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.”
The complete record
Every one of 5,903 lines we hold for Gordon Lyons, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 54 of 119.
“It should be acknowledged that such a level of investment in the Supporting People programme not only helps vulnerable individuals to maintain their tenancies but helps to prevent additional demands on budgets elsewhere, especially in the Departments of Health and Justice. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that there is more for us to do. Today, I am delighted to make three significant announcements that will help us to finally make some of those fundamental changes and lay the foundations for that important work. First, following the October monitoring round, I am providing an additional £6·7 million for the Housing Executive to prevent the risk of homelessness service closures and ensure that its statutory obligations can continue to be met.”
“I look forward to announcing the outcome in the new year, and I will make every effort to get that started as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />As I said, households have been trapped in the homelessness system for far too long. It is no secret that the budget that my Department and others received this year fell well short of what is required and placed significant constraints on our services. Despite that, I committed to holding homelessness funding at the 2023-24 final budget position. I also provided an additional £4·8 million — a 6·4% increase in funding above the 2023-24 final equality impact assessment (EQIA) budget position — for the Supporting People programme position to help to ensure the continued viability of the programme and provide a budget of £80·7 million for this year.”
“The new strategy will provide a long-term framework for the actions required to increase supply and address the main barriers to progress. It recognises that transforming the housing supply will require not only a collective response from the Executive but a real collaboration that includes local government, community groups, the construction industry and financial bodies, and I will have a major announcement to make alongside that in the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />Increasing the range of affordable housing options is key to preventing homelessness, and I have already taken steps towards that goal. In May 2024, I launched a competition to find an operator to provide 300 intermediate rent homes in Northern Ireland, facilitating a new supply of quality, more affordable housing for lower-income households.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the trauma that homelessness causes an individual is significant, it also ripples across our society. For example, the lack of adequate housing support to prevent homelessness means that we are left with no option but to place people in expensive and, all too often, unsuitable temporary accommodation. The increasing cost associated with providing temporary accommodation is preventing the strategic shift to an investment in prevention activity. <BR /> <BR />I have seen first-hand the positive impact that good housing has on the lives and well-being of individuals and families. A good home is the foundation for everything else. A secure home improves educational achievement, health and job prospects. That is why I intend to bring the housing supply strategy to the Executive in the coming days.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have repeatedly stated my ambition that homelessness should be rare, brief and nonrecurring. That will happen only with increased support and engagement from other Departments, particularly the Department of Health and the Department of Justice. The Complex Lives programme is an example of what can be achieved when we work together. Facilitated by Belfast City Council and led by a multidisciplinary team, that model takes a person-centred approach and addresses the main issue first. For example, if an addiction issue is at the root of homelessness, services will work together to address that issue first. Ultimately, homeless people who live with mental health and addiction issues will be supported to maintain tenancies.”
“<BR /> <BR />As we are all too aware, the reasons for homelessness are varied and complex. Societal issues such as poverty, life experiences, mental or physical health issues and substance misuse can all put people under strain and lead to a breakdown in relationships or to a house no longer being suitable for them. What is clear, however, is that being homeless makes each of those issues harder to solve and that homelessness is often not just a housing issue. The Housing Executive has statutory responsibility to respond to homelessness and for the delivery of the homelessness strategy for 2022-27, 'Ending Homelessness Together'. Addressing the issues that contribute to homelessness is equally as important, however, and, as I said, doing that will take a collective, whole-of-government and joined-up approach.”
“Only through education, outreach and meaningful collaboration across Departments will we be able to recognise properly the challenges and, importantly, to start to address the stigma that is associated with homelessness. <BR /> <BR />As we are all aware, the theme for this year's Homelessness Awareness Week is "Time for Change". I could not agree more with that sentiment. I have said before that we must be radical in our approach to homelessness. We need to seek innovative solutions to problems, and we need to think of different ways in which to respond to need. I believe that everyone needs to have a secure and safe place to call home and that that is the foundation of everything else. I assure Members of my personal commitment to making real and tangible progress.”
“Thank you very much, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Members who tabled the motion for debate in the House. I also thank all those who took part in the debate, and I agree with much that was said. The motion is timely, and I look forward to making a number of announcements during my remarks that show my commitment to dealing with the issue. <BR /> <BR />I thank Homeless Connect and the other organisations across the sector for the work that they do each and every day to support some of the most needy in our society. The events that take place during Homelessness Awareness Week play a vital role in highlighting the reality of homelessness in Northern Ireland.”
“That does not mean that we should not keep an eye on the costs of these things and ensure that we get the best value for money. I am about promoting Northern Ireland; I am about selling Northern Ireland; and I am about making sure that we get more investment and more people coming to visit Northern Ireland.”
“The cost was not within my control; it is about how visits are booked. As I have said, I recognise the concern about the figures, and I want to make sure that processes are in place for the Executive to continue to do their work at much better value for money to the taxpayer. <BR /> <BR />It is important, I believe, that we engage. We have been poor at that in the past. There are a number of opportunities for Northern Ireland's economy in the cultural connections that we can build and in everything that I have outlined on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I am pleased to report that there have already been a number of further conversations about investment in Northern Ireland through philanthropy and private-sector involvement in sport and the arts. There will be tangibles and deliverables from that.”
“Yes, I can confirm that I met her, and a number of issues were raised during the meeting about the work of my Department and the wider political situation in Northern Ireland.”
“I am well aware of the pedigree that Lagan Valley has in hockey. Obviously, it will be a matter for the Commonwealth Games to decide which sports will be played. If there is any role that Northern Ireland can play, I am happy to explore all of the options.”
“I hope that our participation will mean more medals for Northern Ireland, and I have faith and confidence in our athletes to deliver just that. With regard to engagement with the other devolved Administrations and with Scotland, I look forward to doing that through the normal channels but also to highlighting what we can do to put the spotlight on Northern Ireland. I look forward to continuing the conversations that have already happened at an official level.”
“The Department has been able to do lots of things and there is lots more that we have to do, but we need all of government working together, quite simply, to make it as easy and as straightforward as possible to get building.”
“I hope to get Executive approval for the housing supply strategy very soon, and I look forward to discussions with Executive colleagues about that. The housing supply strategy will not build houses, but it will ensure that we have a whole-of-government approach to housebuilding, meaning that we tackle issues in planning, infrastructure and all of the things that are holding up our ability to build more homes. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the engagement I have had with other Ministers to date. I hope that recent events will have pushed this up the political agenda and that people understand the need to do something about this and take real and meaningful action.”
“We do not have an exact figure because it will change depending on the programmes that are taken forward. The current estimate is that the number of new builds will be approximately 1,350. It is important to remember that my capital allocation meant that we started the year at 400. Significant progress has been made, but there is more to do.”
“I want to give the Member information that is as accurate as possible, so I will come back to him on that. He is right to raise the issue, because we absolutely need to make sure that the appropriate monitoring is in place.”
“I am grateful to the Member for raising that. I want to see that included as soon as possible, and he will be aware of the concerns that I have expressed about that. The issue has not come up directly in the conversations that I have had so far, but I am keen to hear the Member's views on it. We will take the views of others as well before we come to a final decision.”
“It will not surprise the Member to hear that I agree with what she has said. The campaign that we are currently hearing about is ill advised at best. I was concerned to learn about the discussion and consideration of changing the flag. As we have seen at the Olympics, our athletes have always kept their focus on sport and were able to represent Northern Ireland, and politics was not made anything of. Unfortunately, politics is being dragged into this now. <BR /> <BR />I have not been consulted on this. If I had been, I would have made it clear that we should not upset the status quo. We have had athletes who have been happy to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, and they should continue to be allowed to do so. It would be best for everyone involved for this to be put to bed.”
“Yes, absolutely, I have had engagement on the Commonwealth Games. It is great that they are coming back to the UK. It is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our amazing athletes, who have always made us so proud. We will continue to work closely with Commonwealth Games NI and wider sporting bodies in the lead-up to that event. <BR /> <BR />I was delighted that the Member could join us at the Olympics celebration at the SSE Arena. That was a fantastic event for all involved, and the focus was rightly on our athletes, where the focus should always be. I hope that we will have similar success in 2026.”
“That is the sure way that we can help people to escape from poverty, and that is the approach that I am taking to the strategy.”
“The anti-poverty strategy will have three pillars. First, there will be the supports needed to prevent people getting into poverty. Secondly, for those who find themselves in poverty, it is about making sure that they have the support that they need. Thirdly, we need to make sure that we help people to exit poverty. That is why it has to be a cross-departmental strategy. It is not something that the Department for Communities can do alone. <BR /> <BR />One of the best ways to prevent poverty and help people to get out of poverty is to make sure that people can get into work and stay in work. Yes, we need to have a safety net for those who are unable to work, but I want to see far more of us breaking down the barriers to people gaining employment and staying in employment.”
“I am pleased to inform the Member that good progress has been made. This is another example of where no action has been taken for far too long. It has been a requirement on my Department and predecessor Departments since 1998 to deliver this, and I am pleased to inform the House that it is still my intention to make sure that we have the anti-poverty strategy before Executive colleagues in January. What is more, I want to make sure that that is a strategy that has buy-in and that other Departments are signed up to. Currently, the interdepartmental working group is meeting to make sure that the Departments sign up to something that is sustainable and, importantly, actually makes a difference.”
“The Member will be aware of what we were able to do with regard to small settlements during COVID-19 in collaboration with DAERA. I am keen to explore that to see what more we can do. If the Member has specific suggestions about the type of issues that we should work on, I will, of course, be happy to hear from him.”
“My Department invests considerable resources in delivering a wide range of services to the public throughout Northern Ireland in rural and urban settings. It is delivered through our arm's-length bodies and includes ensuring the availability of good, affordable housing; the delivery of social security, child maintenance and pensions; supporting the voluntary and community sector; and a range of investments in the public realm, heritage, sport, arts, language, culture and many more. My priority is to deliver real and lasting change for people across Northern Ireland, whether that is in urban or rural settings, and I will continue to do that in the time ahead.”
“I want to spend more of that money on prevention, but we have a Minister in this Department who is looking at new and novel ways of tackling the issue. Yes, my voice may be a little weak, but the action that I have taken has been strong.”
“Utter rubbish from the Member. Utter rubbish. He asked me what I have done, and I outlined the list of the things that I have done during my time in office. He is shaking his head: well, it is factual. That is absolutely what I have done. <BR /> <BR />I assure the Member that he is not rattling me. He is making me excited because I have the opportunity to highlight the work that we are doing in this area. It is a serious matter and has been my top priority since coming into office, and I am really pleased that we have been able to start to make a difference. We will continue to do that. <BR /> <BR />The Member mentioned temporary accommodation. A huge amount of money has had to be spent on that.”
“I am bringing forward a housing supply strategy that will be with the Executive shortly and will set up a cross-departmental route to deal with the problem, and I have secured a commitment and a stand-alone housing outcome in the Programme for Government. That is a significant record, in a short period, of taking the steps needed to address the issue. <BR /> <BR />Oh, I have also got an additional £24 million for more social housing this year. I am quite pleased with the work that we have been able to achieve in the past few months.”
“I will tell you what I am doing about it: I am doing things that no Minister has done before. I am bringing in intermediate rent using financial transactions capital, bringing in loans for move-on accommodation and working with housing associations to make sure that we deal with void properties. I have pushed more than anybody has ever pushed on Housing Executive revitalisation so that we can improve the homes that we have and build more. I am bringing in more legislation to deal with antisocial behaviour. I am looking at how we award points in Northern Ireland to make sure that those who need homes most get them.”
“My Department's review of the Executive's People and Place strategy has broadly concluded with the development of a draft strategic framework. That has been informed by the views expressed by stakeholders through a wide-ranging sectoral engagement exercise. The draft strategic framework, which will align with the anti-poverty strategy, is undergoing a quality review exercise and will be provided for my consideration by the end of December 2024.”
“It will also address how to support those living in or at risk of fuel poverty, improve consumer protection and include proposals for a new fuel poverty energy efficiency scheme.”
“In the next number of days, I will launch a public consultation on the draft fuel poverty strategy to provide a long-term framework to reduce fuel poverty, recognising that it will have positive impacts on mental and physical health, especially for the most vulnerable in our society. The fuel poverty strategy proposes an ambitious vision of a warm, healthy home for everyone, underpinned by the guiding principles of long-term, sustainable solutions, a needs-based approach and collective and participative working. It will focus on making homes more energy-efficient in order to address the root causes of fuel poverty and reduce the poor health outcomes associated with cold homes.”
“The Member is absolutely right, and that is why any new scheme will be considered in the light of what came before and also the success of the scheme that is in place. Let me make this very clear: I want to do everything that I can to make it as easy as possible to live in a warm and safe home. That is why, in the next number of weeks, I will launch a consultation on a new fuel poverty strategy that will outline options for the way forward. It is vital that we do more and invest earlier. As much as I want to be in a position to give out support to people to help them heat their home, it is more important that homes be well insulated in the first place. That is a much better use of resource, and I will do everything that I can to make sure that we are helping those who are most in need.”
“My Department is undertaking an equality impact assessment on its budget, and the Department of Finance has confirmed the outcome of the October monitoring round. My officials are working through the process to determine allocations.”
“On 21 September 2023, owing to budgetary constraints, my Department announced the closure of the boiler replacement scheme. Prior to that decision, the scheme had seen a significant decrease in the number of enquiries and application forms received in the previous two financial years. It was therefore decided to consolidate resources in the affordable warmth scheme. That scheme is open for applications, and the business case covers it to run until March 2026. The scheme includes providing grants for boilers and central heating systems. <BR /> <BR />I have allocated an opening budget of £7·175 million for the scheme to cover £5·2 million of approvals carried forward and £1·975 million for new approvals in this financial year.”
“The Member says that he knows that, but he spent the opening monologue to his question saying all of that. There has been a bit of a mixed message from him today. I am about promoting Northern Ireland. I want to tell people in the United States who we are, what we have done and what we are about. That is what I will continue to do. <BR /> <BR />The Member makes an important point, however. I want to make it as easy as possible for people to arrive in Northern Ireland and be able to travel. That needs to be taken into consideration. The Member can rest assured that I will do everything that I can to use the relationships that are being built for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“Let me say this: I did not mention divisions or difference. Those are words that the Member used. This is not about opposition or one side against another. What I am trying to do, and what I will always proudly do, is stand up for and promote Northern Ireland. By the way, whether you identify as British or Irish and whether you are from the unionist community or the nationalist community, if you are from Northern Ireland, I am standing up for you and promoting this place. I am promoting all six counties. That is what I am about, and that is what I am doing. It is not about pitting one side against the other or the Irish language against Ulster Scots.”
“I thank the Member because, knowing that I am struggling with my voice, he decided to talk and talk and talk to give me a break. I am very grateful.”
“In the group, from the Department for Communities, we have officials from culture division and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI); the Executive Office; the Northern Ireland Bureau; the Ulster-Scots Agency; the North/South Ministerial Council; Invest NI; Tourism NI; Tourism Ireland; the US Consulate; and Historic Royal Palaces. Those were all selected because of the role that each of them has to play in telling the story of Northern Ireland and some of the existing connections that they have with the United States.”
“For North Antrim, a number of benefits can come from that, one of which is tourism. North Antrim is already a great draw for tourists, with such fantastic attractions as the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, both of which I used to work at many years ago. I want to see more visitors and want more people to know about North Antrim and other constituencies. There is also work to be done on genealogy. That can have a pull and bring more people over. <BR /> <BR />All that work is about raising Northern Ireland's profile and telling people our story of what we have done and what we still have to do.”
“There are a number of ways in which the Member's constituency will benefit. First, we have been highlighting the people who left these shores to go to the United States and whose descendants ascended to the highest office in the land. In his constituency, he will be aware of Chester A Arthur, whose father was born in Cullybackey. The homestead remains there to this day. I hope that we will be able to highlight the presidents who have come from here, including Andrew Jackson, whose parents came from my constituency. Of course, there are many others — 17 others — who have Northern Ireland connections. <BR /> <BR />What that also does is help put Northern Ireland firmly on the radar and increase Northern Ireland's exposure in the United States. That is important.”
“I have since written to those organisations, including the America250 commission, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution and the White House Historical Association, to welcome the opportunity to explore collaborative projects that will promote the unique historical links that exist between Northern Ireland and the United States. To that end, I have asked my officials to extend an invite to the interim executive director of the US Semiquincentennial Commission and executive vice president of America250 to attend a future meeting of the group. The working group continues to develop a programme with US partners to promote events in Northern Ireland and North America in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary commemorations.”
“The most recent meeting of the United States/Northern Ireland cultural working group was hosted by Historic Royal Palaces at Hillsborough Castle yesterday, Monday 25 November. National Museums Northern Ireland was invited to that meeting to update the group on its exhibitions and programming plans for 2025-26 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The meeting built on the relationships that I established with key institutions during my recent visit to the United States.”
“The Member will be aware of the regulations that I am progressing through this place. I think that it was just last week that I took through some of the additional regulations that came about as a result of the 2022 Act. We will introduce longer notice-to-quit periods, as set out in section 11 of the Act, which was mandated by the Assembly. The longest notice period that a landlord must give a tenant is eight weeks if the tenancy has not been in existence for more than 12 months, four months if the tenancy has been in existence for more than 12 months but not for more than three years, six months if the tenancy has been in existence for more than three years but not more than eight years, and seven months if the tenancy has been in existence for more than eight years.”
“I do not have timescales at this time. I hope that she recognises that I have limited resources. The staff in the Department are fully focused on this piece of work. It will be a challenge to complete what has already been agreed by the Assembly. However, we are determined to keep going and make sure that we have those changes in place by the end of the mandate.”
“There are many more. We need to be careful, because, if we introduce stringent restrictions, they sometimes require additional exemptions, which can open it all up again. I am trying to make sure that we get the balance right between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords and, in doing so, ensure that there is a supply of housing.”
“The Member is right to raise the situation in Scotland. Scotland tried to put in place what is, in theory, a no-fault eviction ban, but, in practice, it has been something very different. There are 18 exemptions and grounds on which a landlord can apply for an eviction order. The notice period for an eviction depends on the application ground and the length of a tenancy. Exemptions include circumstances in which the landlord intends to sell the property; he wants to refurbish it; he wants to live in it himself; a family member wants to live in it; he intends to let the property for a non-residential purpose; he wants to let the property to a religious worker; the tenant has a criminal conviction; the tenant is no longer occupying the property; there is a breach of agreement; or there is engagement in antisocial behaviour.”
“I understand the concerns that the Member raises, and that is why I am taking forward work with the reforms that were voted on in the Assembly in the Private Tenancies Act 2022. There is a duty on me to bring those into place in the first instance, and they will greatly increase security of tenure for individuals and their families in the private rented sector. We are in the process of progressing with that, and, if the House decides that further action is needed, that will, of course, be considered.”
“Those include improving fire and electrical safety, restricting the frequency of rent increases and introducing much longer notice-to-quit periods. <BR /> <BR />The key to meeting our housing challenges, however, as reflected in the number-one ask of Renters’ Voice, is increasing the supply of social and affordable housing. As I have said many times in the Assembly, increasing housing supply is my top priority, but it cannot be achieved by my Department alone. That is why a housing supply strategy, subject to Executive endorsement, will represent a significant step towards gaining the commitment and prioritisation needed from government to meet our supply challenges.”
“The sample size for the Renters’ Voice survey was low, and it may not be representative of all private rented sector tenants. Having said that, I entirely understand the negative impacts that both the fear of eviction and being evicted can have on individuals and families living in the private rented sector. That is one reason why I am committed to striking a balance through progressing a programme of private rented sector reform to strike that balance between the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. That reform programme will address issues around quality, affordability and security of tenure. I will take forward actions that explicitly address some of the particular concerns raised by respondents to the Renters’ Voice survey.”