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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“As I have said, the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre, which is an initiative that my Department and Invest NI are supporting, promotes awareness of the adoption of AI amongst businesses and offers support and skills development opportunities. The AICC is engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. I am happy to write to the Member with more detailed information on our engagement with the British Government on the issue.”
“My Department has delivered an AI proof of concept to explore economic data and policy documents and to assist with research. Officials are actively exploring opportunities for the use of AI. As I said to Kate Nicholl, I am aware that other Departments and, indeed, other Administrations are taking forward proof-of-concept projects that are at various stages of development. Officials are working with colleagues to learn from that work and to explore how the Department can deploy relevant solutions in a controlled and measured way that adds value and harnesses the potential of AI.”
“I thank the Member for her interest in AI, because her questions for written answer are also helping inform me. AI clearly has huge potential, but it comes with challenges, and people have concerns about it. It is therefore important that we address AI's potential and its challenges. In my previous role, I was responsible for the public-sector transformation board. Something that became clear to me was that there was significant interest in digital transformation projects. The Executive agreed to conduct a digital landscape review to take a wider look at the Executive's needs. I am aware that different Departments are undertaking proof-of-concept projects in the area, and those projects will be really important for informing how we can best utilise AI and grasp the opportunities.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It is important that we continue to upskill individuals and businesses alike. Inclusivity is priority for us across the skills landscape in order to ensure that people from a broad range of backgrounds are able to access skills and training courses, particularly those from under-represented groups, such as women in certain areas, people with disabilities, people from less well off backgrounds and those who face additional barriers to education and training. That is a key focus for my Department, and it is something on which I put a priority personally. Likewise, the AICC is working with businesses to support them to adopt digital technologies through a wide range of initiatives.”
“The SKILL UP programme, which is part of my skills fund, is supporting the delivery of AI courses through our colleges and universities, and those courses range from level 3 through to level 7, with funding allocated for 95 participant places. It is a fast-developing technology, so it will be important to keep pace with the demand for skills.”
“That includes the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), funded by my Department and Invest NI, which is a five-year, £16·3 million initiative delivered by Ulster University and Queen's University. It promotes AI awareness and adoption among businesses and offers hands-on support and skills development opportunities for SMEs. <BR /> <BR />There are higher level apprenticeship (HLA) programmes, including IT-related qualifications from level 5 through to level 7, that contain modules on AI. Specifically, there is an HLA master's degree that combines AI and computer science delivered by Ulster University.”
“Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant technological developments in recent times. It will bring about significant change in the economy and the workforce, and it offers potential to contribute to my economic vision, most obviously in relation to productivity and good jobs. <BR /> <BR />Last Monday, I met Napier AI, which is creating over 100 jobs in this field. It emphasised our skills base and our close connections with further and higher education institutions as key reasons for locating its investment here. It is important that we continue to provide that skills pipeline, and we are implementing our digital skills and our software and cyber sectoral action plans and have a range of provision across the Department to ensure that the required skills are available.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Department recently conducted a consultation — a call for evidence — in relation to energy efficiency support, so we will look at the analysis of that and bring forward proposals in the near future.”
“As I mentioned, the scheme has a budget of £40 million over, I think, five years — yes, it is a five-year grant programme valued at £40 million. That is based on applications being processed. As I said, we have 1,300 enquiries, which is an exceptionally high level of interest, and those are at various stages through the process. We will align the budgets to the demand as it goes forward.”
“I do not have that information in front of me, but I am happy to write to the Member.”
“Scheme delivery has been ongoing for nine months, and we are beginning to see some trends in the data. For instance, solar photovoltaic is the most popular technology that businesses wish to deploy. The enquiries come from a mix of businesses, with the majority coming from manufacturing industries and the retail and hospitality sectors. The scheme is delivering, as I said, across the region, with over 70% of investment likely to be directed outside the Belfast area, with most of the funding being delivered to SMEs.”
“My officials have been working closely with Invest NI since the scheme launch and have adopted a process of continued review through the initial pilot phase to ensure that scheme delivery aligns with policy objectives on energy efficiency. The scheme demonstrates that businesses across multiple sectors and across the North have an appetite to invest in becoming more sustainable. It is encouraging to see high interest from manufacturing sectors as well as from the retail and hospitality sectors, which are increasingly moving to become more sustainable. As a result, the programme is showing early success in delivering across departmental priorities, including decarbonisation, regional balance and supporting growth in investment in the green economy.”
“The scheme is delivering on regional balance, with over 70% of enquiries to date coming from outside the Belfast metropolitan area.”
“Decarbonising the economy is one of my four departmental priorities. The energy efficiency capital grant helps businesses reduce their energy demand and build resilience through green efficiency. The grant is part of a wider suite of support delivered by Invest NI across the wider energy and resource efficiency programme. It is designed to be a five-year grant programme valued at £40 million. Grant support is offered to eligible businesses to buy and install renewable technologies and energy-efficient equipment aimed at reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. <BR /> <BR />Since the energy efficiency capital grant opened in April 2024, it has received over 1,300 enquiries, indicating an exceptionally high level of interest. Enquiries are being addressed in chronological order and are at various stages of the process.”
“The Member has heard me say repeatedly to other Members that childcare is a priority for the Executive. This financial year, 2024-25, we were able to ring-fence that £25 million, and the Minister of Education brought forward proposals that were supported by the Executive. I have outlined actions undertaken by my Department. In the incoming financial year, 2025-26, the draft Budget sets aside £50 million for childcare, so we will build on the work that has been done in this year and, hopefully, be in a position to support more parents and more childcare providers. We will collectively look at those proposals as they come to us. The research that has been undertaken by my Department will help inform them.”
“<BR /> <BR />Through working collaboratively, we have already developed childcare micro-courses through our six further education colleges and a pilot assured skills academy in early learning and childcare. The gender employment gap research that I commissioned has already been made available to the market research work on targeted business support for childcare providers, and my officials, along with Invest NI, continue to work closely with the Department of Education, including representation on a range of related cross-departmental groups. I am fully committed to working with the Minister of Education and other Executive colleagues to implement the early learning and childcare strategy.”
“As I have mentioned to other Members, childcare is a priority across the Executive. I wholeheartedly welcome the positive steps that are being taken by the Education Minister and others towards supporting child development, improving affordability for families and supporting parents to work. Our economic vision sets out the need for investment in affordable childcare and fair pay for childcare providers. My skills agenda is looking at how we can best create a larger pool of qualified workers in the childcare sector, and I have ring-fenced £740,000 in the skills fund to support pathways into childcare that will help support the supply of workers to that critically important sector.”
“For example, the impact of increases in employers' National Insurance contributions will hit all businesses, and many of our childcare providers that already have small margins will be hit. That is why, when I was Minister of Finance, I commissioned research on the costs of doing business. Both of those pieces of research are due to report in March, so we will have a good evidence base for what comes next in terms of interventions.”
“I thank the Member for her question, and I agree with a lot of what she has said. Childcare is critical economic infrastructure in addressing the challenges of gender equality. It is also crucial for child development, so it is really important that we get it right. Rightly, it is a priority for the Minister of Education as well as for me. As I mentioned, it is a priority for the Executive as a whole, and that is reflected in the Programme for Government. It is important that we get it right, and that is why research is being undertaken to ensure that we get the correct support to the sector. <BR /> <BR />The Member also referred to challenges in the coming weeks.”
“As I mentioned, childcare is, rightly, a priority for the whole Executive. It is a priority in the draft Programme for Government (PFG) because, collectively, we recognise the huge challenges for parents struggling with access to affordable childcare and for childcare providers in the cost of doing business. The research is really important in determining what interventions are necessary to provide the most appropriate support for childcare providers and offer best value for money. <BR /> <BR />The Department is taking forward other actions on skills, for example, to support childcare providers and ensure that a pipeline of people comes through, because we know that that is also a challenge.”
“<BR /> <BR />Consultations have taken place with a cross-section of stakeholder organisations and representative organisations in the childcare sector and more widely. More detailed consultations with individual childcare providers and parents are taking place. The resultant evidence base will allow my Department to make recommendations to the Minister of Education on the nature of the assistance required by childcare providers.”
“Due to our business expertise, my Department volunteered to progress a research proposal, and the Department of Education transferred £153,000 to my Department to fund that research. <BR /> <BR />On 30 August, a DFE-led working group was established to better understand the sector's needs. The group commissioned Innovation and Consultancy Services to carry out market research to determine the key issues impacting the financial sustainability of providers in the sector. That research will help to inform decisions on what form any specific sectoral support should take. The steering group met Innovation and Consultancy Services on Thursday 6 February. The research, which is progressing at pace, is on track to be completed by the end of March.”
“With the Speaker's permission, I will group questions 2 and 6. <BR /> <BR />On 23 May 2024, the Executive agreed a package of measures and allocated an additional £25 million to the Minister of Education to enhance early learning and childcare support in 2024-25. The package included, amongst other things, a commitment to provide targeted support to childcare providers in significant financial difficulty and in areas where demand for childcare exceeds supply. <BR /> <BR />On 22 July, Minister Givan wrote to both the Health Minister and my predecessor, Minister Murphy, asking for help with his Department's scheme. Minister Murphy agreed to assist the Education Minister with that important work, as childcare is, rightly, a priority for the whole Executive.”
“That is one action that we, as a Department, are taking to address some of the constraint issues, because investment in the grid will be required to take on the additional renewable capacity that is needed not only to meet our targets but, essentially, to deliver our low-carbon future.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As the Member will be aware, low-carbon and green industries is one of our priority sectors, and we are working with industry to develop an action plan for the sector. As he mentioned, it not only includes skills but looks at the wider issues. For example, we are aware of the report that Cornwall Insight published on some of the capacity issues that the Member has referred to. Departmental officials are engaged in that, and we will work collaboratively with industry to address some of those challenges. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that the consultation is out on the socialisation of grid connection charges.”
“Crucially, it will upskill the current workforce and develop a pipeline of suitably trained people for the future. A subgroup will be established for each priority action area that was mentioned to oversee the implementation of those actions, and we are trying to identify a suitable date to launch the action plan. I hope that that will be in the coming weeks.”
“On the basis of research and stakeholder consultation, the action plan has identified four priority key areas of action to address current and future green skills needs. They are reviewing the skills ecosystem; a partnership approach to ensuring a skills system that is responsive to changing needs; promoting awareness of careers and opportunities in green jobs, green skills and transversal skills; and developing a skilled workforce. The aim of the plan is to help to create an effective skills ecosystem that will be responsive to the changing needs of our green industries and to build partnerships and networks that will collaborate and meet our skills challenges as well as building career pathways and promoting opportunities in green sectors.”
“As the Member will be aware, all Departments' budgets are constrained. The Executive's Budget is constrained, and, collectively, we continue to make the case to the British Government that we should be properly funded. As a Department, we are still working through our budget plans for 2025-26, and we will prioritise key areas in the Department, skills being one of them.”
“Delivery has already commenced in some areas with free courses through the SKILL UP programme, including on hydrogen energy systems; installation and commissioning of electrical energy storage systems; passive house; and retrofitting. Additionally, our universities and colleges offer a range of courses in energy, environment and sustainability as well as net zero engineering. By working together, we can meet the challenge of the evolving and complex skills demands of the energy and wider green sectors.”
“Decarbonisation is one of my four key objectives. Transitioning to net zero is the right thing to do, and it offers economic opportunities. In order to grasp those opportunities, it is vital to equip the workforce with the necessary skills. My Department has been working in collaboration with the green skills delivery group to develop an action plan to address the needs of the energy sector as well as wider green industries. It is a comprehensive framework to guide government, employers, trade unions, education providers and individuals on what is needed to deliver the skills for the future and to meet net zero targets. The plan will be launched in the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />A subgroup of the delivery group, with representatives from business, academia and across government, will continue to advise us on changing green skills needs.”
“It would be bad form if they were to plough on regardless, as, I am sure, the Member would agree. As I said, if the LCM is not passed, it does not preclude GB Energy, as a company, from operating in the North and we would have absolutely no ability to shape what is developed or taken forward. <BR /> <BR />The approval of the motion enables us to remain engaged as work on GB Energy progresses. It also helps to ensure that the Executive's policy priorities are properly reflected. Therefore, I recommend that the Assembly passes the motion.”
“Again, on the funding issues that were raised, we are still getting clarity on how exactly that will flow and how those schemes will be developed. We have been given assurances that that will be done in partnership with local businesses and those who have expertise in the field to ensure that what is being developed very much respects our priorities and takes account of them in what is being taken forward.”
“The Member will, of course, appreciate that I am in the job only a week. However, my understanding is that officials have had significant engagement with DESNZ over that time, most importantly to ensure that the amendments that we now see were brought forward and that we got the assurances that we now have that we will be able to shape the strategic direction of GB Energy once it is established. That is really important. It will allow us to engage collaboratively and to coordinate on the issue, which is clearly challenging not just for us as an Assembly but for Governments across the world, regarding our ambitions and the necessity to decarbonise. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, the schemes are still being developed, so there is significant work still to be done there. Officials are very engaged in that process and are working with DESNZ.”
“It will allow us to feed into and shape that strategic direction and the local policy plans once GB Energy is established. Importantly, it requires the consent of the Assembly and the Scottish and Welsh Governments in respect of that. The company will have to operate in our regulatory environment. Therefore, we have the opportunity to shape what will be taken forward.”
“As I set out in my opening remarks, it is not yet clear how GB Energy will operate in practice. Indications from the British Government are that it will drive clean energy development, create employment opportunities and boost energy independence. Importantly, my Department has been assured that GB Energy will work with local businesses with expertise in the area of energy and decarbonisation, investing in supply chains and promoting local growth. <BR /> <BR />I will pick up on a couple of points for clarity. If the LCM is not approved, GB Energy will still be established as a company and will still operate here, but we will have no ability to input or engage, whereas, following the intervention of my predecessor, the GB Energy Bill will now properly take account of devolution.”
“I thank Members for their contributions and welcome the interest that has been shown in this important issue.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“<BR /> <BR />Early indications are that GB Energy has the potential to support the transition to net zero. I will, however, scrutinise all proposals to ensure that our devolved powers are properly represented and respected. I therefore commend the motion to the Assembly and thank Members for their support at this juncture.”
“Following discussions at the Executive, it was agreed that I should now seek the legislative consent of the Assembly that the Bill's provisions be extended to here. <BR /> <BR />My officials are already working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ensure that the work of the company aligns with that of my Department and supports SMEs. That work includes shaping the British Government's local power plans. It is proposed that the local power plan for the North will identify small and medium-sized renewable projects that GB Energy will invest in, driving development of those low-carbon energy projects. Importantly, GB Energy will focus on building the supply chains necessary to meet the demands of rolling out a decarbonised energy sector.”
“Energy policy is fully devolved under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. It should therefore be for me, as Economy Minister, to set those policy directions. However, the original iteration of the Bill did not respect devolution. My predecessor, Conor Murphy, therefore sought amendments that would allow us to consent to the Bill. Our Scottish and Welsh counterparts had similar concerns. Those efforts led to an amendment to clause 5 that requires my Department to consent to the strategic statement that the Secretary of State lays at Westminster. That ensures that the strategic approach taken by the company aligns with my economic plans and those outlined in the draft Programme for Government.”
“A key priority of my Department's economic plan is the decarbonisation of our economy. It is a moral obligation to future generations. The transition to net zero also creates the opportunity to increase the number of good jobs, raise productivity and drive regional balance across the North. Anything that supports that transition is to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />The Great British Energy Bill was introduced at Westminster on 25 July 2024. It creates a new publicly owned company to support the delivery of clean power projects here and in Britain. It is worth emphasising that the Bill only establishes the company: how it operates in practice will be determined by the policy directions given to the company.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members of the Assembly recognise the value of the hospitality and tourism industries to our local economy. My Department clearly does so as well. We have taken a number of actions to support both sectors, including skills development and capacity building. However, we all must collectively continue to press the British Government to do likewise by recognising the value of those sectors to our economy.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I know that he frequently raises the issue of air passenger duty. That fiscal power was in fact devolved to here, and, unfortunately, the intended benefits have not been reaped. Representations need to be made specifically on the issues that were highlighted today. Of course, Executive Ministers will continue to do that. <BR /> <BR />This is not my responsibility any more, but I will pick up on the point about rate relief. It is, of course, not possible to amend rate relief at short notice, given the importance of rates for our public finances. The one that we have chosen to look at in the incoming financial year is the small business rate relief scheme, and that is because of the representations that were made by businesses. There will be an opportunity for businesses to engage with that.”
“That research, which will be completed next month, will help to build an evidence base to press the British Treasury to act on some of those issues, but it will also potentially inform any interventions or support that the Executive are able to give, whether through policy or otherwise.”
“As for the Barnett consequentials for employers' National Insurance contributions, the Executive will in fact face a shortfall of approximately £100 million just for the public sector. Partly in response to those particular issues, the Department of Finance is undertaking research on the cost of doing business. Phillip asked about the issues that will be considered as part of that. The differentials will be considered, but there will also be opportunities for businesses and business representatives to engage with the Economic Policy Centre, which will help to give coverage to some of those issues.”
“Another differential across the island is VAT, which is currently 13·5% and likely to return to 9% for hospitality businesses in the South, compared with 20% here. <BR /> <BR />My Executive colleagues and I are working together to lobby the British Government on those issues. When I was Finance Minister and Conor Murphy was Economy Minister, we engaged regularly with the hospitality sector and made continual representations to Treasury. Later this month, Minister O'Dowd will press the Chief Secretary to the Treasury again on those issues. <BR /> <BR />I will bring clarity to some points that were made. Contrary to Ms Armstrong's comments, we are losing £58 million from our baseline due to the reduction in rates support for hospitality and tourism in Britain this financial year.”
“The increase in the minimum wage is positive for workers, but, given the low margins in the industry and the fact that many of the businesses are small, it would have made more sense for higher wages to have been offset by lower taxes for employers. Instead, the British Government have increased employers' National Insurance contributions and, at the same time, introduced the electronic travel authorisation scheme. Tourists are an important market for our hospitality businesses, but the ETA creates another barrier in the North for international tourists. Tourists who fly into the North already pay air passenger duty, which has been abolished in the South. With the introduction of the ETA, tourists arriving in the South will now also have to pay fees if they want to enjoy all that the North has to offer.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion, and I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this important issue. I agree with Mr Brett about the importance of hospitality and tourism to our local economy. The figures have been quoted already this evening. Together, our tourism and hospitality sectors employ over 75,000 people. Some 70% of those jobs are outside Belfast, so, clearly, they contribute significantly to regional balance. <BR /> <BR />Tourism and hospitality have grown significantly, and an action plan, co-designed with the industry, has been developed to further support the sectors. Actions will include investment in marketing, skills, events and connectivity. However, policy decisions taken by the British Government are damaging the industry and creating a significant disparity across the island.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“That clearly has a negative impact on the economy, productivity, workforce participation and career progression. It is important that we all play our part in collectively responding to the challenge of eliminating violence against women and girls.”