Daniel McCrossan
West Tyrone · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. She has raised some points of interest. Aside from the Bill at hand, the Department of Finance currently collects rates from property owners across Northern Ireland. I have found that there can be difficulties with that when properties have been lying vacant for a significant period.”
“That applies in particular to those who have been land-banking over a period of time — that happens everywhere, unfortunately — with the hope that the big cash cow will be coming and, ultimately, they will be relieved of their responsibility to maintain, look after and enhance the landscape in a town or village by spending the necessary f…”
“As is often the case when we speak in the House, it may be that some ratepayers or members of the public will take it as a given that the Bill will be the silver bullet that will resolve the dilapidation issues in towns. Depending on which area you are in, the scale is very different.”
“We need to be creative in how we can put the Bill to task. <BR /> <BR />Certainly, as I have said, it is good policy. I have no question that the Bill is well intended.”
“<BR /> <BR />Addressing dilapidation is not simply a matter for local government in isolation. The responsibility lies with the Executive as a whole. The Executive have had their eyes closed to this matter for too long, and many of our buildings have deteriorated significantly across council areas over a long period.”
“That encourages private investment, and there is natural enhancement from those investors. However, in areas that lag behind because of economic decline, underinvestment and general deprivation, many towns and cities can quickly become the poor cousin.”
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“— just a wee second — and how much of that money actually reaches schools, because the pressures are certainly continuing. I give way to the Member.”
“We have to decide what is fit for purpose in Northern Ireland, and, when it comes to education, we certainly have to start asking questions about the Education Authority, the money that is spent, the money that is offered —”
“In the absence of the institutions, the Education Authority, with all of its horror stories, mishandled quite a number of documents in relation to vulnerable children with special educational needs. It was advised, according to a whistle-blower, to deliberately not date-stamp correspondence because it knew that it could not get the thing resolved in time. One principal said:”
“<BR /> <BR />As other Members have articulated today and the Chair of the Education Committee did in yesterday's debate, special educational needs face crisis conditions. Vulnerable children and their families are being failed continually. Over the last three years, there has been a 20% increase in statemented children and a 19% increase in the number of non-statemented children who have been identified as having special educational needs attending mainstream schools. However, very little funding has been allocated to ensure that their educational needs are sufficiently met. We need to get this right. We need to ensure that our education budget is properly reflective of the needs of children with special educational needs. That brings me to another point.”
“A remedy is certainly needed because it is damaging the morale of our teaching workforce, classroom assistants and principals in every school across Northern Ireland. I do not need to explain to Members that teachers, principals and classroom assistants are the bedrock of our education system. Our teachers lay an important foundation in the life of every child, helping children to build a future. They do a tremendous job despite being underpaid and facing significant pressures as the demand increases and challenges continue. I would like to thank, on the record, the many teachers who have gone through those tremendous challenges. They have been underpaid for the last number of years but have continued to step up, show leadership and put the interests of children first.”
“I sincerely hope that the Minister will find a resolution very quickly to ensure that those hard-working people — our hard-working people — get what they are rightfully entitled to. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, during the debate on the Vote on Account and Supplementary Estimates, I outlined the vast pressures facing our education system and the issues threatening the very future of our children. The very fact that the education budget needs over £700 million by 2022 compared with this financial year paints a dark and depressing picture for all in the sector. Yesterday, I referred to the teachers' pay dispute, another sore that has rumbled on, leaving teachers without their rightful entitlement to a pay increase that they should have had long before now. As the delay continues, the bill increases. It does not make any sense.”
“That brings me to my point. Civil servants have been striking outside offices and places of work for their rightful entitlement to a pay increase that has been withheld from them for a number of years. The restoration of the House offered some hope to quite a number of public-sector workers, but the news of a £600 million shortfall will have dampened spirits. We have debates and discuss the absence of the institutions, but it is important that we recognise at all times the contribution of our Civil Service and its workers. Those are the people who, day and daily, keep the place running and keep our services running, and they have done so in very challenging times.”
“Civil servants ran this place in the absence of the institutions for three years. In the absence of elected, accountable politicians, civil servants were told, "Step up. You fill the void. You take the decisions. You make the ship go on". In light of the circumstances and challenges that they faced, they did a fantastic job. Given the circumstances and challenges that they faced, against their wishes on many occasions, we should be thankful that we have a Civil Service that worked and continues to work so hard.”
“Mr Wells seems to have had a new lease of life since he left the DUP Benches, and it suits him as well. <BR /> <BR />Members will be well aware that, in the wider public arena, the view of this place has been at an all-time low. Public confidence in this place is non-existent. People are hopeful that we can do something in the next few years to alleviate the considerable pressures in our public services, which have worsened in the absence of the institutions and the House, and the absence of parties working together to deal with the challenges. <BR />.”
“We are talking about bypasses, and the Member will find that the north-west — the west, in particular — has been bypassed by this place for a long time. I want the Member to acknowledge that the reason for the exceedingly high cost of the A5 is a minority group known as the Alternative A5 Alliance. It has spent the past number of years derailing the project for its own self-interest. That has cost lives, and it has cost a huge amount to the taxpayer. Ultimately, it has led to significant increases in the cost of a vital infrastructure project that would develop the entire island.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that, on a map of Ireland — specifically, the North — there is a clear black spot with regard to infrastructure? There has been a clear deficit, lack of investment and abandonment by the House for a long, long time. That has to be resolved. Building the A5 is a key step in doing that. That road is very dangerous. Since 2006, some 34 people have died on it — 34; 15 of those died in the last four years. The House needs to recognise the importance of that. I hope that the Member does as well.”
“I am listening to the Member and am fascinated by his remarks. Surely the Member will recognise the phrase "high horse" about the statements being made when you consider the spending and lack of budgeting in the past in RHI and Red Sky by his party's Ministers.”
“Has the Minister any plans to review the distances required to satisfy school transport? There are quite a number of pupils in my area who just miss out. They live in very rural and dangerous parts of the constituency. They could not possibly consider walking to school and do not have any access to any form of transportation.”
“<BR /> <BR />West Tyrone has also long suffered from an infrastructure deficit, and I am well on record in talking about the A5 and the huge issue that it presents to the health and safety of my constituents and those travelling across my constituency. The A5 needs to be delivered. It has been an issue for a long number of years, and people's lives have been lost as a consequence of the dangerous road that is there. <BR /> <BR />The House, with proper leadership and political will, can deliver on the many issues that we face, but our children, who are the children of today, should not be the generation that loses out because of a political failure of the House. We have a responsibility to those children and to the people whom we represent to deliver more for all who support those children and for our teachers.”
“We see that in particular places, and I will talk about Strabane, where an out-of-hours GP service does not exist. People are forced in difficult situations to attend the A&E at Altnagelvin Hospital, which is already under huge pressure. <BR /> <BR />We have also seen very little done to tackle deprivation and poverty, which are crushing families locally. Many children never realise their dreams and ambitions or utilise their full potential. I know that more and more families are struggling. Benefits cuts have forced people into poverty. In my constituency, families have been forced to use food banks. Is that the society that the House wants to see, or are we going to do something about it?”
“That is the number that has been documented. That has far-reaching consequences for the school, for the community but, in particular, for the other pupils. We need to have a fundamental look at how we fund mental health services in our schools, as we continue to face a suicide pandemic across the North. In West Tyrone, we are no strangers to that. I have sat at the funeral of many young people who have taken their life, and I have seen the ripple effect and consequences of that across the entire school and the community that is there to support the family and grieve for that loss. We have not seen proper investment in mental health services, with many people forced to attend hospitals due to the lack of services in our communities.”
“Although I welcome the Minister's additional £10 million investment in special educational needs services, there is a long way to go to ensure that no child with special educational needs loses out, but we are at a starting point at last. There is greater demand, but that demand has not been met with greater resources in recent years. I hope that the Minister, who is back in place, leaves no stone unturned to ensure that those services are properly and adequately financed. <BR /> <BR />There are also funding pressures surrounding mental health services in our schools and pressures in tackling a range of issues surrounding deprivation and its impact on our children's education. It is absolutely shocking that, since 2017, there have been 25 critical instances where schools have been impacted by suicide.”
“We should not be in this situation. It is important for the Chamber to understand that teachers not only do their own job but almost act as parents to many pupils in their role as a role model. They are almost like nurses and doctors in the classroom. They are like counsellors to the young people who need the necessary support, and they ensure that children receive a proper meal in the day. It is teachers who identify those serious issues. <BR /> <BR />Teachers in schools are also struggling to deal with special educational needs, with massive investment needed to ensure that vulnerable children receive the proper support and care that they need.”
“It is deeply concerning that over £400 million is needed to tackle immediate pressures in the education system. That figure was provided to the Committee by the Education Minister the week before last. While demand and costs have increased, our education budget has flatlined. Our schools cannot continue to, or be expected to, deliver increasingly better results against what are decreasing real-term budget cuts. <BR /> <BR />Teachers have also been left out in the cold in terms of receiving a fair pay increase for the work that they do. That is an unforgivable situation given that, when you look at teacher pay in Wales, England and Scotland, you see that teachers here receive way below what they should be receiving. They deserve a pay increase, and I would like the Minister to ensure that that happens as swiftly as possible.”
“We have had a perfect storm bubbling for the past 10 years due to inadequate funding and real-term cuts that were worsened by the absence of these institutions for three very long and challenging years — a time when teachers and principals had to struggle along without any proper funding support for their schools.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will now address the debate as the SDLP's spokesperson for education and as the MLA for West Tyrone. As Members have clearly articulated, our public services are crumbling. They are falling apart. They are on their knees and, in many areas, on life support. The pressures facing health, education, housing and our welfare system reached crisis point long ago. We in the Chamber must offer more. We must deliver on the mandate that we have been given, and we must ensure that our public sector delivers effectively and efficiently for anyone who needs it. <BR /> <BR />In education, our teachers, as already mentioned, schools and children are being failed.”
“Similarly, we have asked the Public Services Ombudsman to what extent it makes use of those services. The Audit Office also makes use of the Strategic Investment Board and construction and procurement delivery to assist in its accommodation project in order to ensure that the necessary expertise is utilised in such a key project for the organisation's future. <BR /> <BR />The Audit Committee has sought assurances from the NIAO and NIPSO and, in due course, will do likewise with the Assembly Commission to ensure that, once that meeting takes place, effective financial management processes are in place to avoid overspend and minimise underspend going forward. The Committee looks forward to fulfilling its important statutory function.”
“The Committee noted that further recruitment will be required over the next two years to ensure that the Audit Office is adequately staffed to meet its strategic objectives going forward, including staff resources to address the needs of the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />The Audit Office also had a reduced capital requirement of £290,000 due to adjustments to the timetable associated with the refurbishment project and costs associated with the procurement of a design team. At the meeting last week, Committee members probed the NIAO officials on the financial implications of the Audit Office's refurbishment project, given the anticipated increased costs to the capital budget. In the case of the Audit Office, members were assured that appropriate use is being made of NICS shared services.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given that and other implications of the commissioner vacancy, the Audit Committee wrote to the Assembly Commission asking for a recruitment timetable. The Committee, in its evidence session with the Audit Office officials and C&AG, noted that, as a result of the changes to the NIAO budget position in 2019-2020, there was a resource saving of £981,000. Officials explained that this was due to the continuing significant reduction in staff costs following staff leaving through the voluntary exit scheme and natural wastage over recent years. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has sought further information on the Audit Office's contribution to in-year monitoring.”
“The other reduced requirement related to, as I mentioned, NIPSO's local government ethical standards function. That has arisen primarily from the suspension of adjudication activity owing to the post of commissioner being vacant since July 2019. As Members may be aware, the Ombudsman also holds the role of Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards, which includes the function of investigating complaints of alleged breaches of the local government code of conduct. Although investigations into alleged breaches of that code have gone ahead in the absence of a commissioner, there has been an enforced pause of the adjudication aspect of the role as it could not be delegated to the deputy ombudsman. Additional funding for that function could not be spent as adjudications could not be taken forward.”
“Officials explained that the reduced requirement from the January monitoring round related to moneys allocated, not all of which could be spent effectively in-year due to the non-recurrent nature and mid-year timing of receipt.”
“That was due to a combination of two main factors, plus a number of miscellaneous cash flow adjustments. The main factors were, first, a reduced requirement of £248,000 declared in the January monitoring round in respect of maladministration complaints handling and, secondly, a transfer of unspent moneys, amounting to £250,000, to the Department for Communities in respect of NIPSO's local government ethical standards function. A cash flow adjustment of £250,000 related to the technical treatment of the landlord contribution to refurbishment work in NIPSO's office. During last week's evidence session with NIPSO officials, I questioned them further on the detail of the reduced requirements from 2019-2020.”
“At the Audit Committee's first meeting on 13 February, it took evidence from Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) officials, including the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), and officials from the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO), including the acting ombudsman. The Committee has not yet had an opportunity to take evidence from the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission. My comments, therefore, will cover only issues about the Audit Office and the Public Services Ombudsman. <BR /> <BR />During the briefing on 13 February, members had an opportunity to question officials from both organisations about changes to their budget position for 2019-2020. First, the NIPSO had a £756,000 reduction in its net provision from Main Estimates to Supplementary Estimates.”
“I know that the Minister feels strongly about this, particularly given his background in the farming sector. I was on the ground throughout that week or 10 days and have seen some of the scenes that you described. I do not know whether you have seen some of the video footage that exists. It was hugely devastating to the north-west. Minister, when Primark went on fire, the Departments closed ranks quickly and provided necessary funding for Belfast city centre. The view is that that did not happen in my constituency. Will the Minister accept that there is a clear disparity, when it comes to the north-west, for funding of crises such as that, particularly given what happened at Primark and the public funds that were allocated to the crisis that faced Belfast at that time?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. She will know very well that, some years after the bomb, Omagh and its people, its community and its town are still suffering from that devastating event, which took the lives of so many innocent people and has haunted Omagh ever since. Will the deputy First Minister consider joining the First Minister in visiting Omagh to meet community groups and seek out some funding to support the regeneration of Omagh town, which has still not recovered from that dreadful event?”
“Today, as I stood waiting for Séamus's remains to come to the church, I was met by the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, and I watched as they walked down the road together. Today, I can say that I think that there is some hope for this place and for the future. I thank you for that very strong symbol you showed today. I am sure that Séamus is smiling down saying, "God, I can bring them together." <BR /> <BR />Thank you to everyone, those who attended and paid tribute. May he rest in peace.”
“I felt that it was important to say a few words and to express my sincerest condolences to Orla, his son-in-law, Mark, and his little granddaughter, Lara, whom he talked about so often. He was a family man. He cared very deeply for them and loved spending time with them. <BR /> <BR />John Dallat struck a very strong chord with me in his contribution and tribute to Séamus. We have so much to learn from the man who sat on these Benches some years before us, working together and reaching out for the common good of everyone here. This is 'A Shared Home Place'. I put on record my heartfelt sympathies to Séamus's family and friends and to the entire constituency of Newry and Armagh, which will feel the pain of this loss very much. I thank the Members of this House.”
“<BR /> <BR />I sat today in Mass and listened to the amazing tribute to his life. He had a profound influence on the life of so many of us. He is certainly a reason that I joined the SDLP. He is a reason that I love the SDLP. He is also a reason that I and others will be able to work and live together, side by side, across Northern Ireland. We will never see the like of Séamus Mallon again. He was a truly inspirational man and a man of peace and integrity. He was a man who was extremely blunt. I heard Dolores say that she liked straight-talkers: well, Dolores, as many will know, is quite a blunt instrument herself at times.”
“I follow on from the tributes that have been made in the House and thank our colleagues across the Chamber for their very sincere tributes to the memory of a great man. We do feel it today. We have felt it since Friday. It is a very sore and painful point for us, because we know fully the commitment, dedication and life work that Séamus put in to bringing about these institutions, paving the path to peace and the Good Friday Agreement. He used his relationship with Hume to bring about a better future for everyone in this place. I speak as a member of the new generation of the SDLP. I am surrounded by many on these Benches who, in more recent years, have been lucky to enjoy the peace — the imperfect peace — that we have thanks to the vision and life work of Séamus Mallon.”
“While the Government intend to cut the Northern Ireland parties out of the Brexit process and out of having anything to do with the Northern Ireland protocol, it is important that we send them a strong message from this House. It is important that we strongly tell them that we do not endorse this deal. We will not be walked over, and we will not let all the rights and freedoms be taken away from us without a fight. The restoration of this Assembly and our politicians working together, united in this capacity, is vital. <BR /> <BR />We need to utilise any leverage we may have to ensure that our protections are not removed against our will. We need a strong relationship with a new Southern Government to ensure that, in terms of the EU, we are treated fairly and equitably. The SDLP supports the motion.”
“All of these things are adding additional costs, resource requirements and huge concern for businesses, many of whom are already operating with fine margins. <BR /> <BR />I have no faith that this Tory Government will act honourably and offset this financial burden. The most recent behaviour of the Tory Government shows that they do not serve our interests here, they never have served our interests here and, certainly, in the future, will not prioritise our interests or those of the people of the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Last week's amendments to protect business here were struck down by a huge Tory majority in Westminster, and it leaves us, in this Chamber, with a very important role to play to shape the future of trade on this Island.”
“While it is positive that the withdrawal deal does not place a de facto border across the island, it creates economic implications for trade with GB, which could hamper businesses and the economy here. The SDLP has serious concerns over the Northern Ireland protocol and the lack of detail that it provides. Last week, I was glad to see the North's MPs, including my party leader Colum Eastwood and colleague Claire Hanna, come together in the House of Commons to support amendments to ensure that the North has unfettered access to GB markets. This has major implications for businesses trading between GB and Northern Ireland who must provide declarations on animal health, VAT tariffs, standards, rules of origin and, perhaps, rules of destination.”
“Despite the Prime Minister's promises, it will swallow up resources and funding, which means that public services will take a hit. That will have a long-term knock-on effect here as well, as is well-documented in the concerns of my fellow Members. <BR /> <BR />Businesses in my constituency of West Tyrone are, rightfully, fearful as to what Brexit will bring to them in tariffs, extra costs and bureaucracy. For three years they have felt voiceless, and I am sure I speak for many who feel joy at seeing this place restored to give them some voice to the challenges we face. That view is reflected right across the entirety of this island, with grave uncertainty facing our agri-sector, manufacturing, SMEs and many other industries. <BR /> <BR />The withdrawal Bill does little to alleviate those concerns.”
“<BR /> <BR />In that regard, and having had no representation in this Chamber for three very long and difficult years, I first of all thank the EU 27 for their solidarity in ensuring that the North and its people are protected as far as possible from the worst impacts of Brexit. <BR /> <BR />As a representative of West Tyrone, a border constituency, and as a Strabane man who lives just a short distance from the border and Lifford, I know full well that there is no such thing as a good Brexit and that there are no positives to come from a British-imposed exit from the European Union. Brexit creates barriers to trade. It is silent on workers' rights and on social justice. It will inevitably damage Britain's economy and cause significant collateral damage to Ireland, North and South.”
“Before I contribute, I welcome my colleagues to the House and congratulate them on their maiden speech. I know that Sinéad and Matthew will be powerful advocates for their constituencies and Northern Ireland more widely. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to contribute by supporting the Executive motion and my party by not giving the British Government our consent over the withdrawal deal. I am glad the Executive have finally been able to show a united front on Brexit, regardless of our political backgrounds, and, equally, I am glad that parties have finally started to listen to business, civic society and the public, who have long voiced their concerns over Brexit and its impact here.”
“First, I welcome the Member back to the House and congratulate him on his recent appointment. Will the Member agree that Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, and the Tory Government can obviously not be trusted when it comes to these matters of debate in relation to Northern Ireland's future in the European Union and also general matters in relation to this place, as we have seen from most recent behaviour?”
“It was in line for a new school, and I know that there was hope that that would be the case. Will that still be the case, dependent on the level of funding given to the school, or will this simply replace that original proposal? <BR /> <BR />Also, just before I finish, a former principal of Strabane Primary School retired this year. Mr David Canning gave 38 years of his life to the children in Strabane, and he was principal of that school for 26 years, so I put on record my appreciation to him as well.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome you to your new role, and I welcome the Minister back into his role. First, Minister, may I thank you for a job that you did three years ago, just prior to the collapse of the institutions, at Cloughcor school? You kindly accepted my request to visit. Those works have taken place, so I would like to put on record my thanks to you. I also put on record my appreciation to Derek Baker, who has done a tremendous job in a very challenging situation over the last few years in the Department of Education. <BR /> <BR />Many points have been made about moneys awarded to schools. Mine is focused on a former school of mine: Strabane Primary School. I attended it 20 short years ago, and, since then, it has not changed very much.”
“First, where is the money, Minister? Secondly, do you not feel that the many promises that you have made are letting people down? You are about to walk out of office, as your party has done, collapsing with your love partners in the Executive. What do you say to those families, Minister? They are waiting on the sidelines with people on waiting lists for operations and everything else. You are politicking, and people are in crisis. It is time that this issue was taken seriously, and I do not think that your party is doing that.”
“Thank you, Minister, for answering the question. You did not answer it earlier, and I am not enthused by your answer, nor will be the many people and families who are listening, sitting on the sidelines, disappointed and disgusted that we still have not got answers about this money.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister outline why the Omagh jobs and benefits office did not get the IPCC jobs, considering it has a telephony system already in place? Is the Minister concerned that a number of the current employees in Omagh failed to get jobs in other offices, which clearly shows that these staff have been disproportionately impacted the punitive welfare cuts and the rationalisation of the welfare state?”
“For that reason, I welcome fully the Minister's statement today. It brings some clarity to this long-standing issue. I am glad that today's regulation has come forward and that Sinn Féin has finally listened to the SDLP and others who have highlighted the debacle for some time. I welcome today's announcement.”
“The regional rate includes such water charges. We do not need any additional charges for families at this time. However, Sinn Féin will be most uncomfortable of all due to the fact that a total of 26,510 meters were installed in family homes on former Minister Conor Murphy's watch. We have seen the highest level of hypocrisy; Sinn Féin continued to oppose water charges in the South — it even protested on the issue very strongly publicly — while, all along, behind the back door, Conor Murphy was installing meters. Why he allowed such proliferation of water meter installments during his stewardship of the Department for Regional Development will remain a question from our party. <BR /> <BR />When we consider the significant financial challenges facing the Department, we see that we cannot continue to preside over wastage on this scale.”
“I welcome the regulation brought to the House today by the Minister. I thank him for his expediency in bringing forward the regulation to end the installation of water meters in domestic properties. It is a welcome development in what has been somewhat of a scandal in recent years in the North; over 40,000 water meters have been installed in domestic properties, which has cost the taxpayer here in excess of £13 million. The revelations have made for uncomfortable reading, especially for the underprivileged families in our society who are struggling to survive, pay bills and make ends meet; they were worried about that train coming down the track and the uncertainty around whether water charges would be applied. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP has always been and will continue to be completely opposed to water charges for domestic properties.”
“I will be very quick. I thank the Member for clarifying the 10,000 figure, but it will be about five years before we see that come through. What will the list be like then? Does the Member have concerns about that?”