Caoimhe Archibald
East Londonderry · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Taken together, that points to a scheme that is operating effectively in its early stages, while, of course, remaining under review as further evidence becomes available. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend to the Assembly the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure.”
“The 2026 regulatory impact assessment estimates one-off employer familiarisation costs of up to £1·36 million, with wider HMRC implementation costs forecast at £1·5 million and annual systems maintenance costs of around £10,000. It may assist Members to note that early implementation has gone smoothly.”
“The amendment ensures the continued operation of those regulations and forms part of a wider package of legislative measures establishing statutory parental bereavement pay as an entitlement for bereaved parents.”
“The regulations before the Assembly today are a key part of that implementation and ensure the continued operation of the statutory parental bereavement pay framework. The policy objective is clear: to support bereaved working parents at a time of profound loss and provide a minimum standard of protection in law.”
“<BR /> <BR />The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations before the House today have come into operation before the Assembly debate has taken place and must then be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 20 September 2026.”
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“We want to make sure that all our young people are supported to achieve their potential. That will require work across a number of Departments, including my Department, the Department for Communities, which leads on employability, and the Department of Education. <BR /> <BR />My Department runs a range of programmes aimed at supporting young people to thrive in training or employment. They include important entry-level programmes such as Skills for Life and Work and traineeships, both of which provide clear pathways into employment, particularly for young people who face additional barriers. My ApprenticeshipsNI programme remains a flagship programme, opening up opportunities for people of all ages, including through our pre-apprenticeship academies.”
“There will be a significant impact on the economic inactivity work that is supported by the fund and through Go Succeed, which provides entrepreneurship support. <BR />We are working to address those challenges but are still making the case that the funding shortfall in resource needs to be met and the split between capital and resource needs to be fixed.”
“I thank the Member for that important question. Everybody in the Chamber is concerned about the impact of the funding cuts as a result of the end of the Shared Prosperity Fund. The local growth fund does not meet the funding need, and the capital/resource split is really problematic and shows that Ministers in London are clearly not listening to the needs of our communities. The programme was clearly not designed with our interests in mind. Thousands of people will lose out as a result. <BR /> <BR />I have been working with my Executive colleagues to make our case. The Finance Minister has been leading on it directly with Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). We have made the case to the Secretary of State and urged him to support us in making the case to the British Government.”
“I thank the Member for that question. The Department actively promotes employee ownership as a way of delivering good jobs and strengthening our local economy. I have provided £100,000 to Employee Ownership Ireland to raise awareness of the employee ownership trust model and to support businesses that are exploring a transition to that model as part of their succession planning. <BR /> <BR />Early results highlight the benefits for employees that are generated by the model. For example, S&W Wholesale in Newry has given out over £1 million in staff bonuses since becoming employee-owned. There are really good examples of businesses that have taken up the model to the benefit of the business and its workforce.”
“<BR /> <BR />A support pathway has been produced that shows the five stages of business development of social enterprises and the supports available at each stage. It sets out for the first time a clear road map to help social enterprises navigate support more easily and effectively. Just this morning, I launched a new £30,000 fund and invited proposals to support the growth and development of cooperatives across the North.”
“I plan to publish a one-year update in the coming weeks that will show the significant progress that has been made on the social enterprise action plan. Of the 14 actions, five have been fully completed, and work is ongoing on the remaining nine. Social enterprise champions are in place in every council and in Invest NI and InterTradeIreland. They are working to support social enterprises on the ground as they navigate the supports in place for them. <BR /> <BR />Engagement events have been held to increase the understanding of social enterprises in the public sector. Those events have created a deeper awareness of social enterprises and their relevance for economic policy while highlighting the range of commissioning options to better support the sector.”
“Everybody around the Executive table recognises the need for that and has supported it, and the Finance Minister has consistently made allocations. If we had more money to put towards it, we would absolutely do so, but we are working to address a number of priorities. We recognise the real significance of addressing the challenges in respect of waste water infrastructure.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is being a little facetious. I am not prone to hyperbole, as some in the Chamber may be, but I assure the Member and everybody else that I am listening to the business community. I hear their concerns; I understand their concerns; and I am working hard with my Executive colleagues to make progress on them. <BR /> <BR />Engagement on waste water infrastructure in particular is reflected in our Programme for Government because of the emphasis and priority that the Executive put on it. Everybody in the Chamber is familiar with the challenges that we face with the Budget, but the Infrastructure Minister has consistently made the case for more investment in waste water infrastructure.”
“I thank the Member for her question. That is one of the issues that impact across all of our constituencies. The Executive have paid attention to it with the Bill that the AERA Minister is taking through. The issue is not just for the AERA Minister and me, given my interests from the Department for the Economy perspective. The Finance Minister is also considering it in terms of the rate relief for vacant properties. There is an opportunity there to look at how we can support regeneration. That would also need to have engagement from the Department for Communities to ensure that there is that joined-up approach to making sure that we tackle the problem and do not exacerbate it by anything that is being done to try to fix it. There is a real requirement for a cross-departmental approach.”
“Absolutely, but the emphasis that the Infrastructure Minister has put on it is clear to see. There has been progress, there have been improvements, and we want to see that continue to improve.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am sure that he expects not only Sinn Féin Ministers but all Ministers in the Executive to work collectively to address some of the many issues that we face. <BR /> <BR />I have had engagement on planning with my colleagues John O'Dowd, when he was Infrastructure Minister, and Liz. The Member, who is on the Infrastructure Committee, will be familiar with the planning improvement programme that is in place. Good progress is being made on some of the issues. <BR /> <BR />I agree that there are significant challenges. From experience in my constituency I know that businesses have faced delays in planning, which can be very frustrating. A lot of that comes down to the resource, not just in the planning service itself in DFI, but across statutory consultees. Good work is being done. Could more be done?”
“The regional property strategy recognises that a significant challenge facing new industrial development continues to be that limited capacity that I have been discussing with Ms Armstrong in relation to water and the waste water network. As I have emphasised, Invest has a strong, good, constructive working relationship with NI Water, particularly in relation to its own property holdings. There is ongoing engagement to understand the nature of the current constraints and to explore whether there are mitigations or other ways to overcome those. Invest is also open to considering whether the potential exists for coordinated strategic investment.”
“I thank the Member for the question. Although Invest NI does not have a direct role when it comes to derelict properties, its property assistance scheme offers financial support to eligible customers to enable them to develop new property solutions that align with any plans that they have for growth.”
“<BR /> <BR />As Economy Minister, I take a real interest in understanding where there may be challenges. I work closely with Invest NI, which has a good working relationship with NI Water when it comes to trying to work through some of those issues. I assure the Member that the issue that she raised is up there in my list of priorities and that I am trying to find solutions. That is why we have had that engagement with the Department for Infrastructure, the Minister for Infrastructure and NI Water. We are looking for ways in which we can apply innovative solutions to those issues.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I know that she has been engaged in correspondence with the Department for Infrastructure about businesses in Newtownards. I am not over the detail of those particular circumstances, but the management of the waste water network more generally remains an operational matter for NI Water. I understand that those businesses have been advised to continue to engage on the issue. <BR /> <BR />The broader point that the Member makes is an important one, and the Infrastructure Minister has clearly put significant emphasis on that issue. She has worked very closely with NI Water to try to make the best use of the budget available to free up capacity wherever possible, and to try to make investments in areas in which there is the potential to have a significant impact.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recently met the Minister for Infrastructure and NI Water officials to receive a briefing on a pathfinder project in Newry, where investment by a business in on-site waste water treatment technology is reducing pollution and freeing up capacity for development in the area. I am open to exploring how we can incentivise larger businesses to make similar investments, recognising the very significant budgetary constraints that we face.”
“The Executive's Programme for Government recognises that historical underfunding of water and waste water infrastructure has been a persistent challenge for economic development in the North. Water infrastructure is a critical enabler of industrial development through indigenous business growth and foreign direct investment. Invest NI maintains a strong working relationship with NI Water to understand network constraints and the potential for coordinated strategic investment and partnership aligned with its regional property programme. That 10-year programme represents a new approach to the provision of industrial land and property that will act as a key enabler to achieving a more regionally balanced economy. It will bring forward proposals that aim to refurbish and repurpose existing industrial building stock.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I agree with her about the introduction of carer's leave. There is broad support across the Assembly for that, and it is a really important for the many people out there who provide really important care for loved ones. <BR /> <BR />As I indicated at Committee last week, the drafting of the 'good jobs' Bill is well advanced. We are working to make sure that it is introduced in the Assembly at the earliest opportunity. As we indicated last week, we are hopeful that that will be before the end of March.”
“Yes. I thank the Member for her question. I am fully committed to introducing legislation to operationalise safe leave during this mandate, as I have made clear on a number of occasions. I hope that access to paid safe leave from work will help victims and survivors of domestic abuse to access vital support. I am aware of the time that has now passed since the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill was passed by the Assembly at the end of the previous mandate in 2022. Much of the delay in progressing that work has been down to the absence of an Executive during part of that period. I am, however, committed to putting the legislation in place, and my Department is working hard to deliver on that objective.”
“<BR /> <BR />My officials have been working really closely with HMRC to deliver the necessary system changes to support the new model and to ensure that those will be in place and fully operational from 6 April 2026. Importantly, the enhancement will benefit all those who are entitled to statutory parental bereavement pay, not solely those who qualify under the new miscarriage provisions. The regulations that enable that element are separate and will be laid, as I said, in accordance with the powers that are required to make them.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I can confirm that, yes, it will be a day-1 entitlement. <BR /> <BR />Alongside those regulations, I am bringing forward other regulations that will ensure that statutory parental bereavement pay, including any claim made under the new entitlement for miscarriage, will be available from day 1 of employment for all workers and employees who meet the earnings threshold. To support that, I am introducing a new approach that will allow entitlement to be based on actual earnings and, where needed, unexpected earnings, using reasonable assumptions, so that individuals can demonstrate that they meet the lower earnings limit even at the earliest stages of employment, which is another key commitment, and one that the Assembly agreed in 2021.”
“That right will be extended equally to women and their partners who experience a miscarriage, thus aligning with existing provisions for parents who suffer the loss of a child or a stillbirth and recognising the profound emotional impact that such losses can have. The overarching objective has been to establish a comprehensive and supportive framework for families as they navigate exceptionally difficult moments in their lives. <BR /> <BR />I encourage the Assembly to support the timely passage of the regulations without delay so that that important commitment to families can be met in full and so that the protections are available from April 2026.”
“I can confirm that the regulations providing for statutory paid leave in the event of miscarriage have been shared with the Committee for the Economy for scrutiny and will be laid in line with Assembly procedures at the appropriate time. That follows the publication of the official consultation response, which sets out the final policy position, as informed by the broad range of views received. It represents a really important milestone in delivering that much-needed entitlement. <BR /> <BR />It is essential that the regulations remain on schedule to ensure that entitlement to the new right will commence on 6 April 2026, thereby providing employers and employees with clear guidance.”
“I thank the Member for his questions. One of the challenges that we face with meeting that particular target relates to data. It is about understanding the data and ensuring that we have the right data to measure what we are trying to achieve. That work is therefore progressing. Just yesterday, I published the Department's consultation response on support for low-carbon heat, which sets out its future actions on efficiency and supports for low-carbon heat. In the near future, we will undertake a consultation on a support scheme, with the desire being to have one in place next year.”
“I am committed to working in partnership in the development of that project and all the city and growth deal projects and will ensure that my officials continue to support councils to navigate any challenges that they face as projects progress.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Connected Causeway project is really exciting and has significant potential. Tourism NI is working with the council to develop the business case for that project, which aims to address parking and traffic issues around tourism hotspots along the north coast. We will all be familiar with the Giant's Causeway and the rope bridge in particular, and the challenges across the summer months in that area. DFI's support will be important in finding the right solution for that. Officials in my Department have been engaging with officials in DFI to explore ways that DFI can support councils to develop proposals around that important growth deal project. DFI has committed to an internal review into traffic and parking issues to identify potential solutions that can be taken forward.”
“As I outlined, a lot of that sits more directly with the Infrastructure Minister's responsibilities for transport and the roll-out of EV infrastructure. However, there is also a key role for councils. A number have partnered with DFI to draw down funding to support the roll-out of EV infrastructure, which will be welcome. From a tourism and Tourism NI perspective, we will work to support councils in their tourism plans and are keen to engage on the type of infrastructure required so that we are joined up in our approaches across Departments to deliver the important elements of tourism and support sustainable tourism to deliver against the tourism vision and action plan.”
“<BR /> <BR />In November, I published my decision on fairer grid connection costs, which will see electricity grid reinforcement charges spread fairly across consumers and remove a major barrier to investment, particularly in rural areas where the network is often weaker and reinforcement more likely to be required. That will help to support the roll-out of modern, reliable EV infrastructure across the region. <BR /> <BR />Sustainable tourism will play a key role in delivering decarbonisation. Tourism NI actively promotes sustainable tourism through business support programmes, resources and campaigns, focusing on helping operators to reduce environmental impact.”
“The question relates more to an area that falls under the responsibility of the Minister for Infrastructure. Decarbonisation of transport, however, partly relates to my Department. <BR /> <BR />The Department for Infrastructure has advised that the provision and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is fundamentally commercially driven, with some grants available from the British Government. Local councils have availed themselves of funding from the Department for Infrastructure and the EV network operator Weev. It is for councils to determine the most appropriate locations. Notwithstanding that, decarbonisation is one of the key priorities within my economic vision, and my Department has a key role to play in supporting the network connection.”
“I am sure that we could set out what our position would be in relation to fiscal devolution. However, as I said, we need to have Executive agreement in order to move forward with devolution. That is not a difficult concept to grasp. As part of the interim fiscal framework with which, I know, the Member will be very familiar, there was agreement to proceed to engage around the principles of fiscal devolution, which is what the Finance Minister is trying to do. <BR /> <BR />The ESRI report provides very welcome evidence of economic trends across the island. Businesses are already seeing the opportunities in the all-island economy. That organic growth will be supported under my stewardship of the Economy Department, because that is in the economic interests of all our people.”
“It made recommendations, and those are the type of things that we want to see brought forward. I am sure that Members will appreciate that we need to have an Executive position in order to move that forward. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to the types of initiative that we could take, simply having fiscal powers, for example, on income tax, means that, if we take positive steps to increase people's incomes and prosperity, we would get the benefit from that, and it would not simply return to the British Treasury.”
“He has set out the scale of the challenge that we face when we look at our finances and the need to effect real change, as well as the significant opportunity for strategic planning that having the first three-year Budget in over a decade would bring. We need additional powers to control our own finances. Department of Finance officials are actively engaging with their Treasury colleagues in order to consider the scope of a full fiscal framework, with fiscal devolution forming a central pillar of that. The Finance Minister has made progress in that area. <BR /> <BR />I know that some Members in the Chamber might denounce the desire to have increased fiscal powers and might demand to know what it is that we want to do with them. As Matthew O'Toole mentioned, the Fiscal Commission published a report a couple of years ago.”
“<BR /> <BR />All four of my objectives are underpinned by investment in ensuring that people have access to economic opportunity through education and training. Last year, we invested an extra £12 million, through a flexible skills fund, in 20 different projects, supporting over 10,000 people and 500 employers. I have continued that support into this year, with a further £10 million invested across 15 projects, supporting over 8,000 individuals and 500 employers. In addition, I recently published a comprehensive skills action plan to ensure that there is a clear pathway for everyone to enhance their skills. <BR /> <BR />Members will be aware that my colleague the Minister of Finance issued a draft Budget for consultation earlier this month.”
“The ability of businesses in Fermanagh to avail themselves of the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand will bridge our tourism offering, North and South, and boost visitor spending in that part of the island. <BR /> <BR />On the delivery of net zero, overall emissions have been reduced by 31·5% since 1990, but we still have a considerable distance to travel. I am committed to bringing people with us as part of that process. The renewable electricity price guarantee will ensure that people living near renewable electricity generators get a discount on their bills. We are also promoting more green jobs through the green tech sectoral action plan and the green skills action plan. These are growth industries that help us to deliver net zero and develop our economy at the same time.”
“Invest NI is also responding to the regional balance challenge and has been challenged to increase the number of investments outside Belfast from 56% to 65% over three years. It is on course to achieve that target, and I am sure that Members will be pleased to hear that the gap between the lowest and highest earnings per council area has narrowed by 2% over the past year, indicating that progress is being made in tackling regional imbalances. In the north-west, the expansion of Magee is proceeding at pace. The Magee task force has delivered a comprehensive road map to reach 10,000 students. Having delivered a 22% increase over the past two years, we now have a record 6,500 students at Magee.”
“I have set out a broad framework as a starting point to make the most of our opportunities through AI. That follows investment of £16 million in the new Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre, which is a partnership between Queen's University and Ulster University. <BR /> <BR />On regional balance, my Department has established 11 local economic partnerships, and I have now approved four action plans, with the rest due to come to the Department for approval in the next few weeks. Those partnerships will directly support regional economic development. Importantly, they will also ensure that the Government have a clearer view of local needs and priorities and can respond accordingly.”
“To drive the growth of good jobs, we must raise our productivity, which is at least 20% lower than that of the South. I am very ambitious in my aspirations for our economic delivery, but the Member for Foyle, who wants me to turn our productivity around in two years, is even more ambitious. It will take some time to make a difference in relation to some of the historic underinvestment that we have seen that has led to poor economic outcomes. <BR /> <BR />Driving up business investment in technology and skills is essential, and we are supporting the growth of seven high-productivity sectors through the delivery of sectoral action plans. Through one of those sectors — cyber and software — we can really boost our productivity through artificial intelligence.”
“The ESRI report makes clear that we have ground to make up in comparison with the South on indicators of economic inactivity, living standards, household incomes and participation in post-16 education and skills. Those are areas on which I am focused through the delivery of the economic vision. I have set four clear economic objectives: creating good jobs; promoting regional balance; increasing productivity; and decarbonisation. <BR /> <BR />To safeguard and deliver more good jobs, my Department is taking forward the most significant improvement in our employment law in a generation. It will improve working conditions, strengthen trade union representation and help to prevent good employers from being undercut by competitors using poor working practices.”
“The more integrated that the all-Ireland economy becomes, the more that we can expect to see a convergence of performance. There is strong evidence that greater all-island integration is in our economic interests. Businesses have led the way on that and recognised the opportunities in trade and collaboration. It is important that the Government also recognise those opportunities and support businesses in maximising the economic benefits. My Department is working more closely than ever with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to ensure strategic alignment across key policy areas. That partnership is already driving progress through initiatives such as Shared Island and PEACE PLUS.”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite those positive trends, we continue to do less well than the South on a number of measures.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion. The ESRI report is a welcome contribution to the debate on how best to achieve our economic goals. It is worth pointing out that the North is outperforming Britain in economic output, earnings and export growth. <BR /> <BR />Key to our success is the rise in all-Ireland trade. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), from 2020 until 2024, sales from North to South increased by 128·5% to £5·5 billion. According to NISRA, the number of businesses in the North selling goods and services to the South increased by 11% between 2018 and 2023. The Chair of the Economy Committee is not in the Chamber, but, when he was setting out the east-west dimension, he left out the fact that more businesses trade North/South than east-west.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“As Economy Minister, I supported the bid from the beginning, and I intend to ensure that it delivers cultural and economic benefits for Belfast and for the North as a whole. I look forward to getting along to some of the events in August.”
“A good example of that will be work on transport, which will be key to the fleadh's success. Members will know that a number of Departments came together to pilot the Night Mover service. That initiative will provide reliable late-night transport for people who come into the city centre to enjoy the fleadh, and, as Gerry mentioned, it will support people to get home safely, including those who are working. Last year, we successfully hosted the Open Championship at Portrush, so a successful fleadh will further strengthen our international reputation for delivering world-class events. <BR /> <BR />I thank Belfast City Council and Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for bringing the fleadh to Belfast. I have had the opportunity to meet some of those who have been involved in organising it, and I wish them the very best.”
“Over recent years, we have had a lot of experience of and learning from delivering big events, and we have got pretty good at it. <BR /> <BR />As Members have reflected, Tourism NI will encourage visitors to extend their stay and experience other parts of the North so that the benefits are felt across our region. Visitors who have a good experience will be more likely to come back and more likely to encourage friends and family to visit here, so I encourage all businesses to keep their prices at a fair level and provide visitors with real value for money. <BR /> <BR />Many government agencies need to work together to ensure that the fleadh is a success. To that end, my Department and others will work closely with Belfast City Council, which is leading on the fleadh.”
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate and to welcome the 2026 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to Belfast. As many Members in the Chamber have already said, it is only the second time that the fleadh has been hosted in the North, so it is a hugely significant event. The fleadh is not just a competition but a celebration of music, culture and community. It also delivers a major economic boost that is estimated at over £50 million each year. Over eight days, hundreds of thousands of visitors will come to Belfast, which underlines the value of traditional Irish music in attracting tourists. Matthew and other Members talked about how successful the fleadh in Derry was in 2013 and expressed a desire for it to be bigger and better in Belfast, and I genuinely think that it can and will be.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“It is about ensuring that participants receive a fair payment in the interim while we move towards closure. It is the right thing to do. I appreciate the support that Members have voiced in the Chamber today, and I commend the motion to the House.”
“The whole point of a consultation is to take views on board. We will seek to do that in the coming days and weeks. We will, hopefully, be in a position to inform the Committee of the outcome of that in January. <BR /> <BR />Sinéad made a point about the tariff. Independent experts modelled the tariff to help support the Department to come to the figures that it has reached. The Department separately did its own analysis, which the expert input affirmed. We have had significant and extensive engagement with stakeholders, including participants and their representatives, to get to the position that we are at on the tariffs, which have broad support. I am content that we are moving in the right direction. <BR /> <BR />The measure is a stopgap, if you like, between where we are and where we will be when the closure legislation progresses.”
“I thank Members for their contributions to today's debate and for their support for the proposed regulations. I will pick up on a couple of Members' points. A number of Members referred to the principle of fairness. That is what we are trying to achieve. The regulations seek to address the level of the tariffs to make them fairer for participants and to protect taxpayers. Just to clarify, the £10 million figure is additional per annum, not just for the period between now and the end of March. Perhaps I picked the Committee Chair up wrong on that. <BR /> <BR />David Honeyford and Sinéad McLaughlin highlighted issues with the closure scheme rather than with the tariffs regulations that we are debating. We have heard the Committee's views. The consultation has just closed, and the responses are being considered.”