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 also engaged constructively with stakeholders, including scheme participants, and I thank all who were involved. I can now confirm that the Department of Finance has approved the business case and that the Executive have agreed a way forward. <BR /> <BR />My Department will now move to publish a public consultation on the closure arrangements. The consultation will run for eight weeks. At the earliest opportunity, my Department will introduce in the Assembly a Bill that will clarify the Department's powers to close the scheme. I then intend to bring a paper to the Executive in December 2025 to confirm the closure regulations. Subject to the Bill's passage through the Assembly, it is my intention that new regulations will take effect by April 2026.”
“I will update the Assembly on the closure of the non-domestic renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme. Members will recall that 'New Decade, New Approach' (NDNA), which formed the basis for restoring the Executive in 2020, included a commitment to close the RHI and replace it with a more effective decarbonisation support scheme. Its closure was not progressed in the previous mandate, however, and, in its absence, over £100 million of funding for renewable heat has gone unutilised since 2020. The issue has assumed even greater urgency, as Ofgem will stop administering the scheme from April 2026. <BR /> <BR />In July of last year, the Executive affirmed their commitment to closure. Subsequently, my Department has been developing a business case that contains significant technical and legal detail.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I note the point that Mr Honeyford made about people who take a chance on starting their own business and the challenges that they face and his point about family homes. That issue can be discussed further as the Bill is scrutinised in Committee. I look forward to hearing the feedback from Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />I am really grateful to those who have contributed to a helpful debate on this important legislation. I ask the Assembly for its support in agreeing the Second Stage of the Bill so that it can be referred to the Economy Committee. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“The Bill will streamline and modernise procedures to make the management of insolvency proceedings more efficient, which, in turn, will improve returns for creditors. <BR /> <BR />I will touch briefly on some of the issues raised in the debate. In fairness, few additional issues or points of contention were raised. That reflects the process of consultation and engagement with the Committee that was gone through to get the Bill to this stage. We will certainly take on board the commentary about that when we engage on legislation. <BR /> <BR />Members across the Chamber have recognised that the Bill will address some of the issues in order to update and modernise, our legislation, tackle unnecessary bureaucracy, bring things more into line with modern ways of doing business and improve transparency.”
“I thank Members for their consideration of the Bill and their contributions to the debate. I am pleased to note the support that the Bill has commanded across the Chamber. I am also grateful to members of the Committee for the Economy for their contributions to the debate and for their scrutiny of the Bill so far. It will now hopefully pass into their hands for further scrutiny. I welcome the comments about departmental officials and the level of engagement that the Committee had on the Bill. <BR /> <BR />While its subject matter is, for the most part, specialist and technical in nature, the Bill will be of benefit to those who work in the profession and to those affected by insolvency, including creditors and employees.”
“I have asked them to consider the potential for a whole-government approach to transitions into adulthood. That is the model that I would like to see, because it gives all young people the opportunity to progress to the pathway that is right for them. I have had the opportunity to engage individually with some of my ministerial colleagues, and I know that there is willingness and a desire to look at that issue.”
“Physical infrastructure in colleges is being addressed, and I set that out in my initial statement. It is one of the actions that can be taken quickly in order to help to support people with disabilities, including young people and people of all ages, while they are at college. <BR /> <BR />Following the announcements that I made, I wrote to my Executive colleagues to highlight the range of issues that were raised during the review but that are beyond my Department's remit.”
“In order to improve that provision, my Department has commissioned the Education and Training Inspectorate to undertake an evaluation of the current provision in FE colleges. That work is under way, with the report expected in the autumn. I have also asked officials to develop a statutory assessment and support model for our students with learning support needs in further education. The new model will be underpinned by legislation, and I have tasked my officials with working up a costed plan to design and deliver that new model. <BR /> <BR />In the short term, my officials are exploring with colleges, the Education Authority and the Department of Education the administrative mechanisms in order to give greater certainty to young people aged 16 to 18 who have had a statement in school and are moving on to college.”
“My departmental officials work closely with DAERA officials on that area. We have had the opportunity to meet some businesses with a real interest in it and that have some sound proposals on a way forward that would utilise, as the Member said, the energy from not only anaerobic digestion but the other things that come out at the end. We continue to work together on that, and I certainly see significant potential in it.”
“I thank the Member for his question. That is an area of the Department's work that continues to be under policy development. We have established a pathfinder group to look at the development of biomethane policy. We are working through the first stages of that and are gathering evidence and information. We will bring forward proposals on it in the near future.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to reflect on the significant success of TradFest. Over the past seven years, it has become an ever more important part of the traditional music scene and our tourism offering. This year's festival is expected to attract over 25,000 visitors, with almost a quarter of them coming from overseas. If we add to that the traditional acts that will perform at Féile an Phobail this summer, we see that it builds our reputation for traditional music. I have no doubt that events such as that were very helpful in our successful bid to host The Fleadh Cheoil in 2026.”
“I absolutely agree. I had the pleasure of attending the Tradfest launch and referenced it at the world's biggest tourism conference in Berlin. During that conference, countries from across the world host events to sell their tourist offerings to tour operators. The competition to attract interest is fierce. In Berlin, Tourism Ireland booked out a pub to showcase our culture and craic with a trad music and dance session. There was standing room only; it was absolutely jam-packed. That perfectly illustrated to me the importance of traditional music to our tourism sector. There are many reasons for that. One is that traditional music is both an authentic expression of our local heritage and culture and a part of us that we love to showcase to and share with the rest of the world. That is a very special combination.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I agree that St Mary's and Stranmillis are both excellent institutions, and I am determined to secure their long-term sustainability. I am finalising the terms of reference for the higher education funding review, and St Mary's and Stranmillis will be considered within that. The review will consider how we can better support both colleges, given their relatively small size and specialist nature, to ensure their financial sustainability.”
“The Utility Regulator consulted on the issue in 2023, setting out proposals for guaranteed standards of service for electricity suppliers and the level of compensatory payments and asked respondents to comment on them. Those proposals included the introduction of a guaranteed standard of service during cases of severe weather. The UR did not progress to a decision paper as very few responses were received and there was not the necessary evidence base to support change.”
“Once my Department receives the Utility Regulator's analysis of the consultation and a decision paper, we will work as quickly as possible to make any updates to the legislation that are required. I will, of course, update the House as that work progresses.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We all recognise that the impact of climate change means that we are experiencing more severe weather events, and our communities are bearing the brunt of those events. It is important that we ensure that the level of service that customers receive from their utility providers is fit for purpose. I am working with the Utility Regulator (UR), which has responsibility for carrying out a consultation, to look at amendments to the guaranteed standard of service for electricity, including during adverse weather incidents. <BR /> <BR />I have been assured by the chair of the board of the Utility Regulator, Rosamund Blomfield-Smith, that it is working to issue the consultation as soon as possible. I have impressed on the Utility Regulator the importance of moving at pace to progress that important work.”
“First, we have given the space to the Belfast region city deal group and its partners to bring forward proposals. I am happy to engage with them as they do that, and it is important that they take the necessary time and space to consider the opportunities and options that are in front of them and how to best utilise the funding. The case has been made that the funding should stay in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, and I am happy to support that if it is the wish of the Belfast region city deal group.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Many of us recognise the importance of the Mournes as a tourism attraction. I had the opportunity to attempt to mount Slieve Donard, but I did not get all the way to the top. The Mournes are a really important asset that we have. They add to the collective assets that we are really lucky to have as part of our portfolio. I, as the Minister responsible for tourism, have the pleasure of being able to sell them as destinations for people to visit.”
“Following constructive engagement with Queen's University, a resolution has been reached that provides the funding needed for the university to proceed with the Momentum One Zero project. I am fully committed to the Momentum One Zero project and recognise its strategic importance to Queen's University, the Belfast region city deal and the wider economy in the North. My officials will continue to work closely with Queen's University to support the project's progression, including the construction of the innovation centre, which is anticipated to commence in early autumn.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Department was allocated a £9·8 million resource departmental expenditure limit, which will enable me to provide £7 million to the higher education sector. In addition, £2·8 million resource funding has been secured for energy. Regarding capital, DFE was allocated £2·5 million, which has allowed me to provide certainty to the higher education institutes on quality-related research funding.”
“One of the particular areas of focus that we discussed with Minister Shanks was community ownership and community benefit models, so that local communities get buy-in and are able to drive forward their own energy agenda. That is something that the Government are keen to promote through GB Energy. From a departmental perspective, there are other policy areas that we are seeking to develop, whether in relation to biomethane or hydrogen. We will look for opportunities to work with private-sector companies to access that funding in order to support our objectives. That will also help us to achieve our renewable energy targets and climate targets.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have had the opportunity to engage with the Ministers responsible. Officials continue to engage at official level on GB Energy and the proposals that are being brought forward in that regard. As I mentioned, I was in London just under a fortnight ago. I met Minister Michael Shanks and had a further discussion about GB Energy and how we make sure that businesses here and others are able to access the opportunities and funding that will flow through GB Energy.”
“My Department has recently taken on aviation policy. We are working to draft new policy in that area. We are working with Belfast International Airport and the other local airports on how we utilise our air links to best effect. We are an island; we need to bring people to it. Our air routes are really important to us. How do they enhance our economic offering as a whole? That will be developed over the next number of months. I am happy to engage with the Member in that respect.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I had the opportunity to visit Belfast International Airport very recently to see the enhancements made during the redevelopment of the terminal. I also had the opportunity to discuss the airport's further plans, and I am happy to continue to engage with it in that regard.”
“The £700 million Belfast region city deal and, in particular, the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre will help attract cutting-edge industries, strengthen local supply chains and create high-value jobs, thus positioning the area as a hub for advanced manufacturing. In addition, my Department is investing £45 million over the next three years in local economic partnerships. Those will bring together government, business and academia to drive regional growth and enhance our foreign direct investment offering. South Antrim can leverage those partnerships to attract investment, foster innovation and support local enterprise development.”
“Attracting productivity-enhancing, regionally distributed inward investment is central to my Department's economic strategy for the North. I am committed to strengthening our position as a leading destination for global investment. The North has a proven track record of attracting high-value, innovative investment, with over 1,500 international companies choosing to locate here, 64% of which have reinvested. That reflects strong investor confidence in our skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, competitive costs and uniquely advantageous access to the British and EU markets. I work closely with Invest NI, locally and internationally, to promote the region's investment proposition to prospective and existing investors. <BR /> <BR />South Antrim is well placed to benefit.”
“That will have an impact on the future of the programmes, including Go Succeed, that were delivered under its banner and the level of service that is able to be provided. Last week, I spoke with Alex Norris MP from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and asked him to provide clarification on the local growth fund urgently. It is vital that Go Succeed be told what funding may be available to support its services and how it can be accessed as soon as possible. The same is true for the other programmes that are delivered under that banner.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The British Government's spending review was announced on 11 June. They have committed to the creation of a new local growth fund to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund, but they have, so far, failed to provide the detail about the fund and how it will be delivered. We do know, however, that the funding that will be available over the next three years will be fixed in cash terms at the level provided under the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2025-26. In other words, it is a funding cut in real terms. The Shared Prosperity Fund failed to replace fully the value of the EU structural funds that were available here in the first place, so to be facing further reductions in funding is deeply disappointing.”
“As I said, we hope to establish it very soon, and we aim to have an action plan published before the end of the year. The group's work will then continue over the next three years. Its membership is still to be finalised, but the broad groups that I mentioned — government, academia, business support organisations, enterprise support organisations and the finance community — will be involved. Once we have finalised the membership, I will be happy to share it with the Member and rest of the Assembly.”
“Once that is done, the group's work will start, with the aim of publishing an action plan before the end of the year.”
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They make a huge economic and social contribution to local communities across the North. To better understand the challenges and opportunities that they face, I am establishing an SME entrepreneurship co-design group. The group will be made up of stakeholders from the enterprise support ecosystem, representing government, academia, finance and business support organisations. It will collaborate to develop an action plan with recommendations that are aimed at increasing business creation across the North and enhancing the overall entrepreneurial landscape. <BR /> <BR />The action plan will have a lifespan of up to three years. My Department will oversee its implementation in partnership with co-design group members. Membership of the group is being finalised at present.”
“That work will be taken forward in parallel with the drafting of the Bill with Office of the Legislative Counsel colleagues. It is my intention to introduce the Bill to the Assembly in January 2026.”
“I thank the Member for his question and comments. The development of policies that strengthen the voice of workers and, of course, their representatives is a core aspect of my good jobs agenda. That is reflected in the 'good jobs' employment rights Bill consultation document, in the voice and representation chapter, and the announcements that were then set out on 28 April. Officials are working to develop the finer operational practicalities that relate to several of the policy areas that were included across those proposals, including in the voice and representation chapter, such as the right of trade unions to request access to workplaces and electronic balloting. Engagement with trade union officials and employer representative members of the Labour Relations Agency engagement forum is ongoing on those matters.”
“The funding will contribute to that goal by increasing awareness of the employee ownership trust model and by funding feasibility studies for businesses that are considering the transition to employee ownership.”
“The benefits of employee ownership are well documented and strongly align with my economic plans. Employee-owned businesses pay, on average, a higher wage. They are more likely to remain in the same location and invest in their local economy. They can be up to 12% more productive because of increased employee engagement and motivation. <BR /> <BR />On 19 June, I attended S&W Wholesale in Newry to celebrate Employee Ownership Day. While I was there, I announced funding of £97,500 to Employee Ownership Ireland for this financial year. It is the collective ambition of my Department and Employee Ownership Ireland to see 10,000 employee owners in place across the North by 2030.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is quite right: I am well on record on that issue. Previously, the North/South interconnector received planning consent from his party colleague. We are obligated to deliver on that. I see it as crucial infrastructure for our energy systems across the island and our ability to meet our renewables and other targets. The process is ongoing in the North already. As the Member is likely to be aware, delays were announced in the South recently. Obviously, they need to look at how they will address those challenges. I have had an opportunity to engage with the Minister there in respect of that. As the Member will know, ongoing community opposition is posing significant challenges. I anticipate that it will continue to do so.”
“I thank the Member for that question. He is quite right: the consultation has closed. Officials are working through the responses, and advice in respect of the socialisation policy and the way forward will be with me shortly . As the previous Economy Minister set out, the preferred option was for the socialisation of those charges. All of us in the House will have had representations on the high costs of connection from businesses and others, particularly in rural areas. I will be considering that in the very near future.”
“Financial support is not currently available for homeowners who wish to install solar panels. However, options for microgeneration support, including domestic renewable generation such as solar panels, will continue to be evaluated as part of our net zero ambitions. The Windsor framework enables extension to the North of the VAT relief for energy-saving materials that was previously available only in Britain. That means that people here will also be able to apply zero rates of VAT to the installation of energy-saving materials such as heat pumps and solar panels. Homeowners may wish to seek independent advice on solar panels, heat pumps and other energy-efficiency matters from organisations such as NI Energy Advice. Those technologies have the potential to provide an attractive payback to homeowners without there being grant support.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As I mentioned to Diane in my opening answer, the £45 million of funding for local economic partnerships is over the three-year period. Having engaged with councils, we anticipate that the bulk of that will come in years 2 and 3. We have given councils the space to set up their local economic partnerships. Ten of the 11 councils have done that. It was important for councils to have the space to develop those partnerships as they saw fit. It was also important to ensure that they had the space to develop the project proposals. We have given them that flexibility, and the funding will flow accordingly over the next couple of years.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Invest NI business strategy for 2024-27 set ambitious and challenging targets. I am pleased to see that the organisation has increased investments outside the Belfast metropolitan area (BMA) from 56% to 59%. I look forward to Invest NI achieving its target of 65% of investments being outside the BMA by the end of the strategy period. I am also encouraged by the proactive and positive work that Invest NI does with partners on key issues. The city and growth deals, the Magee task force, the social enterprise partnership and, of course, the local economic partnerships are all key initiatives in helping to drive greater balance across the North.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Her point is well made. What we are trying to achieve with those local economic partnerships is for every area to have the opportunity to design its own economic priorities and to leverage support from my Department, Invest NI and other Departments to help achieve them. We are providing the resource to support them to do that. I have had significant opportunity to visit the south-east: I have had a number of engagements in Newry, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel. There is so much opportunity to be leveraged and harnessed there. The work of the local economic partnerships is designed to do exactly that.”
“My Department and Invest NI are supporting them in that work.”
“Local economic partnerships represent a new approach to developing economic policy and promoting regional balance. Local areas will identify their own economic priorities, and partners will work together to deliver those priorities. Partnerships will be supported with a £45 million fund over three years. Funding will issue to councils in arrears on the basis of activity undertaken. That means that funding will be issued to councils only at specific points in the year and will depend on the activity in their area. In addition, having listened to councils, I expect greater spending to be weighted towards years 2 and 3, as activity accelerates and projects are delivered on the ground. <BR /> <BR />The partnerships need time to do the crucial work in setting out their priorities, which will set the agenda for delivery.”
“Businesses make decisions for many commercial reasons, and they will, of course, do that on where they choose to locate. My work across the Department and the Executive is to create the best possible environment for businesses to start up, grow and thrive. My focus continues to be on ensuring that there is adequate support for skills and the business environment to achieve that. <BR /> <BR />I am working with Executive colleagues to address some of the challenges that we face, particularly in respect of infrastructure. Those challenges are well rehearsed, as are the reasons for them. The decades of underfunding of our infrastructure will take a significant time to address. It is something that my colleague, the Infrastructure Minister, has at the top of her priorities and that the Executive collectively will work to do.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I will work with and support companies in achieving all the objectives of my economic vision of creating good jobs, promoting regional balance, raising productivity and having decarbonisation. I am happy to work with companies to achieve that and, of course, to support them in their efforts in engaging with the British Government. <BR /> <BR />I am well on record, as is my party, about how we would like to see public funding invested, and that is in public services. The fact is that we continue to see the prioritisation of defence over public services, and that is certainly not where we should be investing. Businesses will, of course, continue to engage with British Government representatives on all strategies, as they see fit.”
“As I mentioned to Diana, I have had significant engagement with the trade unions along with the First Minister and deputy First Minister and Invest NI. We have regularly met. I fully understand and appreciate the concerns that they express, and I have communicated those to Spirit AeroSystems, Airbus and the British Government. I will continue to support them in their efforts and will work alongside them to find the best possible outcome.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I have engaged with trade union representatives on a number of occasions on the work that they continue to do across the board to get a good outcome, and I continue to support them in that. My officials and I will engage with the Member on that ongoing work.”
“<BR /> <BR />The acquisition of the A220 wing facility by Airbus was a positive development and provides assurance about job security for many highly skilled workers. However, the priority remains ensuring that all the jobs are protected. I remain engaged with all stakeholders to ensure a long-term, sustainable future for the remaining operations and workforce.”
“I have been in active discussions with the British Government to emphasise the strategic importance of Spirit's operations in the North. Less than a fortnight ago, I met the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonny Reynolds, in London, where I highlighted the need for a positive and sustainable outcome for the company and its workers. I spoke to Minister Sarah Jones last week, when I highlighted the importance of a positive solution and the need to protect jobs and the supply chain. My Department, along with the Executive Office and Invest NI, continues to work collaboratively with the British Government to ensure the best possible result for the workforce and the local economy.”