Gordon Lyons
East Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Implementing other recommendations will require further legislation that, I trust, will come in the next mandate, but I can confirm that 60 of the recommendations have already been separately addressed by either the Department or the commission. I hope that that answers his questions.”
“Yes, I do and am happy to share those. The issue has been raised in the Chamber and through Assembly questions. My position is that we want to make it simple and straightforward for people.”
“They also introduce greater flexibility in financial reporting, allowing requirements to be tailored more appropriately, reducing burdens on smaller organisations and ensuring that the system can adapt over time through secondary legislation.”
“If they want to constitute as a Northern Ireland-only charity, they are able to do that, if they believe that that will bring certain benefits.”
“That is similar to what we are trying to do with trustees. Even though you leave your position as a trustee or your position as someone who holds an office in a charity or who has employment in the office, the commissioner will still be able to make a determination that says, "Even though you have left, we are still making this order to t…”
“I do not believe that it was. That was maybe picked up wrong. We are happy to look at and explore that, but that is the information that I have on it. Again, we will have the Committee Stage of the legislation, so we can look into that then.”
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“Unfortunately, we had a commissioner in place who looked at the evidence but seemed to ignore it when it came to her analysis and her viewpoint and opinion. That is all that it is: her opinion.”
“The position has not been vindicated. We have to look at the facts, but, unfortunately, we had a commissioner —.”
“Do you want me to answer the question? <BR /> <BR />It is not at all surprising that the Member has taken the view that he has, because it has been his position from day one, regardless of any evidence.”
“In the hours after the events of that day, the Member, as Chair of the Committee, had no evidence about what had happened. He did not ask any questions of me, nor did he seek any information, yet, within hours, without looking at any evidence whatsoever, he proceeded to call for a vote of no confidence in me. It is a bit rich of him to talk about facts and evidence, when he was not prepared to consider any. It is no surprise that he agrees with what the commissioner —.”
“No, I do not. I welcome much of the evidence that has been brought forward, because it is based on the fact of what I did: what I published and the reasons why I published it on that day. She is wrong on a number of levels. The entire point of the post was to ensure public safety. It was to deal with the violence that had broken out and that was anticipated would break out. <BR /> <BR />Members can tut all they want, but I will not take any lessons from Sinn Féin on ministerial standards. Absolutely not.”
“The report was initiated by DWP. It has been received by the Government, and we are looking at the recommendations to see what applies to Northern Ireland and what work needs to be taken forward. Where the specific circumstances relate to Northern Ireland, we will take that work forward; I can assure the Member of that.”
“I am sorry to hear about that case. I encourage anyone who faces an issue such as the one that the Member mentioned to contact the Department's debt management branch, which will advise on a sustainable repayment plan or any other options that may be available to deal with outstanding debt.”
“It is important that the fuel poverty strategy help people across all tenures, not just those in housing association or Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties. Many of those who are most affected by these issues are in the private rented sector. We need to secure those interventions and help those who are impacted on most. I will make a significant announcement on that very soon.”
“That is why we need to do everything that we can to build more homes.”
“I am concerned, because that is additional financial stress on people. Many struggle to find somewhere to live, and it is incumbent on us to do everything that we can to make sure that we have homes for people in Northern Ireland who need them. Those homes need to be across all tenures. That is why I have introduced the intermediate rent scheme, using financial transactions capital to get more homes built; it is why I am pushing for the revitalisation of the Housing Executive; it is why we are using Housing Executive reserves to buy more homes, so that we push down on the temporary accommodation budget as well; and it is why we are changing the housing association rates so that we can stretch the money further and build more homes. <BR /> <BR />We recognise that that is a problem in the private rented sector. It affects everybody.”
“I will shortly bring the first action plan for the strategy to the Executive. The plan will detail a range of actions that Departments will deliver over the first three years. We know that increasing overall supply is the most effective way to prevent homelessness and reduce pressure on the private rented sector. The actions in the strategy action plan will therefore be focused on addressing the whole-system issues that impact on supply across all tenures. The strategy included a commitment to introduce much longer notice to quit periods for tenants in the private rented sector. I launched a consultation on the secondary legislation to enable that on 5 January, and I intend to put that protection in place later in the year.”
“The Housing Executive has given me the following figures for vacant and void properties that are under its jurisdiction: 17 are pending approved improvement schemes; eight have been approved for demolition; four are being used for decanting to support wider programmes; two are being used for exceptional circumstances; and three are exceptionally uninhabitable. <BR /> <BR />We need to crack down on the issue. I want to hear from the Member about the properties in question. I want to hear from everybody about such properties. There is a housing crisis here, and we need to deal with it. We need to make sure that we use every home that we have, as well as building more homes. I stand ready to work with the Member to make sure that we have houses for those who need them most.”
“I want to take a tougher line on welfare fraud, because we should give support only to those who actually need it and who are entitled to it. If someone deliberately misrepresents their circumstances, that is wrong and needs to be dealt with. Unfortunately, other parties around the Chamber do not support that approach. That is shameful, because that hurts those who need it most.”
“My Department's role in the Motability scheme is limited to confirming that the relevant disability benefit is paid for the required duration. Motability Operations has its own investigations unit that investigates allegations of misuse of scheme vehicles and breaches of its policies. When its investigations identify potential benefit fraud, the information is passed to the Department for consideration. Tackling fraud in the benefits system, including the disability benefits that passport customers to the Motability scheme, is a key priority for my Department and me. We will continue to make the case for additional funding to do more to combat fraud and error. <BR /> <BR />Mr Brett asked about my Executive colleagues: he will be well aware of the position of other parties around the House.”
“I cannot, because, as I said, the scheme does not primarily lie with the Department for Communities. However, it comes at a considerable cost. We need to start thinking about what our priorities are. I want to make sure that people have access to the transport that they need, but we need to do that in the most cost-effective way. I will support changes that make a difference, save money and ensure that support goes to those who need it.”
“The Motability Foundation will continue to offer means-tested grants to support eligible people who would otherwise struggle to afford the advance payment or adaptations for a vehicle leased through the scheme.”
“While it is outside the remit of my Department, I welcome the changes announced to the Motability scheme on the basis that they ensure fairness for the taxpayer while continuing to support disabled people by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair-accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair. The reforms will not affect eligibility for the Motability scheme; nor will they affect eligibility for the relevant disability benefits provided by my Department that passport access to the scheme. The changes will not apply to the current leases or wheelchair-adapted vehicles, and the scheme will continue to offer vehicles that require no advance payment, meaning that people will still be able to access a suitable vehicle using only their qualifying disability benefit.”
“The Member is right to ask about that, because there is very wide disparity in the funding of the arts regionally. Equality of opportunity is a core principle that underpins the work to develop the arts policy. I hope that she is aware that I wrote a letter of expectation about that to the Arts Council. I want to ensure that support reaches younger people from more deprived areas, those living in rural areas and across Northern Ireland and those not currently engaged in arts or cultural activities.”
“Maybe the Member will support me in that regard.”
“I want all of the Barnett consequentials from Treasury to come to the Department for Communities, because we are the biggest losers in that regard. <BR /> <BR />The Member asks specifically about the bid. I have made a bid for £4 million of resource over the three years to deal with the additional requirements that will come from the heritage, culture and creativity programme. I have increased funding to the arts and culture during my time in office. I want that to continue, because I see the benefits of that. I have been able to make announcements, even in recent days, although some of his party colleagues were sceptical about it, about how we can use the 250th anniversary celebrations in America to promote our arts, music and culture. We are allocating additional funding. I have made bids for additional funding.”
“Yes, the bid submitted by my Department for the proposed draft Budget process included a resource bid for the delivery of actions likely to emerge as the result of work being undertaken through my heritage, culture and creativity programme.”
“Absolutely. I appreciate the Member's question, because it is important to highlight the fact that we do not have the adequate capture of data that we need that represents the diversity of deaf and disabled people and the issues that they experience. Through the draft disability strategy, we are committed to working to improve collection and increase the availability of high-quality, reliable and inclusive disability data. My strategy commits the Department to publishing that information on a two-yearly basis, with all the disability data held by all Departments. That will increase the visibility of disability data, highlight any gaps and support the monitoring and reporting processes for the strategy, as well as policy development and legislative reform.”
“I hope that others will have raised that issue as well during the consultation process. The Member raises it now, and we are happy to look at it as well. We engage regularly on the issue. We regularly seek out up-to-date information. If there are any gaps in that, I am more than happy to take those on board to ensure that we have up-to-date information, because that is key for us to make the decisions that we need to make.”
“My Department relies on official statistics produced to recognised professional standards and high-quality administrative data to inform legislative change across its wide range of functions. Data also underpins statutory impact assessments, including section 75 considerations. Where required, my officials undertake bespoke analysis to address specific policy questions, assess differential impacts and provide assurance.”
“As the funds are administered directly by the UK Government and funding awards have not yet been confirmed, it is not possible to assess in full the impact of the reduced funding. However, we will continue to work with those organisations to get that information. There is no doubt that it will have a significant impact. That is why it is important that we make the case around the Executive table to the Finance Minister, so that he can take the issues forward with the Treasury.”
“Absolutely. First of all, Treasury took the decision to allocate only 33% of the local growth fund as resource funding, with the remainder as capital. That is in stark contrast to the Shared Prosperity Fund, which was 75% resource funding. <BR /> <BR />I agree with the Member: I was shocked to see that there was no provision, and I wrote to the Finance Minister along those lines. There was no reference to this in the Sinn Féin Budget. Many people will find that confusing, considering that, although the party has publicly backed the calls of the voluntary and community sector, it has not backed that up with funding in the Budget.”
“I am sure that she will not want me to step out of the agreed protocol, which is that the Department of Finance leads on these issues. It is right that we make the case, and I am happy to do that. However, it is more appropriately a matter for her party colleague.”
“Looking at solutions is what is most important. I have been raising those concerns at Executive level and with UK Ministers. I am sure that she will not —.”
“The Department of Finance leads on engagement with the UK Government and other stakeholders on the local growth fund and other funds that are delivered directly from Westminster. I have already raised concerns at the Executive about the proposed reduction in resource funding in 2026-27, which will have a direct impact on community and voluntary sector organisations that are funded under the Shared Prosperity Fund and deliver important services across Northern Ireland to support those who are furthest from the labour market.”
“Yes, it will include a review of section 167 of the 2008 Act. I am sure that everyone in the House knows that section of the Act. The review will provide certainty for institutions that are not established under the law of Northern Ireland but operate here for charitable purposes.”
“Absolutely. I want it to be introduced as soon as possible. The Bill's Consideration Stage will facilitate the scrutiny that the Member mentioned. It is anticipated that that will take place late this year or early next year. It is anticipated that the Bill will be before the Chamber for a final vote before the end of the Assembly mandate.”
“Of course, I want to make sure that we make it as simple and straightforward as we can for charities to operate. We know the work that they do and that many charities have had to stop work because of some of their more onerous commitments. We will keep this under review. I have mentioned the changes that we want to make to the Act, but I also want to look at the charity audit threshold. We know that changes have been made in England, Wales and Scotland, and we will look at how those changes can be made here as well.”
“My Department is developing regulations to establish a registration threshold, below which charities will no longer be required to register with, or report to, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Those regulations are expected to be brought before the Committee for Communities in the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />My Department also plans to introduce a charities (amendment) Bill in spring of this year to amend the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. The Bill will deliver reforms that were recommended by the independent review of charity regulation and amend the 2008 Act to support its practical application.”
“It certainly has not been. The Member can see the actions that I have taken so far for sport. I have introduced the Olympic medallist fund and the Olympic legacy fund and am making sure that we are focusing on where we can get more people involved in sport. <BR /> <BR />I was also delighted to increase the budget for the Your School Your Club programme. In the year that I took office, the budget for that programme was £500,000. It has now been brought up to £3 million because it invests in our school estate and allows more people to take part in sport after the time that the school gates normally close. <BR /> <BR />I have, therefore, done everything that I can within my budget to make sure that we promote sport. I also want to see a multi-year programme, but it needs to be one that works for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“Sport NI has already approved 37 projects across nine different sports and 11 council areas, and an additional 39 projects are being held in reserve.”
“Yes, I am delighted to. I have committed to recognising the remarkable achievements of our Olympians and Paralympians at the Paris games in 2024. We all remember the incredible sporting moments and the incredible medal haul, which, I know, will encourage future generations to reach the pinnacle of their sport. We are building on that legacy by providing £1 million of capital funding to create new opportunities for people of all ages and of all abilities to take part in sport in their local area. Although "Olympic" is in the title of the fund, the projects are not solely for Olympic sports. The legacy fund is there to support all sports at the grassroots level and to encourage continued growth and participation.”
“I just gave the answer to the Member. If he has —. Perhaps he should let me answer the question before shaking his head. It is always better to listen first. That is how Question Time should work. I am telling him that that is the letter that has been issued to the sports bodies. I was about to say that, if the Member wishes tell me which individual organisations did not get that guarantee, I will be happy to hear from him. He is shaking his head again, so he does not want to do that. I therefore say to any of the sports involved that have not yet got that assurance that they can bypass Mr Honeyford and get in contact with me directly.”
“I have made no such assessment, because I will not be in a position to determine the level of Exchequer funding for Sport NI until the Executive have agreed the Department's budget. The Member will be aware that Sport NI also disburses National Lottery funding, and that is operated independently of my Department. The chief executive officer of Sport NI has advised me that it issued a letter to sports bodies in December 2025 to advise that, in principle, it would continue funding at current investment levels in 2026-27, specifically to ensure that there was no uncertainty over Sport NI funding.”
“The capacity is there, but, unfortunately, communication with those who need the service is not always what it should be. The Member asked specifically about resources, and I can tell him that, in the year that I came into office, the funding for SWEP was £9,837. In the most recent financial year, it was £51,523. That is an indication of the seriousness with which I take the issue.”
“It would be counterproductive, but that is not what has happened. There is no blame being apportioned.”
“Absolutely. If you take a deep dive into many individual cases, you will see that, unfortunately, many of the issues are health-related. It is not just about the lack of provision. There are often issues such as addiction and other tragic circumstances as well. That is why it is important that this is a collective effort, not just from a housing perspective but, importantly, from a health perspective. The Health Minister and I have been working together on the New Foundations pilot as an example of how we need to make sure that we work together to tackle the situations that are faced by those who, we know, are most in need. That is what we are doing and will continue to do.”
“First, the Member is right to highlight the weather that is currently being experienced. That is why the SWEP was put in place last night and is in place for tonight and tomorrow night. On the night in question, the service was provided to those who required it. My understanding is that some calls to the Housing Executive from those who may have needed services were not returned. Partners tried to get in contact with callers again, but contact was not made. I am assured that the provision is there, but we need to make sure that there is communication.”
“I have sought and received assurances from the Housing Executive that it retains sufficient capacity in crash beds in order to meet, during SWEP, the assessed levels of ongoing rough sleeping. That will continue through my officials. I also intend to spend some time with those who operate the Housing Executive's out-of-hours service, including partners, so that I can see for myself how it is working. I express my sincere gratitude to Housing Executive staff and our voluntary and community partners for working tirelessly around the clock in challenging situations to make sure that SWEP provision is available.”
“I do not want anyone to find themselves in this position. I have supported the Housing Executive in putting a severe weather emergency protocol in place during periods of extreme weather for anyone who is sleeping rough. That is in addition to the statutory homelessness services that are already provided by the Housing Executive in partnership with voluntary and community sector organisations. Aside from introducing the first ever ring-fenced funding for strategic homelessness prevention, I have allocated £37·3 million to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive's homelessness budget, which is the highest funding on record. <BR /> <BR />The SWEP includes additional outreach, crash beds and a rest centre.”
“I assure the House that I will continue to focus on practical solutions to increase supply while improving protections for tenants, because stability and affordability go hand in hand. We have considerable evidence of progress that has been made, but far more progress needs to be made. I look forward to working with Executive colleagues and others in the Chamber to make sure that we deliver on that.”
“It is absolutely the case that, if we are to make progress and ensure that we have more homes across all tenures in Northern Ireland, we need to make sure that we have the capacity and stand ready to work with the Infrastructure Minister and, indeed, the whole Executive. Lack of progress in that area is holding up development and preventing more homes from being built. That needs to be got on top of, and I have highlighted it as something that should be a priority for the Executive. <BR /> <BR />What do we need to do? We need to deliver a housing system that provides security, affordability and high standards. We need to address pressures in the private rented sector without undermining supply.”
“Sian Mulholland raised a legitimate point on the issue of tourism lets facing the north coast in particular. That is being dealt with through the housing supply strategy. Councils have an opportunity and responsibility to act on that through local development plans and the planning process, which will also be taken forward by actions in the housing supply strategy. <BR /> <BR />I welcome Nuala McAllister's taking part in the debate. She says that she does not normally stray from her health portfolio, but, of course, she will recognise that this is a health issue as well. Many of the issues impact directly on the health and well-being of our people, and she is right to raise those issues. <BR /> <BR />Mr Gaston's made a point about Northern Ireland Water.”
“I have made changes to the housing association rate so that we can go further and make changes to the design guide, which is something that housing associations were calling for and that can reduce the cost of building social homes. We have also invested £153 million of financial transactions capital in co-ownership. <BR /> <BR />Mr Durkan scoffs and shakes his head, but those are things that have been done differently or are being done for the first time and will benefit people in Northern Ireland. He rolled his eyes when I started to talk about some of those achievements. I will certainly give way if he would like to tell us about how much he welcomes the changes that are being brought in and how we are doing things differently. <BR /> <BR />Time is running short.”
“I am glad that Mr Durkan supports that, because I want to see it ramped up even further and for us to use more financial transactions capital to achieve that. We have tried to deal with the temporary accommodation issues by using Housing Executive reserves to buy homes so that we can save £75 million over the next seven years. We have ring-fenced budget for homelessness provision, which has not been done before. I have brought forward a housing supply strategy so that we have joined-up work. We have a Programme for Government commitment on housing. Next week, I will bring to the Executive a paper on how we can better utilise public land. We have made significant progress on the revitalisation of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.”
“He is nearly 55, so that interest can be properly declared. <BR /> <BR />That is a commitment to making sure that we retain the housing sales scheme in an appropriate way, so that we do not lose out in the way in which, some people fear, we might. <BR /> <BR />I will now refer to some of the comments made in the debate that I have not yet addressed. I cannot help but pick up on Mr Durkan's comment about my desire to do things differently. I hope that Members can see, whether they like it or not, that we are doing some things differently in the Department with regard to housing policy. We have brought in — we will see the benefits of it within the next year — the intermediate rent policy.”