any city deal would have to include Donegal as there already exists cooperation between our councils.”
“If the north-west were to get control over its finances, the city would thrive, but we do not want certain areas in that city to be left behind, particularly constituents, as the Member opposite said, who live in Strabane or in smaller towns and rural villages. They would have to be taken account of. How would the finances gained remain in the city, and how would that operate? It would need to be distributed fairly: we would need to ensure fairness of distribution in order for our towns and villages to survive and have power over their own economic growth.”
“Go raibh maith agat, Mr Deputy Speaker. I agree with much of what has been said today. However, like the Member opposite, given the size and rural dimension of the new Derry City and Strabane District Council area, with Strabane making up 37% of the population of that area, what would a city deal for a rural area look like? It should take into account the rural aspect, and any negotiations with government on any new powers to support economic growth and fiscal devolution should bring further opportunities for those living in rural areas, as not everyone lives in the city. <BR /> <BR />Any prospect of driving growth in the north-west should and would be welcomed.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Can he give an undertaking that his officials will come to the Committee before any final decision is taken on court closures?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Minister, are you satisfied that there are sufficient resources and that prisoners are out of their cells engaging in meaningful activity during the day, rather than there being a regime of lockdown resulting in tensions?”