Catherine Seeley
Upper Bann · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for her comments. I welcome this order, which, as the Minister alluded to, enables consumers to make more informed choices. A recent survey demonstrated that 90% of consumers look at the rating of the premises compared with the 22% who look online.”
“However, I believe that the positives far outweigh this, as the onus to openly display the rating and the opportunity for an upgraded rating will undoubtedly encourage businesses to make the necessary improvements.”
“In response to a question for written answer regarding departmental actions in tackling the stigma, the Minister of Health informed me of a recent workshop to consider key sexual health issues; HIV awareness training in health and social care trusts; and the funding of a number of voluntary organisations that raise awareness and provide i…”
“Through education and increased awareness, we must encourage people to look after their sexual health — in particular, young people. <BR /> <BR />In the North last year, 9,600 people were diagnosed with STIs — further evidence that we need to educate to ensure that all of us, including young people, make positive choices about our own sex…”
“I welcome the motion, which we will, of course, support. <BR /> <BR />World Aids Day takes place this week, so the motion is timely and will, no doubt, be welcomed by those impacted by the disease and organisations such as Positive Life and the Rainbow Project.”
“<BR /> <BR />Those suffering often do not share the fact that they are living with a life-changing condition that has an ability to impact on their mental well-being and overall quality of life, but we must also increase awareness of the causes, symptoms and living with HIV.”
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“The resource in our communities is too significant to ignore, but any embracement of this notion must receive endorsement from our Education Minister. It seems that we have achieved that endorsement today, and I encourage him therefore to replicate best practice in west Belfast and mirror it in schools across the North. <BR /> <BR />In addition, it is vital that our schools move from an era of competition to one of cooperation. Efforts around the achievement of the entitlement framework have demonstrated what can be achieved when we open our school doors to others. Sadly, this is not consistent across the North. Schools should not simply choose whether or not to open their doors to others; they should be obliged to do so.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am glad that the Minister specifically mentioned education other than at school (EOTAS) and the sterling work that is going on there for our children with additional needs, including behavioural problems. This kind of joined-up approach will offer children the opportunity to grow, learn and develop into fully rounded individuals, moving focus beyond academia to incorporate spiritual, physical and mental development. <BR /> <BR />As Chris Lyttle said, it takes a village to educate a child, and I am also impressed that he was the Member today who quoted Nelson Mandela. Schools should open their doors to communities and parents. Schools alone should not have to shoulder the huge responsibility for tackling underachievement.”
“Often, school principals and their staff are well ahead of the game, but we need to create the framework for strong and secure partnerships with a range of organisations in order to deliver a personalised learning experience for every child and young person. This must include, as has been stated, further education colleges, youth and social workers, health professionals, voluntary sector providers and training providers, including employers, as my Upper Bann colleague noted. Indeed, the Member from Fermanagh and South Tyrone mentioned parents. I have noted the positive impact that parental engagement can have on a young person. In fact, if a parent has engaged, the child's experience of education can be totally transformed.”
“The West Belfast Partnership has demonstrated what can be achieved when there is a coming together of minds. Any failure to replicate such a high level of success would be unforgivable. However, I am aware that the Minister has targeted resource and investment to advance this, though, at this stage, only in the Belfast area. I will do all in my power to persuade the Minister to deliver programmes similar to this across the North, particularly to my constituency of Upper Bann, where I believe they would be hugely impactful. <BR /> <BR />Many local authorities and schools are already exploring partnerships.”
“An example of that working is in the report published by the Minister of Health today: partnership in education and health helping to raise attainment for looked-after children by achieving in Key Stage 1 at level 2 or above a 7·5% increase in English and a 7% increase in maths. <BR /> <BR />Intervention, as mentioned by Rosemary Barton, a past teacher who has first-hand experience of the classroom, works best when it is done early and when a multi-agency approach takes place outside the formal classroom setting. I, too, have witnessed this as a teacher.”
“That has influenced the notion that schools may not be able to improve further when working in isolation. As such, the idea of linking schools with other stakeholders and networks has become more prevalent, further signalling that we need to move towards having a more joined-up approach if we are to support and motivate children and young people to achieve their full potential. <BR /> <BR />It is therefore vital that we come together to ensure that those children requiring extra support and encouragement to achieve receive it and that students at risk of low attainment or underachievement secure intervention in a timely and appropriate manner.”
“<BR /> <BR />Active learning has played a pivotal role in transforming the classroom environment. However, a classroom environment is not conducive to all. Children have different learning styles. Although many of those can be catered for within the school day, some children require additional and targeted support to reach their potential. We owe it to those children to explore opportunities for them outside the formal classroom setting. <BR /> <BR />To further that, as was stated by my party colleague, the 'School Inspection in a Polycentric Context' report in our packs — I thank the Research and Information Service for those packs — notes that some educationalists have concluded that, alone, our education system can do only so much to tackle underachievement.”
“I commend my party colleague John O'Dowd for responding to societal changes and how that has impacted on how we deliver education. Differentiation, the entitlement framework, increased access to vocational subjects, and the extended-schools programme are all a testament to that. I am confident that the current Education Minister will continue in that vein. <BR /> <BR />In spite of all of that and the sterling efforts of our dedicated and committed teachers, increased class sizes in an era of Tory austerity, red tape and admin demands have undoubtedly impacted most on those children from socially deprived backgrounds. They are the very children who need education the most in order to break out of the cycle of poverty and deprivation, particularly children on free school meals, as the Member from Mid Ulster mentioned.”
“My colleague Jennifer McCann is immensely proud of what has been achieved, and rightly so, when she was quoting figures such as 11·4% and 12·7% in GCSE A* to C attainment, including English and maths. She noted, and I concur, that schools are only part of a child's education. We need to educate our children for life, and I do not think that we can do that within the confines of the formal school setting. <BR /> <BR />I, too, have been impressed by what has been achieved in West Belfast, so much so that I recently tabled a question to the Education Minister to ask that he consider funding a similar project in my constituency of Upper Bann. I look forward to his response. I am sure that it will very positive, as all his responses have been. <BR /> <BR />The face of education has transformed in recent years.”
“I welcome the positive comments from right across the Chamber and the cross-party support that the motion has received. I thank my party colleague for tabling it. I thank the Minister for being here with us this evening. I have to concur with his remarks about the height of my party colleague Barry McElduff. <BR /> <BR />On a more serious note, it is great to hear not only his support but a number of positive comments that inspire confidence, in particular those about the ongoing work on assessments, and the cross-departmental work with the Department of Health on that. <BR /> <BR />I commend the efforts of the West Belfast Partnership Board, which is one of the reasons why we are debating this motion.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and welcome the work that has gone on behind the scenes to get us to today. She has made it clear in the past that mental health is a priority of hers. Will she set out her plans in relation to mental health and how we can achieve parity of esteem for it?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I have made our position on the motion clear and given the House an explanation for it. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that today's motion will give faith and hope to our nurses — those who work endless hours, some unpaid, some without a break — that we, their government representatives, care. I say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of those nurses on every ward across the North.”
“The amended motion does not mention workforce planning, so we are unable to support it. The proposer of the motion specifically mentioned midwives in his opening remarks, so we are content that the original motion includes and gives plenty of focus to midwives.”
“I encourage the Minister to continue with the implementation of her Department's 10-year nursing and midwifery workforce plan, which will prove key in ensuring that we have an appropriately resourced and skilled nursing workforce to meet the needs of our population.”
“The web-based nursing and midwifery career framework, used to promote the North as an employer of choice for existing and future staff, will prove crucial to that. Local recruitment initiatives are being progressed regionally, including job offers to all year-3 students in training, streamlining, standardisation of recruitment processes, and open advertising by trusts of vacancies. The increased investment in the return to nursing practice programme, delivered by Ulster University, to 48 places per year is further testament of the Government's commitment to addressing nursing shortages.”
“In her answer, she also outlined her plans to increase the number of nurses being trained over the coming years. Despite this, and in the immediate term, there are increased demands on nursing services due to an ageing population, increased complexity of patients, and development of new models of care. In the North, 31% of the workforce is aged 50-plus. We must respond to that knowledge now, not in later years when it is much too late and retirement sends our health service into crisis. <BR /> <BR />I welcome recent comments that the Minister intends to make the North an employer of choice by attracting nurses to work here and encouraging our students to stay here. The retention of nurses must remain a priority.”
“It is important that we, as their representatives and their Government, respond to that in a manner that inspires hope and confidence whilst recognising, acknowledging and commending the invaluable work that they do. <BR /> <BR />I want to send out a very clear message to nurses across the North today: your Minister does care, your Minister is aware of your daily struggle, and your Minister is responding. <BR /> <BR />We do not have a problem attracting people into the nursing profession: for every nursing undergraduate place available, there are in excess of 10 other applicants. Therefore, I welcome the Minister's recent response to my question regarding the bursary in which she committed to maintaining it, at a time when the British Government intend to move to a loan.”
“I contacted that nurse in advance of this debate. She told me that nurses are mostly drained and hopeless and that they face more and more strain and pressure every day. Watching their backs at every turn in a blame culture, enjoying very little positive feedback or recognition, despite working their fingers to the bone and bladders to bursting point. She described her children as spending early mornings and late evenings in childcare, all the while their mum or dad is saving lives or, at the very least, making lives better. She said how degrading it can be but explained that the guilt that they feel about letting society down keeps them going to work, tirelessly, every day. Although this story is not unique to the North, there is no doubt that our nurses are under immense pressure.”
“I thank my colleagues in the DUP for bringing forward the motion today, which we will, of course, support. Last week was International Nurses Week, and a local nurse posted a comment on social media marking this. She noted that:”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Will he confirm that, as well as staff working on fraud, resources and an overview are given to looking at error?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer and her honesty. Following that conversation, will she come back to us to explain whether she intends to initiate a review of the legislative framework concerned?”
“I welcome the Minister's response. Does he agree that, if Brexit does mean Brexit, China will become a very important ally in building the economy here in the North?”
“I thank the Minister for her response and welcome her intention. Given the current shortage in nursing, will the Minister consider increasing the numbers of student nursing places at our local universities?”
“— of a cancer strategy. I urge the Minister to move swiftly to transforming how we deliver services to ensure better outcomes for all.”
“That is the message that we should be sending out from the Chamber today. It is a message of assurance to all those with suspected cancer and their loved ones that our Health Minister, health trusts, healthcare professionals and hospitals are not only aware of the issue but doing all that they can to improve the outcomes for those diagnosed with cancer. <BR /> <BR />Despite huge changes to our demographics over the past 20 years, our health service has remained static. That is the real issue. I therefore welcome the Minister's comments from earlier this month when she said that she is minded to work towards the delivery —”
“Trusts need to help each other out, sharing resources and good practice for the well-being of all. Health outcomes should not be a postcode lottery. However, when trusts do exactly what we ask — responding to and dealing with perceived crises in a positive and timely manner — they should be commended, not ridiculed, in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's response to the question for urgent oral answer on 4 October on this very report, in which she assured Members:”
“It is for that reason and because of its flawed nature, not to mention the complete lack of proposals in the proposer's opening remarks, that we are unable to support the motion in its current form. <BR /> <BR />The Opposition seem to be keen to cry from the sidelines, offering nothing by way of substantial proposals to problems that they identify. It is hugely unhelpful to scaremonger by suggesting that patient safety has been compromised. Frankly, it is an insult to our hard-working and devoted healthcare staff. The recent actions of those in our health trusts to address issues in the Southern Trust are an example of what can be achieved when trusts work together, providing additional clinics and extending working hours. That, of course, highlights the need for cooperation, as opposed to competition, between our trusts.”
“Thank you. I thank the Member for his intervention. Of course I accept that the problem is not new. The Minister accepts that the problem is not new. I welcome the fact that the Minister will address the problem with much gusto. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has already been questioned on Southern Trust figures. She not only detailed actions taken but noted subsequent improvements — improvements that the motion chooses to ignore. That is nothing short of appalling. I took the time to contact the Southern Trust. It assured me that the problem highlighted in the motion was a temporary one as a result of staffing issues and that the matter has since been resolved. The trust is now back at 100%.”
“As the Minister stated, four out of our five health trusts are doing better than the targets set. <BR /> <BR />I will give way.”
“The Assembly has already noted the recent publication of cancer waiting times. Indeed, the Minister noted that the figures are the result of wider systemic pressures in our health service — pressures that she has committed to alleviating. Let us not kid ourselves: this is not an unprecedented crisis. The trends of increased and sustained demand are due to an ageing population and increased referrals, and that goes back years. That is largely due to increased awareness resulting in early detection and enhanced outcomes.”
“<BR /> <BR />From charities to nurses, surgeons and clinicians to health trusts and, indeed, the Department of Health and Minister, tireless efforts are being made, day and daily, to improve the health outcomes of cancer patients. We should never underestimate the commitment and dedication of our healthcare professionals. However, that is precisely what the motion does. Its focus is on statistics that the Minister herself published as part of an overarching report on cancer waiting times earlier this month; statistics that she admitted in this very Chamber were simply not good enough; statistics that she was extensively questioned on and provided detailed answers to a matter of days ago. Sadly, our friends in the Opposition were not listening on 4 October when the Minister addressed the very issues detailed in the motion before us today.”
“Cancer touches the life of so many on this island and indeed right across the world. In recent times, I have lost three relatives to cancer. I have no doubt that I am not alone in that. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the sterling work of the Marie Curie nurses who look after the terminally ill. It is also worth noting that this month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I want to commend the work of Action Cancer in its screening efforts. I encourage all women, particularly those who are over 70, to book a screening appointment today. I have also been hugely impressed by the lobbying efforts of Margaret Carr, public affairs manager for Cancer Research.”
“I am sure the Minister appreciates it is very difficult to question him on a 109-page draft we are yet to see, but I am sure he will offer us future opportunities to do so. I seek assurances from the Minister that the document is not merely a charter for closures and amalgamations.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response and, indeed, his support for marriage equality. What allowances does he propose to make for those who do not want to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies?”
“<BR /> <BR />Moving forward, I hope that phase 2 of the business improvement districts will include our towns in Upper Bann. I also call for the creation of retailer hubs, similar to the digital and innovation hubs that exist, as well as the further empowerment of our councils, particularly given their planning powers. Finally, we need targeted funding toward the development of our chambers of commerce, so that they can play a proactive role in the regeneration of our towns. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for being here today and showing interest in this motion, and I thank the Minister for Communities for being here as well. Other Departments will need to be involved if we are to truly address the problem.”
“We must bring derelict buildings back to life, not just by tidying them up but by encouraging traders, as well as offices, educational facilities and councils, into them. All of this will increase footfall throughout the day, supporting our businesses as more people buy local. <BR /> <BR />Some of the retailers I met during the summer recess complained that many of the successful and worthwhile Invest NI initiatives focus on manufacturing, exports and niche markets, but we must ensure that programmes are devised and aimed at supporting our retailers. None of this can be achieved in silos; we need a plan. We need regional government on a cross-departmental basis, working with local government and working together with traders, to invest effectively in our town centres, bearing in mind that every town centre is different and unique.”
“<BR /> <BR />I touched on the importance of a night-time economy: our towns should not be ghost towns as of 5.00 pm. From 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm is one of the few time slots for growth in town-centre footfall, yet our shops are closed. We must look at incentives to keep them open.”
“<BR /> <BR />Councils should be duty-bound to employ full-time dedicated town centre managers to focus on marketing, increasing footfall and encouraging businesses and offices into our empty buildings. Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has a business engagement programme, and during my time as a councillor I signposted many struggling businesses to that programme, which was often the difference between a business remaining open or closing its doors. That programme is now under threat as a result of funding pressures. Programmes such as that must become the norm. I call for a marketing strategy like the one deployed in Lisburn and online strategies such as Dungannon's Get Online campaign to be extended to the towns in Upper Bann.”
“In the short term, that will, of course, require further investment, and I want to acknowledge the investment that this institution has given to our council over the years. The investment must go beyond the tidying-up of shop fronts; it will require forward and long-term thinking. For example, fragmentation is one of the key issues facing our town centres, and developing them on the basis that we develop our cities is a must, with restaurant quarters, market areas, a night-time economy, strong transport links and good Internet connections. We need to look at rates and how retailers can get more from them, with marketing initiatives — many have simply asked about their bins being lifted or about their water — and reduced rates for start-ups. .”
“I will use a particular example of a trader in Lurgan who trades across the border and is worried that it will be impacted on by tariffs that traders may have to pay and that she will lose that business. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, town centres are not competing on a level playing field, and they need our help. They are a significant part of our national and local economy and provide jobs, distribute goods and services and are a place of investment. This is investment that we cannot afford to let slip away. Our town centres are much too valuable to our economy and to our local community to be left to market forces alone. To see their contribution to the economy and society being steadily eroded is concerning, and we must do all in our power to reverse that decline.”
“Yet, town centres are the social centres of our constituencies. They offer people the opportunity to meet, talk and, more importantly, buy local produce. It is the very character of our town centres that gives our constituencies their identity.”
“They work tirelessly to draw down funding and target it where it is needed most. They listen to and engage with our retailers and are developing a tourism strategy around our town centres. It is often their innovative ideas that breathe some life back into our town centres. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, however, that is not the reason that I rise in the Chamber today. I rise as a result of extensive lobbying during the recess from small and medium-sized businesses in our three town centres — Lurgan, Banbridge and Portadown — that are concerned for their future and the erosion of our town centres, despite the endless efforts of the many people I have mentioned. We are all too aware of the problems such as rates, lack of parking, decreased footfall, competition from shopping centres, the Northern Irish weather and more recently Brexit.”
“There is nothing quite like the meat from Jim McCann's and Finty O'Hagan's, the fruit and veg from Hendersons, the unique gifts from Danann Crafts or the mouth-watering food from our bustling restaurant scene. I also want to commend the efforts of Banbridge and Portadown's chambers of commerce. The Finance Minister recently met Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and witnessed at first hand the sterling work that they do. Hopefully, he will accept an invitation to meet the Portadown Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Lurgan retailers in the coming months. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I want to praise the officers of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. We have the second largest council in the North. I meet them regularly, as I am sure my colleagues from Upper Bann do.”
“I am proud to be from Upper Bann, which sits just 30 minutes outside Belfast. We have excellent rail links, although they could be improved if they were extended to Armagh; great access to the motorway; numerous booming industrial estates, with big names employing many; and many huge tourist attractions, including Oxford Island, the people's park, Lurgan park and Brownlow Castle. It truly is a place where we can work, live and play. <BR /> <BR />I want to take the opportunity to commend the businesswomen and businessmen of Upper Bann, who work tirelessly to contribute to our economy. Endless hours are spent, often simply making ends meet and surviving from one month to the next. Our bustling side streets with our independent retailers, butchers and veg shops are the heart and soul of our towns.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does he have awareness of the view of our LGBT groups in relation to having a sexual orientation question included in the census?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. What engagement has he had with the Education Authority on special school budgets and the supposed time frame for those final drafts?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that the amendment seeks simply to allow the Minister complete scope to explore a full range of options, rather than being prescriptive and therefore limiting her in being able to carry out some sort of scrutiny role following the outcome of the debate?”
“<BR /> <BR />Eight years ago, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended that additional resources and improved capacities be employed to meet the needs of children with mental health problems, with particular attention to those at greater risk, including children deprived of parental care, children affected by conflict and those living in poverty and in conflict with the law. It said it again this month. It is time that we acted for our most vulnerable.”
“The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child earlier voiced its concern that the number of child suicides has been steadily increasing in the North in the past 10 years. In addition, a recent report detailed how one in five of our student population have self-harmed due to feelings of loneliness and anxiety. It is therefore imperative that, as well as addressing gaps in provision and appointing individuals to roles, we tackle the many root causes of mental health issues, including unemployment and homelessness. That has to be a priority for us all.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is no forensic inpatient paediatric psychiatric provision in the North, and there are limited inpatient adolescent facilities. Children with complex mental health needs are often moved out of this jurisdiction to access specialist child and adolescent mental health services. We continue to admit and treat our children on adult psychiatric wards. That is not in their best interests and must cease immediately. Furthermore, it is estimated that 10% of children between five and 15 years old have a significant mental health issue and that there has been an increase of 70%, in the last 25 years, in the number of teenagers with depression and anxiety.”