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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“My officials are working closely with Invest NI to develop a costed plan to deliver the service. I recognise the importance of ensuring that the service is accessible to all types of childcare providers, including voluntary organisations, community providers, childminders and childcare businesses. It is equally vital that the service operates continuously, enabling us to better assess the sector’s financial requirements. That ongoing approach will allow us to adapt our support to meet the evolving needs of childcare providers over time.”
“The 'Childcare Providers Targeted Business Support Market Research' report was published on 24 September 2025. My Department, in agreement with the Education Minister, is leading on recommendation 1:”
“I thank the Member for his question. As new and emerging trends continue to develop, it has become evident that some accommodation falls out of the scope of our regulatory remit and certification scheme. The consultation that I have referred to proposes the creation of a new stand-alone category called "alternative accommodation" in order to better support the providers who offer or wish to offer new types of accommodation and to regulate that accommodation. We are also engaging with booking platforms to encourage them to engage with us on new applications as they come forward. That is work in progress.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I mentioned, in my initial answer, the public consultation that we have just launched. We are looking at accommodation categories, such as budget hotels, aparthotels and glamping pods, to ensure that different types of accommodation are regulated and able to access support. I know of examples in my constituency where people wanted to access support for glamping pods but were ineligible for such support. There is a good opportunity for people to respond to the consultation so that we can make the appropriate changes.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Certainly, I am familiar with that issue in my constituency. It cuts across a number of Departments. The Communities Minister is bringing forward our housing supply strategy, and he intends to launch research to understand the impact of short-term lets on the local housing market. That research will help inform all the Departments involved about the types of measure that they may need to take to regulate and control the proliferation of Airbnb rentals that we are seeing.”
“Any property owner who wishes to use their property as a short-term let or an Airbnb rental must apply for a change of use through their council's planning department. The council can then assess the impact on local housing supply when considering whether to grant that change of use. Tourism NI has a formal data-sharing agreement with Belfast City Council to facilitate exchange of information about the certification of tourism accommodation. That ensures that both parties are aware of potential legislative breaches and can progress appropriate enforcement action on both sides as necessary. Tourism NI is working to put in place similar data-sharing arrangements with all other local authorities.”
“That review highlighted how our world-class tourism offering has evolved over recent years. In response, I recently launched a public consultation on proposed changes to future-proof the tourism industry's minimum standards and improve visitor satisfaction.”
“My Department regulates the minimum quality standards for visitor accommodation across the North. It makes regulations to set standards for such areas as cleanliness, maintenance, essential facilities and comfort that operators must meet. <BR /> <BR />Airbnb is a marketing platform, just as Tripadvisor and Booking.com are, and is used to advertise a range of accommodation types. Most properties that use the platform fall within the scope of Tourism NI's statutory certification scheme. Under that scheme, Tourism NI ensures compliance by inspecting all new accommodation establishments before they begin operating, and re-inspecting existing businesses at least once every four years. My Department and Tourism NI recently completed a review of the scheme's statutory criteria.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In some regards, councils are best placed to develop specific initiatives for local areas, because they will understand exactly what attractions they have and what initiatives can be developed. Tourism NI has a suite of marketing support and business development tools that can be utilised by businesses and others to focus on the specific messaging around America250. <BR /> <BR />Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland have already outlined their promotional plans for the year to the America250 partner teams. The Minister for Communities has announced funding to support activity that is intended to draw out and promote the historical connection between the North and the United States. There are therefore opportunities to work across councils to develop a promotional offering.”
“I am not sure that I have the information that the Member is asking for in front of me, but if she wants to write to me, I will be happy to furnish her with an update on that project.”
“The US market plays a vital role in tourism in the North. Statistics from NISRA show that, in 2024, US visitors took 189,000 overnight trips to the North, spending £67 million. There is a significant opportunity to work with Tourism Ireland across the island on marketing and promotional activities that will be effective in building on the continued trend of US visitors coming here. <BR /> <BR />There are a number of key opportunities across the year — St Patrick's Day, for example. There is also a campaign under the branding of "The Home of Halloween" — obviously, we have a significant asset in that regard in the city of Derry. There is a significant opportunity to build on the success that we already have in attracting visitors from the United States.”
“There are opportunities to be garnered from America250 and the clear linkages across this island with people who emigrated to make a better life in America and whose descendants have come back and want to find out about their history and heritage. I am happy to engage on whatever opportunities and initiatives there might be.”
“That collaborative approach will ensure that plans for America250 are tourism-focused, using visitor interests such as Irish and Ulster-Scots heritage, genealogy, music and literature, sport, screen and US presidents. Tourism Ireland will also use this opportunity to encourage more US visitors to come here to explore shared ancestry, history and heritage.”
“We have numerous existing tourism products that embrace the opportunities that America250 brings, and we recognise the links between America and those of Irish and Ulster-Scots heritage. Those, as well as their links to the story of America, are showcased on the America250 page on Tourism NI’s websites. Among the relevant key attractions are the Ulster American Folk Park, Hillsborough Castle and the Ulster Folk Museum as well as the Siege Museum and the Tower Museum in Derry. Both Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland are represented on the America250 working groups along with a number of partners including PRONI, DFC, the Ulster-Scots Agency, National Museums and local authorities.”
“It is the type of initiative that the local economic partnerships are based on and is a demonstration of how successful that approach can be.”
“Since its launch in November 2023, Go Succeed has demonstrated a significant impact across the North, empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses with tailored support and expert guidance. It has helped thousands of individuals to turn ideas into viable enterprises, contributing to local economic growth and job creation. It has had a transformative effect at local level, and I am particularly pleased to see strong engagement from female entrepreneurs who have been supported through the service. I have had the opportunity to visit and meet businesses that have been supported by Go Succeed, and I have been really encouraged by the feedback that they have provided. The mode of delivery, working alongside councils, local enterprise agencies and other partners, is a really good example of collaborative working.”
“I agree with the Member. It is absolutely regrettable and disgraceful that we are in this position again. When the European social fund (ESF) ended, there was a cliff edge, and we said that we did not want to see that again. I have consistently made that case, as has my colleague the Minister of Finance, to the British Government, and I know that there is unanimity around the Chamber on the issue. My priority is to ensure the continuation of the funding of Go Succeed from the local growth fund. It is vital that the service is not interrupted or delayed because of the lack of information that is available to us. Therefore, I continue to engage at ministerial level, as I said, to ensure that such a scenario is avoided.”
“That risks significant harm to projects such as Go Succeed that are delivering important services currently funded using resource under the SPF. I am keen to ensure that there is continuity of service and that any disruption to businesses and entrepreneurs due to a gap in funding is avoided. My officials are urgently coordinating with the Department of Finance, councils and other stakeholders to determine next steps.”
“Go Succeed is an important part of the business support landscape and provides essential advice and guidance to anyone looking to start or grow a business. It is a council-led service and is funded through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). It was expected that the successor of that funding would be transferred to the Executive following the British Government's spending review announcement in June. I met Enterprise NI in September to discuss the future of Go Succeed. While I am ready to establish a co-design group to consider improvements to the service, clarity is needed on its future funding position. I am concerned that the new local growth fund appears to be heavily skewed towards capital, with only 33% resource funding. That is significantly lower than for the Shared Prosperity Fund, which was 75% resource-based.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is right: I published the rates review, and one of the things that I said at the time was that I would be inclined to look at non-domestic vacant property rate relief. That would be a useful vehicle to incentivise businesses back on to our high streets but only if it was done in partnership with regeneration. There is a real opportunity to work cross-departmentally on that issue as to how we revitalise and rejuvenate our high streets. The rating system is the main lever that we have to generate revenue, so we have to carefully balance when we are trying to make changes to it.”
“It is incumbent on us as elected representatives to engage with the LEPs, to advocate on their behalf and to make them aware of the priorities and projects that other LEPs are developing so that there can be a sharing of knowledge. I would encourage that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The increased focus from Invest NI on indigenous businesses and the subregional economic plan is a good vehicle for trying to address some of the challenges that he has outlined. The LEPs represent an opportunity to ensure that there is more investment and job creation and that the priorities of each of the LEPs are being taken forward. It is up to the partners around the table to bring forward their priorities and to develop an action plan to support those. As I mentioned, I had the opportunity to meet Ards and North Down LEP just after it was established, and progress is being made.”
“The benefit of the LEPs, the positive about them — the beauty of them, so to speak — is that they are devolved to local areas to come up with what, they feel, are their economic priorities. If there is a particular initiative that they want to take in respect of town-centre regeneration, that is for them to include in their action plans. The funding allocated to each of the LEPs is designed to support them to leverage additional funding from other Departments. We encourage them to build those relationships across Departments, as well as working directly with us and our officials.”
“There is a wide range of actions being brought forward by the partnerships that are intended to address identified local economic needs. Proposals include business support and mentoring, workspace development and tourism initiatives.”
“I thank the Member for his question. No, I do not think that it is a failure. It was necessary to give the partnerships time to establish themselves and come up with their priorities. We want the partnerships to be genuine. Therefore, they require different lengths of time. Some councils already have good relationships and similar arrangements in place on which their partnerships can build. Others are starting from further back and will take longer; hence, I suppose, the difference in where councils are with their action plans. We have ensured that the spend is spread over the three years and that we follow the trajectory of the spend, with the lesser spend in year 1 meaning that spend works its way through years 2 and 3. We want to make sure that they will deliver for people on the ground.”
“On the basis of the latest estimates from councils, approximately £1·5 million of the regional balance fund will be spent in year 1, with the majority of funding being weighted towards years 2 and 3. <BR /> <BR />Mid and East Antrim LEP is currently refining its action plan with a view to submitting a final version to the Department for approval in the coming months. In September, I met Ards and North Down Borough Council to hear more about the LEP following the partnership's inaugural meeting. I know that the partnership intends to meet again in October to develop its priorities further and identify project proposals. <BR /> <BR />My officials and Invest NI colleagues will continue to support all partnerships in developing their action plans over the coming months.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 1, 8 and 11 together. <BR /> <BR />Local economic partnerships (LEPs) represent an entirely new approach in how the Department works with local government and other local stakeholders. It takes time to instil genuine partnership. The three-year programme allows for the flexibility required to establish LEPs and bring forward action plans that address local economic needs. <BR /> <BR />LEPs have been established in all 11 council areas. Progress varies across the partnerships, with some still refining economic priorities while others are finalising action plans. Newry, Mourne and Down LEP is the first to submit an action plan to the Department for approval. I anticipate that more will follow soon.”
“As I said to other Members, there will be an inspection regime, a declaration and a requirement to provide information and records annually in order to ensure that the heat that is being generated is being used for useful purposes. <BR /> <BR />I ask Members for their support to agree the Bill's Second Stage so that it can be referred to the Committee for the Economy for more detailed scrutiny. I am sure that officials will be happy to engage on the questions that Members posed throughout the debate. I assure the House that my Department will provide whatever support the Committee requires in order to complete the Bill's Committee Stage. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. As I said, tariffs to be paid to participants have been developed based on the period that was deemed to be most fair. The Member will be well aware of the trajectory of the cost of fuel post COVID and beyond. The 2017-19 period therefore represents what is considered to be the best period for fair usage. It is after the time at which the unfair tariffs that resulted in overpayments had been corrected, and it represents a time at which there was a fair price. That is why that period has been used to predict the way forward with payments. <BR /> <BR />The payment that will be made will cover the production of heat, but maintenance and the cost of fuel will also be taken into account.”
“The regulations will include both elements, and they are currently being consulted on. He also raised the issue of cost. The projected cost of £196 million is the maximum cost and is based on all participants taking up the offer of payments. That applies certainty to the amount that the proposed scheme is going to cost. As I said previously, it also gives us the certainty to be able to engage with Treasury about utilising the unused AME. <BR /> <BR />I am grateful to all those who contributed —.”
“A lot of work has been done by officials and participants' representatives over the past number of months to get us to the position where we have a set of proposals that has the broad endorsement of those who will be in receipt of the payments. That was important work for us to do in order to get the Bill to this point. We then had to engage with the Executive on agreeing a way forward. Thankfully, Executive colleagues have endorsed a way forward. Once we have consulted on the regulations, we will return to the Executive to seek final approval. <BR /> <BR />I will respond to Mr Gaston's comments, albeit some have already been dealt with in my responding to other Members'. He mentioned participants having the ability to appeal and asked whether there will be enforcement.”
“As I set out, Treasury has advised that it will need to review the detail of any future proposals to ensure that they are in line with the original policy intention, which, obviously, as I mentioned, was renewable heat. Heat pumps, for example, were part of the original RHI, so that will be consistent with the work that the Department is progressing and in line with the original policy intention. I imagine that a new support scheme will need to be consulted on. We hope to do that in 2026 and be in a position to spend in the 2026-27 financial year. <BR /> <BR />Mr Honeyford also asked why we have introduced the Bill at this point. Obviously, we had to get Executive approval for our proposals.”
“We are trying to strike a balance where we give certainty about the funding that will be required to allow us access to the AME and where we are fair to both participants and taxpayers about what we are doing.”
“That gives us the ability to know what excess AME we will have to access to introduce an additional scheme in line with similar principles. <BR /> <BR />The Member raised some questions around why, on the one hand, we were continuing to pay participants over a number of years but how, on the other hand, we can make sure that they are using the heat for useful purposes. If we did a one-off payment, there would be no ability to ensure that the heat is being generated for useful purposes — that the appropriate safeguards are in place. That is one of the reasons why we are taking the approach that we are taking — to have such an inspection regime in place; to have the declaration; and to have the requirement for records to be shared annually — to releasing the payment.”
“On what Treasury has agreed to so far, it is aware of what was proposed in the business case and is content with that. We will have to re-engage with Treasury about accessing the AME that will be freed up. Treasury knows that it is our intention to do so. I am sure that the Member and all other Members will know that, when you deal with Treasury, it wants to know what your exact proposals are before it will give you a commitment about whether or not you can access the funding. We need to be in a position to know what amount of funding will be utilised out of the existing AME. That is why it is important that we have certainty on what the annual payments will be. The process that we are setting out on "deemed" heat as the way of calculating the payments allows us to have that confirmation of what the required funding envelope will be.”
“I dealt with some of David's points in response to the Committee Chair on the question of why we are keeping the payments going.”
“Yes, I thank the Member for reminding me of that question. Mr Honeyford raised a similar question in relation to the AME. We have to have the RHI scheme closed and certainty on the way forward for it in order to engage with Treasury about the AME that will then be accessible. Treasury is aware that that is what we intend to do and is content to engage with us on using that AME for a purpose that is in line with the original intent of the scheme: renewable heat. The Department will bring forward proposals on how we will make use of that. <BR /> <BR />Emma and Sinéad were both broadly supportive of the direction of travel, although I do note Sinéad's caveat in her comments. I know that Sinéad will scrutinise the legislation as it goes through Committee.”
“There is an opportunity for the Chamber to do as it did last year and vote the regulations down because a draft affirmative process is in place for the regulations that are to be developed. <BR /> <BR />How we will monitor the use of the meters has been described, both in the consultation and when the officials attended the Committee. There is an intention to have an inspection process in place. Those will be physical inspections, and the participants will be required to sign an annual declaration and provide information that confirms that the installations continue to be used for useful purposes. I think that I have dealt with the Committee Chair's questions, but if he wants to intervene, I am happy to take his intervention. Go ahead, Phillip.”
“Certainty on what the payments will be annually is key to unlocking the AME. That brings me to another of the Committee Chair's points: why are we taking this approach? It is because we want to ensure that we finally deal with the RHI scheme in a way that is fair to participants and taxpayers and will also give us the ability to access AME funding that we are currently unable to access and to put it to good use. <BR /> <BR />As for the regulations, I am happy to commit to the Committee Chair that, when we have those, we will share them with the Committee so that it has the opportunity to scrutinise them appropriately. Obviously, the Bill that we are debating today gives the Department the power to develop regulations, but those regulations are still subject to the scrutiny of both the Committee and this Chamber.”
“I will try to respond to the various points that Members made in the debate, and I will start with the Committee Chair. If I do not cover all your points, feel free to come in. Why not allow the scheme to continue as it currently is at the level that it currently is? The Member will be aware of previous court proceedings, where the judge indicated that the tariff needed to be amended. We have worked alongside industry experts to develop the proposed tariffs. Those have been modelled and described by departmental officials and Professor David Rooney to ensure that where we are proposing to go with the tariffs is the correct way forward. <BR /> <BR />As for metering, if we continue to meter, we are not effectively closing the scheme: we are not giving certainty to what the payments will be on an annual basis.”
“It provides the Department with the powers that will be needed to bring forward regulations under the draft affirmative process, setting out arrangements for closure. As I said in my opening speech, those arrangements remain under development. The public consultation is currently seeking views on the proposals to ensure that closure is implemented in a way that achieves fairness to participants and, more widely, to the taxpayer.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank Members for their consideration of the Bill. Whilst the Bill does not make any changes to the scheme directly, it is an important step towards fulfilling the New Decade, New Approach commitment, which was endorsed by the current Executive, to close the scheme.”
“The two sections do not, however, provide the Department with the powers to close the scheme. That is why the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill is needed. Without it, my Department is not in a position to deliver on the NDNA commitment or to implement the Executive's agreement to close the scheme. I therefore commend the Bill to the Assembly.”
“The proposals are out for public consultation from 29 September to 24 November and best balance the three objectives of closing the scheme, of fairness for legitimate participants and of fairness for the taxpayer. Indeed, no party has put forward alternative proposals. <BR /> <BR />The immediate matter at hand is the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill. The Bill is short and technical in nature and does not directly amend any aspect of the scheme. Rather, it will provide my Department with powers to make regulations that will formally close the scheme and establish a new framework for legacy payments. The Department's existing powers for the RHI scheme are set out in sections 113 and 114 of the Energy Act 2011. Section 113 enables the Department to establish:”
“That model has been independently validated by Professor David Rooney. My officials have made themselves available to any Member who wants to go through the calculations in more detail. Once the methodology for closure payments is decided on, the next question is whether to provide a one-off payment or to stagger the payment until the end of each participant's original 20-year accreditation period. Staggering the payment has two benefits. First, it would allow us to use the unutilised annually managed expenditure (AME) sooner. Secondly, it would allow us to check that the boilers are still in use. I have therefore opted for staggered payments. <BR /> <BR />My Department is working urgently to introduce a set of regulations ahead of the coming winter period to apply the same tariff rate that will be used to calculate the closure payments.”
“I will speak briefly to that, as it sets the context for today's debate on the RHI (Closure of the Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill. <BR /> <BR />My Department recently launched a public consultation on the closure arrangements. The consultation is seeking views on the proposed approach to closure of the scheme, which will be set out in regulations. With closure, Ofgem will no longer administer the scheme or take quarterly readings. Participants are, however, entitled to a closure payment. <BR /> <BR />My Department completed a review of tariff levels and payments over the lifetime of the scheme. The period 2017 to 2019 represents the least distorted and fairest time frame of historical usage that is in line with the support scheme's policy intention. Payments are therefore to be based on that period.”
“I apologise in advance: I might have a coughing fit in the middle of my speech, as I am getting over a bad dose. <BR /> <BR />On 22 September 2025, I provided the House with an update on the work towards the closure of the non-domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme, in line with the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement and the Executive's agreement that the scheme should be closed. With your indulgence, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle,”
“Significant investment has already been made to support the joining of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coastal route. That will help to bring more tourists to our amazing coastline. My Department's officials are also working closely with their counterparts in Fáilte Ireland on Ireland's Hidden Heartlands to bring together the Shannon-Erne waterway and allow the Fermanagh region to benefit from that popular tourism route. <BR /> <BR />The legacy of underinvestment will not be fully addressed overnight, but my Department and I have put a credible plan in place to promote regional balance, and progress is being made. That work will continue, because everyone should share the benefits of prosperity.”
“<BR /> <BR />The investments in Belfast, Newry, Dungannon, Omagh, Kilrea, Ballymena and Derry help to deliver well-paid, highly skilled jobs in every town, city and rural community. As Economy Minister, I will build on that positive momentum, because everyone, no matter where they live, should have an opportunity to build a life here at home for them and their family. <BR /> <BR />My focus on supporting our tourism sector is also key to achieving regional balance. Of all employment in our tourism industry, 70% is based outside Belfast. The tourism vision and action plan, which was co-designed by my Department in partnership with the industry, is being implemented. As part of that plan, my Department is working with Fáilte Ireland to ensure that the North can benefit from its all-island regional brands.”
“That will enable it to grow its maintenance division and increase sales in the South. In Dungannon, Mackle Snacks invested over £6 million to expand its factory, enhance automation, boost productivity and create more good jobs. That was the first investment to be supported by Invest NI's new agri-food investment initiative. <BR /> <BR />In Omagh, almost £3 million of investment by Lagan Energy will grow its team by 30 roles over the next few years as it continues to expand its footprint in the global renewables sector. In Kilrea, Hutchinson Engineering has invested almost £12 million in new equipment that will further boost its productivity and support growth. In Ballymena, Invest NI has supported CIGA healthcare to secure almost £3 million in international contracts.”