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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“Is that the way that we should treat the most vulnerable and the working poor? I should think not.”
“It is an insult to us here in the House, and it is an insult to the people across the North. Economic confidence is the key to economic power. <BR /> <BR />The Budget crisis can be averted. For that to happen, there needs to be a change in Westminster policy. That is crucial. We do not want a future for our children, our grandchildren or future generations that comes from ever-increasing social inequality. A workable Budget should be about the power to invest in our people and powers to create more and better jobs. We need to be mindful that the Budget is being supported by my party, with conditions, to allow the necessary welfare protections to be put in place. We have seen the devastating consequences of the Tory cuts in Britain. They are to be further imposed here. If you do not turn up and tick the box, you may end up living in a box.”
“We will continue to be worse off here, whilst prosperity levels rise in parts of Britain. Westminster governance does not deliver for the people of Strabane, and it certainly does not deliver for the people of the North. Westminster rules mean income cuts for the low paid and income tax cuts for millionaires. <BR /> <BR />I have said this before to the House: we in Sinn Féin believe that, collectively, we should demand more economic power from Westminster to build a prosperous North and a prosperous island — a fair society where hard work is rewarded and vulnerable people are protected. I believe that the vast majority of people in the House also want that. The argument from Westminster that we are too small and too poor to take control of our own economic power is an insult.”
“All communities have been affected by the Tory austerity measures, with the local government districts of Derry, Strabane and Belfast being hit particularly hard. Indeed, my own area, Strabane, has been ranked as one of the most deprived areas in the North and has in the past been known as an unemployment black spot. However, slowly but steadily, the people of the town have moved on, with many families and individuals challenging that stigma and moving into the workforce. That has to be good. <BR /> <BR />However, like other areas across the North, there are many people who are working and dependent on working tax credits. With more cuts on the way, there will be winners and losers, but I fear that there will be more losers than winners. There remains little hope for the working poor, with the Tories planning further austerity cuts.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on behalf of the party. <BR /> <BR />As we know, welfare cuts have already hit harder here than in any region of Britain. People here have already felt the impact of the cuts, and we have all spoken in the House before about what austerity really means and what it looks like for the people whom we represent. Already, those on sickness benefits, and disability claimants, are losing out. There continues to be a loss of income for many working families on a low income, resulting in a large loss to our local economy, with retailers in our towns and on our high streets losing out.”
“Our public deserves much, much better and having direct power over our economy means that we can seize the opportunity to do things here much better.”
“No, I will not, with respect. <BR /> <BR />Poverty levels here have spiralled out of control, along with homelessness levels and suicide rates. Ever-in-demand food banks and other charitable help are now often the safety net that prevents more people from falling into total destitution and despair. Tory policies threaten to destroy the economy through savage cuts to public funding and welfare. As we have seen, the implementation of these measures in England has been a complete disaster and has plunged thousands into poverty and deprivation already. <BR /> <BR />The North is a society emerging from decades of conflict, and clearly you cannot apply here that which applies to England and Wales. Here, we can collectively take control of our Budget and welfare policy.”
“The Executive's Budget has been under fierce pressure from year-on-year British Government cuts to the block grant. Despite this, Sinn Féin has continued to support the provision of front-line public services while protecting the most vulnerable. As has been stated by previous contributors, this Budget Bill does not involve any further reductions to public funding or services. <BR /> <BR />Most of the welfare cuts that the Tories are trying to impose on the North have already been implemented in Britain, with devastating consequences. People are caught in an austerity and poverty trap, particularly the sick, the disabled, single parents, those on low incomes and the working poor.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. That is not up to me, and I would have to take that back to the PAC. Go raibh maith agat. <BR /> <BR />A Cheann Comhairle, if you allow me a moment of your time, I would like to speak on behalf of the party. Like my party colleagues, I give conditional support to the Budget (No. 2) Bill. While the Executive attempt to find a way forward, the British Government are pressing ahead with their cuts agenda and are reducing the finances available to the Executive. The British Government, with no mandate from the people of the North, have again increased the difficulties of the Executive. The Bill also means that the Executive Ministers can continue to deliver front-line services, and that has to be welcomed.”
“<BR /> <BR />The PAC, however, acknowledges that the Department of Finance and Personnel disseminated lessons learned from the PAC's previous Excess Vote reports to accounting officers and finance directors. The Committee recommends that the Department continues to do so, particularly now, as we face such challenging budgetary times in the forthcoming financial year. <BR /> <BR />Moving on, Mr Speaker, if you will allow me —”
“The specific cases were as follows: the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety incurred a resource excess of £1·17 million as it failed to include cover for all its payment obligations within the Spring Supplementary Estimates; the Department of Education incurred a resource excess of £6·28 million as a result of its arm’s-length bodies exceeding the cash drawn down amounts authorised within the Spring Supplementary Estimates, and the Public Prosecution Service incurred a resource excess of £6·03 million as a result of a fair employment tribunal ruling in March 2014 in favour of a case taken by its staff. On the basis of the Committee's examination of the reasons why those bodies exceeded their voted provisions, it recommended that the Assembly provide the necessary amounts by means of an Excess Vote.”
“This is a very serious situation indeed and one that we, as a Committee, will be keeping a close eye on. <BR /> <BR />It is the role of the PAC, as part of the Assembly’s control framework for government spending, to consider reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the resource accounts of Departments that have exceeded the limits of expenditure authorised by the Assembly. The Committee recommends whether the Assembly should approve further resources to the Departments concerned in order to regularise the excess expenditure. In 2013-14, three Departments incurred excess expenditure.”
“While the Committee realises and accepts that budget cuts are severe on all Departments, the PAC considered the Audit Office’s estimate for 2015-16, which set out a reduction in its budget of £514,000, or 6·3%, as unacceptable. The reduction seriously compromises the independence of the Audit Office and its ability to fulfil its statutory obligations and deliver its services fully to the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />The pressures on the Audit Office budget are further compounded by the uncertainty about whether it, like Departments, will be able to access the voluntary exit scheme. Failure to do so will result in the C&AG being unable to achieve the level of savings required to deliver the Audit Office's services to the Assembly and fulfil its statutory obligations.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee strives, with the support of an independent Audit Office, to ensure that high standards of stewardship of public money are achieved, and it adds value by having a bird's-eye view over government spending. Essentially, its role is to consider the accounts and reports on accounts laid in the Assembly. That gives the Committee a scrutiny role over all departmental and public-sector accounts audited by the Audit Office. <BR /> <BR />Given the critical role that the Audit Office has in this respect, the Committee expressed concerns to the Audit Office in March of this year about the reduced budget, which presents significant challenges to the Audit Office's ability to maintain the current level and quality of services to the PAC and wider Assembly.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Second Stage of the Budget Bill as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). <BR /> <BR />The PAC strives to work in the public interest to ensure that public money is used in the most efficient way possible so that the greatest value is achieved from every £1 spent. Never has value for money been so important in the stewardship of ever decreasing limited public funds. <BR /> <BR />This Budget presents real challenges for Departments, given the extent of cuts that they now face. In its efforts to safeguard the public purse, particularly in these austere times, PAC will closely monitor whether Departments achieve value for money.”
“I, like others, look forward to working with members of the Committee on the core focus of the Bill, which sits at the heart of the best interests of the public. Therefore, I support the Bill.”
“It will be the duty of the commissioner to review and report on any issues pertaining to regulation or organisation of the Law Society or the Bar that may be directed for consideration by the Department of Finance and Personnel. Any such reports should be published by the commissioner. That is also a welcome step. <BR /> <BR />As this part of the Bill is for consideration, I believe that the Bill will go some way towards instilling confidence in the public that they will be able to achieve the outcomes they wish for when making a complaint or going through the appeals process. For many, this may be too little, too late. The Bill will, however, address the outdated complaints system that we currently have in place.”
“Most people making a complaint fell at the first hurdle due to the complexity of the system. They were not aware of how to take the issue further, due to their lack of understanding of how the framework and system operated, and therefore the nature or seriousness of complaints was never revealed, due to the lack of data and proper recording of complaints. The Bill will go some way to addressing those issues. <BR /> <BR />The legal services oversight commissioner and lay chairs will be independent from the legal profession, which has to be welcomed. The commissioner will have the power to ensure that there is transparency throughout the complaints-handling procedure. The commissioner will also be able to make recommendations on how the laypersons and their committees receive training for the job, which is vitally important.”
“In presentations to the Committee, what stood out above all the rest was the way in which complaints were handled and processed in this jurisdiction. There was a different process here for handling complaints, and there was evidence that what worked well in England and Wales was not appropriate for here. <BR /> <BR />Briefings to the Committee indicated that the general public were almost reluctant to make a complaint against the legal profession, and that they seemed to have little confidence to make a complaint, as complaints were normally dealt with in-house. Complainants were not fully aware of how or what the system and process were, in the current framework, and there was lack of communication between solicitors and clients, which came across in the briefings to the Committee.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Legal Complaints and Regulation Bill, which is before the House today. I will do my best not to rehearse what has been said. <BR /> <BR />I, too, thank those who came to the Committee to brief members on the new reforms, which will mean that members of the legal profession can be held to account on complaints in an open and transparent manner. <BR /> <BR />It has already been alluded to that, in 2006, Professor Bain carried out a review to regulate lawyers and solicitors here. Substantial evidence was gathered for Professor Bain to make his 42 recommendations, which covered complaints, regulation and competition.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Minister, I appreciate the answers that you have given thus far. Are you satisfied that there are sufficient resources to deal with the programmes related to domestic violence?”
“They told us that they face the daily challenge of having to turn away patients with adult learning disabilities because of the financial pressures on their budgets.”
“It will allow expenditure and tax policy to work together in harmony and enable us to use welfare to protect the most vulnerable. It will also allow us to end the economic mismanagement of successive London Governments and give us the tools to build the economy that we all want — one that is compassionate, prosperous and progressive. It will give us the powers to flourish. <BR /> <BR />I want to make a point today. On Friday, other West Tyrone MLAs and I met a group of individuals from Glenside and Knockavoe schools. Members from every Assembly party were at the meeting and heard how schools face cuts to their day care and residential services in my area of Strabane and West Tyrone and, indeed, the wider north-west.”
“There is a fundamental difference between the vision that we have for our people and that which is painted by the Tories. Do we go forward to an economy that flourishes, with economic powers and in charge of our own resources and decision-making, or do we allow all our achievements to be rolled back by London cuts? <BR /> <BR />Our opponents are content to argue about how the economic and financial cake is divided. They are content to accept a future in which cuts and austerity stretch on for years to come, but we in Sinn Féin are not. Access to economic powers will allow us to tailor economic policies to the priorities of our people, extend competitive advantages and address the challenges and opportunities presented by the local and island economy. It will help us to build a more dynamic economy.”
“The economic difficulties that we face are a product of the failed economic management of successive Westminster Governments. The Tories' economic strategy has "Made in London" stamped all over it. What we want is the opportunity to create a sustainable economy for our people, not the residents of London. Local people and businesses must be at the heart of all our decision-making here. We must invest in improving people's lives to improve the economy and society, not just because it will deliver better services or is the right thing to do, but because it is also the smart thing to do to achieve and secure a future for all our people.”
“The recent Audit Office report on the health and social care sector and the financial pressures in our health care system notes the scale of the financial difficulty facing our health and social care trusts. They were so severe in 2013 and 2014, despite receiving additional funding of over £115 million. The HSC bodies have found it increasingly difficult to balance their budgets in the face of rising inflationary costs and pressure. That adds to waiting times and clinical and social negligence claims around patients and safety. <BR /> <BR />We could do so much more if we had full control of our resources and economic decision-making. If you are unsure of that, Westminster's economic record is there for us all to see.”
“I call on Sir George Osborne to end his obsession with austerity. It is time he listened and time he learned. If he will not, it is time he left us; it is time he left it to the people in this Assembly and Executive to shape a better economic future using the limited powers that we have. We are focused on helping local households and businesses through this economic crisis. That must be our job here in this Assembly. The economic challenges facing us are serious. Uniting to help our businesses and people to flourish, and uniting to build the next generation of economic success, will deliver for our people. We can build a new economic future for this island, North and South. <BR /> <BR />I want to, if you will allow me, Cheann Comhairle, refer to the financial pressures that have already been mentioned in health.”
“No, I will not give way, Mr Wilson, if you do not mind. <BR /> <BR />The current economic position demonstrates why we must deliver that vision. Right now, we face an unprecedented economic challenge of the no-growth austerity agenda from Westminster, without the powers at our disposal to fully drive economic growth and prosperity. The new Tory Government cuts are equal to 5·2% of GDP. If those cuts progress unchallenged, the local impact will be severe. The Tories have no coherent economic plan. Everyone from Paul Krugman to the IMF's Christine Lagarde have called for a plan B around this. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin has argued for an approach that puts investment at the heart of the solution. What makes the situation truly tragic is that the Chancellor's actions are, in themselves, self-defeating.”
“In this current economic and financial climate, in which the Conservative Administration have cut £1·5 billion from our local budget and are intent on delivering further cuts, we must also ensure that we here try to balance our books and protect local public services. Our people and business have had to face the challenges brought about by the economic mismanagement of successive Westminster Governments. We have a vision in Sinn Féin for a local economy that will drive quicker, more sustainable and more equal economic growth, with opportunities for all our people to flourish. We want to build a public sector and an economy that reflect the unique character, skills and values of our people.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We can and must create a wealthier, more equal society. We can do it on a foundation of participation, prosperity and fairness. Fairness does not follow after growth: fairness delivers growth. We want to build sustainable economic growth. To achieve that, we must explore every potential avenue for economic growth, but we also must deliver for our people.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Given the tragic nature and circumstances of Paul's death, as the Minister outlined, what more can be done, particularly in the communities that the perpetrators come from, to assist in securing justice for Paul and his family?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Can you detail any specific areas of research taking place under the programme? How are they advancing? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his response to that question. We are now in June, and many schools that are making plans for their September intake find themselves in the same position as the Ligoniel school. Will he expand on the work that DE is doing with the Education Authority to ensure that schools have a good line of communication with the authority so that steps can be taken to inform them whether they will be provided with additional classroom accommodation in September?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I ask the Minister to expand on her response and give further clarity on who is responsible for the subregional programme. What form will public consultation on that programme take?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. I look forward to her visiting Gortin glen sometime in the future. My office will liaise with her private office to agree time and date for that meeting. Go raibh maith agat.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Obviously, she will be aware that this is a good news story for Strabane. Is she confident that the planned works will go ahead and that the opening of the DARD Direct office will be next year?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response and welcome the fact that there is to be no change. Will he give an assurance that the interests of all children, particularly those from deprived backgrounds, will remain paramount in any changes that are made in any and every aspect of legal aid?”
“Savings of £37 million a year could be realised if average sick absence rates in the NI Civil Service, health trusts and education sector were brought into line with those in Britain.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee for Education undertook separate scrutiny of sickness absence in the Department of Education and wider education sector. Today's report echoes support for measures recommended in the Education Committee's report. I strongly urge that the measures recommended in all those reports are taken forward so that realistic targets can be set that will drive forward improvement in reducing sickness absence across the education sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the Committee's finding that good practice policies exist in the Civil Service. However, they need to be applied more rigorously and consistently within and across Departments. Long-term sickness absence remains a significant issue and accounts for 70% of days lost in the Civil Service, 66% in health and social care trusts and 60% among teachers. In view of the impact of long-term sickness, I support the Committee's call for the Minister of Finance and Personnel and the wider Executive to place a higher priority on reducing long-term sickness absence rates in the NI Civil Service, especially through measures to address mental health issues, which are a significant cause of long-term sick absence in the public sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />While targets have been set in all three sectors, it is disappointing that achievement of them has not been consistent. The Civil Service, for example, had a five-year target to reduce overall absence to 9·5 days a year but did not manage to achieve that. Three of the six trusts did not manage to achieve their targets during the period, and the education authorities did not manage to achieve their targets for teacher absence in 2010-11 and 2011-12. <BR /> <BR />In 2010, the Public Accounts Committee published a follow-up report on the management of substitution cover for teachers, in which it recommended measures relating to sick absence among teachers. Clearly, more work needs to be done to address sick absence, which cost £12 million in teacher substitute cover in 2011-12.”
“Some degree of absence is inevitable, and that is accepted when employees are sick and should not come to work. Effective management can, however, help to minimise absence by ensuring that any causes of work-related ill health are addressed and staff helped back to work as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that, overall, the report shows a declining trend. However, I am concerned that we are still not meeting our targets. The Audit Office estimates that sickness absence costs the public purse £150 million a year across the Civil Service, health trusts and the education sector at a time of ever-increasing pressure on essential public services. It is unacceptable that the cost of sick absence was £73 million to our health trusts, £46 million to the education sector and £30 million to the Civil Service.”
“<BR /> <BR />The health and well-being of the NI Civil Service workforce is crucial to the effective delivery of our public services, and staff sickness absence considerably reduces Departments' productivity, affects services right across and carries a significant financial cost. Therefore, it is important that Departments and the wider public sector protect the health of our workforce and manage sickness absence effectively.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Speaking today as Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, I welcome this coordinated report by the Committee for Finance and Personnel on sickness absence in the public sector here. The review arose from a referral by the PAC of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on sickness absence in the public sector. PAC reported on sickness absence in the previous mandates, and it welcomes the Committee for Finance and Personnel's report, which provides a renewed and timely focus on such an important issue in the public sector.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she, along with Invest NI, continue to meet council representatives and officials to agree targets and outcomes for inward investment? Expanding on the theme of investment, is she in a position to give an update on the business park in Strabane?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Is there any intention in your Department to increase the number of places on offer in Strabane? Is that an area that you would be willing to look at? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat. How does the Assembly Commission intend to dispose of the old laptops?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I am sure that you will agree that we must secure a good, fair deal on corporation tax, one that delivers for SMEs and works for all our people. From your perspective, can you give me more detail on how we can ensure that that can be achieved?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his very detailed response. What impact, if any, will the recent Budget have on implementing these possible changes?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Whilst I cannot speak for both my party colleagues, I am aware that the deputy First Minister is in another meeting. If my party colleague is on holiday, we are all entitled to a holiday, regardless of what time of year it is. <BR /> <BR />The expansion of Magee is a central plank for regional economic regeneration. We need a unified voice coming out of the north-west region demanding what should have been delivered 50 years ago, and, by working together, we can achieve it. Go raibh míle maith agat.”