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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“<BR /> <BR />I want to ensure that priority is given to providing support that reaches younger people from more deprived areas, those living in rural areas and areas that are distant from Belfast and those not currently engaged in cultural activities. With a total investment of £823,000 in 2024-25, all eligible applicants were supported through 119 grant awards to 75 bands, 13 professional and non-professional performing groups and 31 professional musicians. From marching bands and school groups to traditional musicians and musical societies, musicians can replace older worn-out instruments and purchase new ones, thereby increasing the quality of music-making in Northern Ireland.”
“Those are: focusing on the contribution that each of the sectors can make in equality of access and opportunity across socio-economic grouping, age, geography and so on; encouraging greater participation, particularly from people and communities that might feel that heritage is not for them or that their cultural or artistic activities and traditions don’t quite fit; and exploring the potential for encouraging new and deeper collaborations and partnerships, supporting greater financial sustainability across the sectors and identifying approaches and opportunities that maximise the value of those important assets and their potential for identifying, measuring and increasing their contribution to achieving Department and Executive policy outcomes, including in relation to health and general well-being, education and the economy.”
“It is my assessment that the musical instruments programme, which is an important capital investment programme delivered by the Arts Council on behalf of my Department, aligns well with the principles and priorities that I set out in my written ministerial statement of 3 July 2024 on the heritage, culture and creativity programme.”
“Those are also issues that we take on board. We do have a record of tackling official error, but we need to go further, so, in addition to management checks in individual benefit branches, specialist teams use a risk-based approach to target areas that may give rise to official errors. That amounted to over 23,000 cases being reviewed last year for accuracy, leading to the adjustment of benefit in 4, 447 cases. All errors are highlighted to staff to aid continuous learning. I want us to tackle fraud, but we need to tackle error as well.”
“The first bit of evidence that stood out was the fact that we have seen a doubling of welfare fraud in percentage terms over the past number of years. Quite simply, I believe that if you have been found to have deliberately misrepresented your circumstances, it is right that, as part of the judicial process, you be named. I hope that that will be a deterrent to those who might be tempted to do it and that it might send a message to the public that we are taking the issue seriously.”
“I am grateful to the Member for raising those questions because the members of staff to whom he refers are at the coalface. I want to make sure that they are heard. There are processes in place to raise concerns, and I encourage all those with information or concerns to continue to raise them through those channels. I send a message to my staff today that I want to work with them; we are in this together. I will work with them so that we can tackle that critical issue, and if further action needs to be taken, it will be taken, because I believe that fraud is wrong. Some people in the House have said that £163 million is only a small figure. I believe that that money can be better spent on public services and on protecting the people in Northern Ireland who need it.”
“Through the task and finish group, I want to recognise the importance of the safety net that our welfare system provides and the imperative of ensuring that every penny goes to those who are genuinely eligible. <BR /> <BR />The focus of the task and finish group will be about building on the good work that is under way in my Department and ensuring that we have robust mechanisms in place to identify fraud at the earliest opportunity, to stop money going out the door and, importantly, to recover money that has been claimed under false pretences.”
“The terms of reference for the task and finish group are being drafted. As I set out in my statement to the House on 11 February, that group will look critically at every intervention that we take and focus on the high-risk areas in order to maximise the return on investment for hard-working taxpayers. That will include exploring digital developments to support counter-fraud activity. The task and finish group will also examine prosecutions, data retention, the recovery of fraud overpayments and official error to ensure that we are using every tool that is at our disposal to get the right money to the right people at the right time. That is a priority for me and for people right across Northern Ireland, who place their trust in the integrity of our welfare system.”
“My officials are looking into what further changes can be made in partnership with Health and the Housing Executive.”
“I hope that the Member is aware that, as part of the Housing Executive-administered private-sector grant review, we are working closely with the Housing Executive and the Department of Health to identify measures to improve the operation of the disabled facilities grant and to reduce end-to-end processing times. One of the measures that is being considered is a fast-track process for people with life-limiting illnesses. I have asked my officials to prioritise that work. <BR /> <BR />Since 2022, the Housing Executive has reduced the average wait time for the disabled facilities grant by 141 days. That is a significant improvement, but the current wait time for adaptations is still too long, and, as part of the review, I am keen to reduce it further.”
“I brought forward a housing supply strategy for exactly that reason: to make sure that we have the necessary homes in place. That is why a target is in place for 10% of new-build starts of general needs units to be wheelchair accessible. I am making sure that I do everything that I can to ensure that we have the facilities there. Clearly, I want to make sure that, at the same time, we have the ability to adapt existing buildings. The Member will understand the constrained budgetary environment that we are operating in, but yet another reason why we need to see the revitalisation of the Housing Executive is so that we can fund the improvements and adaptations that our constituents need.”
“I want to make sure that we have the budget to cover the needs of everyone in Northern Ireland who needs that help. I will certainly do my best to ensure that that financial support is there. I am sorry to hear about the individual case that the Member raised. We should want for her constituent, and for everybody else who needs them, those adaptations to be in place. We will all have heard stories of people who find it difficult to get by and to just to live their life in the accommodation they are in without the changes that they require. I suggest that the Member contact me directly with those details, and I will be happy to chase up that issue on her behalf.”
“I assure the Member that my Department is committed to ensuring that funding is available for those who require disability-related adaptations that will enable them to live safely in their home.”
“<BR /> <BR />Following Executive agreement of the draft 2025-26 Budget on 19 December, the Department of Finance launched a 12-week public consultation period, which is due to close on 13 March. My officials have commenced work on options to live within a further year’s constrained budget and the impacts of that. An equality impact assessment of the Department’s 2025-26 Budget allocation will be drafted and published for consultation to inform the final 2025-26 Budget allocations.”
“The Housing Executive administers the disabled facilities grant on behalf of my Department. The grant provides funding for adaptations for those with a disability who live in private-sector homes. In the 2024-25 financial year, the Housing Executive received £14·75 million in funding for private-sector home improvement grants, which include the statutory disabled facilities grant. The Housing Executive has advised that it expects to invest £13·91 million of that funding in adaptations via the disabled facilities grants. Those grants and adaptations are in response to need, so each year’s allocation is based on the estimated requirement. Therefore, I cannot confirm investment in disability housing adaptation schemes for 2025 and 2026 at this stage.”
“Yes, absolutely, I can commit to that. My Department leads a project board for the Queen's Parade development scheme, and we have created a subgroup to make sure that we can focus on communication and stakeholder engagement. We will continue to engage with local stakeholders throughout the delivery of the scheme, especially when we approach key milestones, to ensure that they are engaged and informed. Bangor Marine will also keep the local community informed of progress throughout the consultation phases. I know that businesses in the area are crying out for action to be taken. I understand the frustration, and I commit personally to making sure that I do everything that I can to progress it.”
“I do not have a timeline for that. There are still some issues to be worked out, but, as I have said, I recognise the concerns and the length of time that it has taken. I want to make sure that we push it forward as much as possible, and I will certainly do everything that I can in the Department to make sure that that is the case.”
“I am fully aware of the frustrations that exist on the ground. On one of my first ministerial visits, Mr Dunne took me along to meet the people who are most involved with that project. I know how long it has been going on — it has been decades — and I know the frustrations that exist. The Member has my commitment that I want to do everything that I can to make sure that it moves forward. My Department has been acting appropriately in that regard to make sure that we can make progress, because this has the potential to be a game changer. People have waited for too long, and I will not be found wanting in making sure that we do everything that we can to ensure that it proceeds.”
“My officials have been working closely with Ards and North Down Borough Council and the developer, Bangor Marine, and, as a result of that work, heads of terms have now been agreed with the Crown Estate. The developer, the council and my officials are finalising the legal agreements to enable a start on the site. Those discussions are close to completion, and I will provide a further update in the next few weeks.”
“Of course we want to help those who are at risk, and that is work that the Housing Executive is taking forward. <BR /> <BR />I take issue with the Member's first comment. It is easy for him to say that anytime anyone is critical of the gender ideology that he espouses, it is "trans bashing". It absolutely is not. We simply want to protect women. The policies that he espouses would actually harm women and put them in difficult and dangerous situations. He can throw whatever insults he wants at this side of the House, but we will continue to stand up for what is plainly and evidently the truth.”
“The whole point of the gender equality strategy is to make sure that people are protected where there is a difference in outcomes. It will be up to Departments to decide individual actions, and those will require Executive approval. The whole point of the gender equality strategy is to make sure that those issues can be addressed.”
“The Member, not for the first time, is absolutely right. I do not think that the Alliance Party actually cares about this issue. What it is most interested in is tipping its hat to the gender ideologies that she mentioned. When it comes to choosing between standing up for women or adherence to those gender ideologies, the Alliance Party will choose those gender ideologies every single time. Worse still, the Alliance Party cannot even define what a woman is never mind stand up for one.”
“If the Member's question is to ask me for that timeline, I will say that I do not have it right now. As I said, I am taking those strategies forward on a phased basis. There has been a promise for many years that the anti-poverty strategy would be in place, and it is not. It is right that I take a phased approach, but I will, of course, update the House in due course.”
“The Department for Communities has led the development of a suite of social inclusion strategies, including a gender equality strategy, on behalf of the Executive. I have taken time to consider the work to date, alongside the unprecedented pressure on resources across Departments. Given the challenges that we face, I decided to move forward with reinvigorating the ongoing development of the social inclusion strategies on a phased basis. Work on the anti-poverty and disability strategies is ongoing, and details of the proposed next steps in developing the gender equality strategy will follow shortly. While the Department for Communities is leading on the development of the strategies, final decisions on their content, publication and implementation will be subject to Executive agreement and public consultation.”
“There is a responsibility on us all, as MLAs and as individuals, to do everything that we can to make sure that people are alert to the issue and recognise the importance of withholding information and not giving it out when it should not be given out. It is always best to take care, check and verify.”
“First and foremost, I encourage people to be vigilant. We need to make sure that people are encouraging others to be vigilant as well and for them to consider whether they need to give out the information for which those scammers may be asking. We certainly do engage on a regular basis with the Department for the Economy. My Department, as the Member will be aware, sponsors the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, who has worked closely with the PSNI on the Scamwise initiative, which aims to raise awareness among older people of scams. The commissioner played a key role in establishing that partnership. I hope that people are aware of that and will take part in it.”
“First, it is important to say that we will be contacting by letter those who are eligible, but we will not ask them to respond to it or to provide any information. As I said, the winter fuel payment will be made automatically. As I previously promised, the payment will be with those who are eligible for it by the end of the month, and we are still on track to make sure that that happens.”
“In all the media announcements that I have made on the issue, I have made it clear that we will not ask people for any information, nor will we be sending out text messages. Instead, the winter fuel payment will be made automatically, and I hope that the Member will join me in making sure that our older people are made aware that we will not be contacting them via text message, and especially not to ask them for any information.”
“We want to do as much as we can to ensure that those who are especially vulnerable to scammers have all the information that they require in order to remain as vigilant as possible. If community and voluntary sector organisations wish to do that work, it will be up to them to fund it from their budget and to make the Department aware that such initiatives are part of the services that they provide so that funding opportunities can be considered.”
“The messages make it clear that we will never ask for details by text, email or a weblink. We also encourage customers to report anything suspicious to Action Fraud or its local office. Digital and IT courses are run regularly across the library network through the Go ON NI programme to help people develop their digital skills and to raise awareness. Those include courses on topics such as common internet scams and how to avoid them. Libraries NI also links up with partners to deliver activities as part of national initiatives such as Cyber Week and Safer Internet Day.”
“My Department is actively engaged in ensuring that claimants and those in vulnerable groups are aware of preventative measures to take in order to avoid online scams. Such measures include ensuring that claimants can detect potential scams, what action to take and whom to contact. Benefit information on nidirect sets out how my Department will liaise with or contact customers. Many of our online information pages signpost to the public sector's ScamwiseNI campaign, which provides advice on how to recognise and report a scam. <BR /> <BR />In addition, universal credit claimants have access to a guide within their online account that provides information on how to stay safe online and how to keep their universal credit account secure. My Department regularly uses social media messaging to promote scam awareness.”
“I appreciate the Member's giving way. This has been raised by many Members in the House, including the Member for East Londonderry. It is an issue that we take seriously. It is one that I raised during my discussions before the publication of the housing supply strategy with the then Minister for the Economy, whose remit that lies under. I see it as a cross-departmental issue and something that we will work together on, because, as has been said in the House many times, and as Mr Brett also said, it is not now an issue that is only for our coastal or tourist areas. It is seeping into different parts of the country, including Belfast. It is something that is going to be dealt with, and I will continue to work with Executive colleagues on it.”
“Many private renters aspire to homeownership, and I want to make sure that they can have a house of their own. I will continue to improve the security, affordability and quality of the private rented sector for those who live in it. It must be done in a balanced way. We cannot exacerbate supply challenges in an already stretched market. I believe that my reform programme achieves the balance, but, ultimately, more than anything else, we need to make sure that we increase the supply of homes in Northern Ireland. That is my number-one goal for housing, and I hope that, with cooperation from other Departments, that will be exactly what we deliver.”
“<BR /> <BR />Other piece of work that I am undertaking to improve standards and enforcement is the transfer of the landlord registration scheme to councils. The aim of that work is to increase the number of landlords who comply with the requirement to register. We already have evidence to suggest that registered landlords are more aware of and compliant with their legislative responsibilities. In addition, the landlord registration fee revenue will support the scheme's running costs and the development of potential pilot projects to improve compliance. <BR /> <BR />The programme that I have set out has an ambitious agenda. A lot of private renters might be better off living in social housing, so we will build more social homes, but I want to deliver more than that.”
“I am committed to fulfilling my duty to the Assembly. My officials are working on drafting exceptions to the notice periods, as is required by the legislation and to ensure that our action complies with the Human Rights Act 1998. <BR /> <BR />As for fitness and quality, every tenant is entitled to live in a safe and affordable home, and I have completed work on regulations to improve fire and electrical safety for tenants. Officials will now examine how best to set minimum energy-efficiency standards in the private rented sector. Doing so will help improve the quality of our housing, while also improving comfort levels and helping to address fuel poverty, particularly for low-income tenants.”
“That is a form of third-generation rent control, as suggested in the motion, and will mean that, from April 2025, a private landlord will not be able to increase rent within 12 months of granting a tenancy or in the 12 months following the date of the previous rent increase. It will also specify that landlords must give tenants three months' written notice of any rent increase. Commencing the legislation will therefore help tenants plan for the future by providing them with an assurance that they will not face multiple or unexpected rent increases over a short period. <BR /> <BR />Landlords here do not have to specify a reason for eviction. Security of tenure is therefore a major concern for tenants. I have been mandated by the Assembly to introduce much longer notice to quit periods, and I am taking forward that work.”
“The programme will deliver what the Assembly mandated the Department to do through the Private Tenancies Act 2022. That work strikes a balance by making improvements in the private rented sector without exacerbating supply challenges. <BR /> <BR />As for affordability, I am acutely aware of increasing rents in the private rented sector and of some tenants who face such increases mid-tenancy. That is why I have been given the primary legislative power to introduce a restriction on the frequency of rent increases through the Private Tenancies Act. I have instructed my officials to take that work forward as a matter of urgency.”
“The discounted rents available — at 80% of rental costs on the open market — can make a huge difference to those struggling with cost, quality and security of tenure in the private rented sector. I look forward to making a further announcement on that very soon, and I hope that we can ramp up the scheme in future years as well. <BR /> <BR />For those who find themselves in the private rented sector right now, action has been taken. Many people privately rent because it is the tenure that suits them best, but I want to make sure that it is improved for them. The programme of private rented reform that I am taking though is therefore aimed at addressing issues that are raised in the motion, namely affordability, security of tenure and quality.”
“I am committed to continuing with that funding so that we can relieve pressure in that way. <BR /> <BR />I am also keenly aware of another group of private renters who are struggling: working families who are paying far too much of their income in rent and who are not able to access social housing or homeownership. We need to do something different to help that group, and I am determined to do so. That is why I have launched a completely new and innovative project, which I am driving forward by funding the delivery of a new supply of affordable, intermediate rent homes. The intermediate rent scheme will provide good-quality and affordable private rented housing with enhanced security of tenure to lower-income households.”
“We worked very hard to secure additional money in this year's monitoring rounds to increase the number of new starts. Although that is welcome, we will not be able to deliver the 2,000 homes that I would like to have delivered at the start of this year. I will, however, continue to bid for the additional money that is needed in order to deliver the new-build programme. <BR /> <BR />We know that many people in the private rented sector ultimately want to own their own home. I have heard, loud and clear, the voices of the people who feel trapped renting. Since 2020, DFC has provided over £150 million in financial transactions capital funding to Co-ownership. That has helped over 4,000 people purchase a home, and about half of the people buying with Co-ownership come from the private rented sector.”
“I will not be afraid of reminding other Ministers of the commitments that they have made, because it is such a critical issue. It is critical not just because of the people and the number of people whom we are talking about or the real-life impact that it has on them now; it is critical for the future. I have said many times in the House and out of it that, if we get housing right and can provide a warm, safe and stable place for people to live and grow up in, it can completely transform their life chances. I therefore see housing as an investment and expect the rest of the Executive to see it that way as well. <BR /> <BR />Social housing is a significant part of housing supply, and I will continue to allocate the majority of my Department's capital budget — around £170 million this year — to the provision of new social homes.”
“I am determined to deliver on the objectives of the strategy and to tackle the challenges that prevent us from delivering the type and number of homes that we need in order to meet our housing needs over the next 15 years. Work is well under way on setting up cross-departmental structures to develop the first of the short-term action plans as part of the implementation of the strategy. <BR /> <BR />In reference to Mr Gaston's comments, I say that, absolutely, there is a responsibility on other Ministers to deliver. I will remind other Ministers that they have signed up to the strategy; there are individual actions and responsibilities for each of them. It is no longer just a DFC strategy; it is an Executive strategy, and everyone needs to work and pull together to make sure that we deliver on it.”
“I recognise the problem, especially for those in the private rented sector. I understand that, because those concerns come in to me. We have heard some eye-watering sums of money being talked about and about the challenges that people face. I agree with much of the motion's content and commentary. I have a particular concern about one or two issues, however, and I will come to those in a moment. <BR /> <BR />If we are serious about tackling the issue, it is important that we take a whole-system approach. My determination was to ensure that housing be included as a priority in the Programme for Government, because addressing our housing challenges requires a whole-system approach. In December, the Executive endorsed my housing supply strategy and the whole-system approach.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank all the Members for their contributions. It has been highlighted, rightly, that housing is the number-one issue that — I am sure, for every Member of the House — is brought to us by our constituents. I recognise that and have seen it for a long time in my role as a Member for East Antrim. Since coming into post as Minister, I have made it a priority to deal with the housing issues that we face. <BR /> <BR />This question has been asked: what is the root cause of our housing challenges? The root cause is supply. Constrained housing supply in the wider housing market will always create pressures in the private rented sector first. That is why that sector is important, and that is why I am taking a balanced approach to regulating the sector. I will talk more about that shortly.”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the amendment is technical and is consequential to the amendment at Consideration Stage. It does not denote any change to the policy.”
“The amendment is technical and is consequential to the amendment passed at Consideration Stage on 28 January. Members will recall that the newly inserted clause 2 places a duty on the Department to assess the impacts of changes made by regulations provided for in clause 1 and to lay a report on its assessment before the Assembly. The report must be laid at least 36 months and not more than 42 months after the coming into operation of the first regulations made in accordance with clause 1. Today's amendment provides that clause 2 will come into operation on such day or days that the Department may by order appoint, which is in line with clause 1. Subordinate legislation will be required in due course to implement and underpin the primary legislation.”
“When we accept that, we can foster that inclusive society, thus ensuring that sign language users can fully participate in it, and address the feelings of isolation and frustration to which I previously referred. Moreover, the societal attitudes that often contribute to the exclusion of sign language users, through misconceptions about deafness and sign language that may lead to discrimination and stigma, can be eradicated. <BR /> <BR />I hope that I have dealt with all the issues that Members raised. I am sincerely appreciative of the support around the Chamber for the Bill. It is not the end — there is more work to do, and I will be open to any improvements that people come forward with — but today is a good day and a positive step forward. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“Misconceptions about deafness and sign language can lead to discrimination, stigmatisation and a lack of awareness of deaf individuals' capabilities and contributions, and that can result in limited opportunities for them in the workforce and hinder their overall social integration. <BR /> <BR />In summary, the social exclusion of sign language users is a multifaceted issue that is rooted in accessibility barriers, communication challenges and societal attitudes. To foster an inclusive society, it is essential to address those challenges by promoting awareness, by providing resources and by ensuring that sign language is recognised and valued as an integral mode of communication. The Sign Language Bill does that. The Bill tells us that BSL and ISL are languages.”
“The deaf community advises us that disability legislation does not support the promotion of the rights of the deaf community to develop deaf culture. The Sign Language Bill does that. The deaf community advises us that disability legislation does not, through the promotion of BSL and ISL, provide for classes for deaf children and their families. The Sign Language Bill does that. The social exclusion of sign language users is a pervasive issue that affects their ability to participate fully in society, and, despite sign language's being a legitimate and rich form of communication — a language — many deaf individuals continue to face significant barriers that hinder their involvement in everyday activities. Moreover, societal attitudes often contribute to the exclusion of sign language users.”
“In doing that, we can make sure that we deal with the isolation that so many people so often feel. <BR /> <BR />Danny Donnelly welcomed what we are trying to do through the Bill. He made a number of points on which I will come back to him directly. The Bill's objectives line up with the objectives in our disability strategy and with the Department's wider ambitions. It is important to note, however, that what we are doing through the Bill is different from some of the other equality legislation that is in place. <BR /> <BR />Before I conclude, I will return to my reasons for introducing the Bill. The deaf community advises us that disability legislation is not the appropriate instrument by which to ensure access to information and services through linguistic and cultural recognition. The Sign Language Bill does that.”