Linda Dillon
Mid Ulster · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“It is important to have that acknowledgement for the sake of history — so that the generations who come after us will understand what happened to you and what you went through. It is also important for our present and future: we must make sure that what happened to those women, girls and children never happens again.”
“I begin by offering the apologies of my colleague Carál Ní Chuilín, who cannot be here today owing to ill health. Carál has been very much invested in the work on the legislation. The Bill is very important to her, given the work that she does in the Assembly and the people with whom she has personally worked and engaged over many years.”
“My colleague Áine is the Member who probably comes closest to having a true understanding of what you have had to live with and endure, and continue to live with and endure, because it has affected, and will affect, you all your life, and we know that those effects are transgenerational. I acknowledge that.”
“We can never allow that to happen. <BR /> <BR />You showed bravery by speaking up. You spoke up, yes, so that people would know what had happened to you, but you also spoke up so that it would not happen to others.”
“Some lived to see the beginning of the campaign but not the Bill getting to this stage. Many did not even see the beginning of the campaign and did not believe that, in their lifetime — or anyone else's lifetime, for that matter — there would be an acknowledgement of what happened to them.”
“I apologise for not being in the House from the beginning of the statement and thank you for your latitude on that. <BR /> <BR />Thank you, Minister. You have outlined some of the benefits that Waterways Ireland ownership can bring to waterways and local communities.”
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“That issue will only grow as more children with learning difficulties and complex needs reach adulthood. We need to ensure that the transition is seamless and that adequate resources and facilities are in place. <BR /> <BR />Campaigns such as Forgotten Voices have shone a spotlight on the importance of respite provision, giving a voice to those who are too often ignored. Their tireless advocacy reminds us that families are asking not for the world but for the basic support that they need to continue caring for their loved one. Insufficient funding leads to under-resourced and ineffective services, limiting the support available to families. There is no doubt that respite services are underfunded, but there are also serious challenges in staff recruitment and retention.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am aware of incidents in my area of the Southern Trust when respite provision has been completely withdrawn because one individual needs residential care. That is not the fault of the individual. I absolutely accept that that person has that need, and we should never blame them or their family. However, the difficulty is that, because respite is not a ring-fenced and protected provision, that is what happens, and we have unplanned closure of respite services. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, we must not ignore the transitional challenges for young people moving from children's respite into adult services. The lack of coordination and planning between child and adult care systems leaves too many young people and their families and carers in limbo during that critical period.”
“There must be provision to step in when carers are unexpectedly unable to cope because of illness, injury or other emergencies, including death. The reality is that, without increased investment and planning, the pressure will continue to build. We must ensure that families can access regular, reliable respite services and that those services are protected and expanded to meet future need. Families who are already under immense pressure should not have to face the added stress of losing vital support services because of arbitrary boundaries between trusts. We must address that inequity and ensure that respite provision follows the person, no matter where they live or what trust is caring for them or, in some cases, not caring for them, which is the problem that we face.”
“The staff who work in the facilities and dedicate their lives to providing care deserve our deepest respect and praise. The crisis is not of their making, and the cancellations highlight the inadequate provision of respite services for adults and children with complex needs and challenging behaviour and the pressing need for additional investment and better forward planning. We are witnessing a growing demand for the services as more and more children transition from child services into adult care every year. Although that trend is set to continue, as things stand, many facilities cannot cope with the rising need, and many trusts are under severe pressure. <BR /> <BR />It is not just about planned respite: we also need to consider the growing need for unplanned or emergency respite when families face a sudden crisis.”
“That is often the only period of respite that has ever been offered, and, when it is withdrawn, that can throw the carer into a spiral of despair and hopelessness and leave them feeling completely abandoned by our health service.”
“It is essential to prevent the breakdown of family relationships and to ensure that those carers can continue to care for those for whom they have a caring responsibility and those whom they love. <BR /> <BR />Respite allows carers to manage everyday activities that most of us take for granted. It offers a break from the relentless 24/7 care that they provide, yet families are often told at short notice — I am sure that many of us in the Chamber will have lobbied trusts on behalf of families — that their respite has been cancelled. That is a gut-wrenching blow for those who depend on that support to continue caring for their loved ones. They may have waited for that respite for over a year, or they may never have had respite before.”
“We tabled the motion to call on the Minister of Health to urgently address the critical issue of respite provision for adults and children with learning difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviour. I know that we have discussed the topic on many occasions, with the Minister and with officials, in the Committee and outside it. It is an issue of real concern. <BR /> <BR />The lack of adequate respite services across the North is a matter that deeply affects countless families. Those are families that are doing their absolute best to care for loved ones in incredibly challenging circumstances. As outlined in the motion, respite is not a luxury. For unpaid carers, it is a lifeline, and it is essential for their physical and mental well-being and for the continued care of those whom they look after.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, can you give us a rough idea of the timeline? As we know, many of the women, who were girls at the time, are part of an ageing population.”
“We need to ensure that they feel their place and that they see a safer, more prosperous and united future for all our people.”
“For far too long, there has been a level of tolerance of those groups that is simply intolerable, and we must be bold enough to say, "Enough is enough". Those criminal gangs have no democratic mandate and no place in the governance of the North. Their influence is toxic, undermines the rule of law and erodes the foundation of our democracy. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion. It is crucial that we put an end to paramilitary activity once and for all. The harm that they inflict on our community is profound. They foster fear and stifle investment and economic opportunity and a democratic, peaceful way forward. We need to ensure that everyone in our community benefits from that peaceful way forward and that they see their place in it.”
“The peace process laid down the path, and anyone who continues to hold on to paramilitarism does so at the expense of our community, our future and the prosperity of our people. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, paramilitarism has not disappeared; indeed, it has mutated, as is outlined in the motion, from an ideology to a front for criminality, control and criminal gangs engaging in drug dealing, extortion, moneylending, sexual exploitation and violent intimidation. We hear about that all too often at the Policing Board. They prey on the very people whom they claim to defend, suffocate community cohesion and crush economic development. Despite the tireless efforts of genuine community activists, the PSNI's paramilitary task force and the tackling paramilitarism programme, the groups persist, and their persistence has caused enormous harm.”
“It has been 30 years since the loyalist ceasefires and 26 years since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, which provided a historic and inclusive political process aimed at ending conflict and building a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for everyone across our society. The process offered everyone in our society a path away from violence, a path that should have been and needs to be embraced by all. Yet, here we are, decades later, still dealing with the scourge of paramilitarism in our community. There is no place in our society for paramilitary groups; there is no role for paramilitary groups; and there is no excuse for the continued existence of those groups.”
“Minister, I welcome these jobs and the fact that they are being dispersed, but many, particularly women in the Civil Service at those grades, are working to keep their jobs, particularly when their families are young. We are looking at reducing the cost of childcare. Is there the potential for people to work from home to reduce their childcare costs and make it worthwhile to work for the Civil Service? I speak as someone who was in that position for a long number of years.”
“That would ensure that families know what to expect from the system and have recourse if standards are not met. <BR /> <BR />This is about equity, dignity and fairness. Social care reform cannot wait any longer. We have been presented with the tools to address the issues, and we now need to take the issue in hand and work with people such as the Reimagine Children's Collective and others to deliver on that. For our elderly, our carers and our children in Mid Ulster and in rural constituencies across the North, there can be no more delays. We need to work together to create a social care system that reflects the values of fairness and compassion and serves all citizens of the North equally, no matter where they live.”
“It is not just about the amount of money that it gets — I know that the sector has made the Minister well aware of that point and that it is being looked at — it is about how the sector is funded and how the groups can work together on funding, instead of doing what we have done for years, where everybody looks at one pot and thinks, "How can I get some out of that?". They want to work together, and we need to fund them in a way that allows them to work together. <BR /> <BR />We must listen to the people whom we serve. We must listen to the families who are struggling in our rural areas. We must listen to the children and young people who require our services. We need a family charter that is co-designed with young people and parents.”
“<BR /> <BR />Additionally, I emphasise the need for early intervention and prevention in both adult and children's care. Again, that point was covered in the debate on the motion this morning. We know that early intervention can make a real difference. I spoke about Sure Start, but many programmes deliver early intervention. I know that tackling health inequalities is a priority for the Minister. We will be able to do that only through early intervention programmes. I look forward to hearing what the Minister will say on that. <BR /> <BR />The community and voluntary sector, as I said, plays a vital role. We must ensure that it is properly resourced.”
“It highlighted all the struggles that we will have without urgent reforms. I note that some commentary in the debate this morning was about collaboration: I absolutely agree with that. We need collaboration across Departments, but we need it mostly with our communities and the community and voluntary sector, because they really can deliver the services at good value. We need to ensure that that collaboration happens. <BR /> <BR />The amendment also brings an important issue to the forefront: unfair and inconsistent charging for adult social care. In areas such as Mid Ulster, where incomes are often lower and services more difficult to access, those inconsistencies hit families hardest. Independent price regulation is essential to ensure fairness. No family should have to choose between paying for care and other basic necessities.”
“Families wait far too long for care packages, and care workers face travelling long distances and inadequate support. They are not funded to drive those distances or to provide the care that they provide; we know that. The Minister is well aware of that. The Department is looking at all those issues. I attended a meeting with Carers NI and carers from rural communities last week. They told me nothing that, unfortunately, I did not already know as a representative of a rural constituency. We know that the challenges for those in our rural communities are much more difficult. <BR /> <BR />The Reimagine Children's Collective, which we spoke about this morning, brings together 10 major charities, and it has echoed those concerns in its recent briefing on children's social care.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion. I support the motion and the amendment. <BR /> <BR />We know the problems that face countless families across the North who are being failed by the current social care system. It is overstretched and underfunded. The issues affect everyone from our elderly and the most vulnerable to the workers who care for them. It has been seven years since the 'Power to People' report was commissioned, and we still face the same challenges: persistent workforce shortages, care home capacity constraints and long waits for community care packages. Those issues were only made worse by the COVID pandemic and the number of people who came out of the caring profession at that time. <BR /> <BR />In rural areas, such as my constituency of Mid Ulster, the challenges are even more severe.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way; I appreciate that he has already given way a number of times. Can we get some reassurance that that provision will not be privatised and that it will be provided under your Department? The potential for privatisation is a real fear, particularly for the Reimagine Children's Collective. It is also a fear of mine, because starting to make money off the back of children's services is a dangerous place to go.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that a good start would be to expand the Sure Start programme? We know that it works, we know that it is effective and we know that it can be done. The work is done in communities and is really impactful for families.”
“Minister, you talked about the chill factor, and I accept that, but we need to ensure that there is not a chill factor for people who feel that they have been harmed in some way by the health service. They need to feel confident in coming forward, so what reassurance can you give to people that, when they come forward, they will get justice for whatever has happened to them or their loved ones?”
“I appreciate that, Minister. Will you give us a timeline for that, if you have one, and some assurance that vulnerable women will be protected in any scheme or change of policy?”
“Can you give us some sense of what those activities might be? Is there an estates plan? As I have outlined before, Craigavon Area Hospital is bursting at the seams. People died during COVID because the hospital did not have the space to keep them separated.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Action 7 states:”
“For clarity, I was not saying that we should be bringing this issue to the Minister of Health; I simply meant to say that we need somebody to take the lead. I agree that all Departments should work together.”
“— of the North deserve better, and they deserve to know what their Government will do for their well-being. Collectively, we need to move forward, and that does not mean just those in the Executive: every one of us in the House has a responsibility.”
“We need to hear from him, particularly at the Committee where, last week, some members spoke about children's services and children's mental health, saying that we need to see the implementation of Ray Jones's recommendations. <BR /> <BR />Now is the time for concrete action. Children and young people —”
“It is a collective responsibility, and all arms of government must engage in delivering solutions. <BR /> <BR />Whilst we emphasise the need for cross-departmental cooperation, we need someone to take the lead. We must acknowledge that the Department of Health has a central role in addressing the crisis. The Ray Jones report provided a comprehensive review of children's services, highlighting serious deficiencies in how vulnerable children are supported. That report cannot be ignored. It outlines the failings and offers key recommendations, and we need to see a plan taken forward to implement the recommendations. We must look to the Minister of Health to take the lead on that. He cannot do it alone, but we need someone to take the lead and show leadership on the issue.”
“Without proper cross-departmental cooperation, our approach to children's mental health becomes fragmented and ineffective and, ultimately, fails to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable. <BR /> <BR />Departments working in silos create gaps in care and coordination that directly impact on children's mental health. A joined-up approach is not a "nice to have" but a necessity. We need Departments to pool their resources, share funding and hold joint accountability for delivering children's services. We need to ensure that children's mental health is given the priority that it deserves. We can do that, whether it is in the Programme for Government or not. Today, we have agreement across the Chamber that it is a priority, and we cannot ignore that. We cannot afford to waste any more time working in isolation.”
“I thank the Member who tabled the motion. We can all agree that the mental health of our children and young people is an issue that many of us — all of us, I am fairly certain — are deeply concerned about. The mental health challenges faced by children in the North are not isolated in one Department, and that is clear. They cut across every aspect of government policy, as the motion recognises. Addressing the mental health crisis among our young people requires more than words; it requires coordinated cross-departmental action. <BR /> <BR />Mental health is not an issue that begins and ends with the Department of Health: it intersects with education, housing, justice and communities. It impacts on children in their schools, homes and communities.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I understand the financial position that he is in. Minister, do you accept that some of the preventative work would be much more cost-effective and would, hopefully, result in people not ending up in hospital or needing greater psychiatric input, which would provide a saving to us? I wonder whether we can look more at that approach.”
“Will you outline any work that your Department is undertaking on speed-management policies and measures, particularly in built-up areas?”
“It emphasises the need for a well-rounded approach that ensures that rural communities receive the mobile coverage that they need. As I said, that will be done only through collaboration by all stakeholders, including government, councils, elected representatives and the communities that we represent. The communities need to be part of the conversation. As I said, they are always up for improvements being made and for moving forward, but they need to be involved in the conversation. <BR /> <BR />I thank the proposer of the motion and the proposer of the amendment.”
“Again, however, our residents are left vulnerable because of the lack of infrastructure and lack of investment from mobile providers. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the amendment and acknowledge the work that the Department for the Economy and the barrier busting task force are doing. I have no doubt that more work needs to happen in that area, but, again, it comes back to what we have talked about: collaboration between all the stakeholders, including Departments, councils, mobile network companies and local communities, about which we have talked. <BR /> <BR />The amendment reinforces the idea that:”
“In rural areas, where the response times can be longer, the ability to make a phone call in a crisis can make all the difference.”
“Whether it is in a rural area in Mid Ulster, Strabane or Derry, it creates a digital divide that is leaving our rural communities behind. Our local council has been very supportive of residents in areas that have no mobile coverage, but, thus far, there has been no satisfactory response from the companies responsible. The lack of investment from mobile phone companies leaves rural areas with substandard service compared with urban areas, and we cannot allow that urban/rural divide to grow. The providers reap the benefits of serving urban customers — I acknowledge that there are issues in some urban areas too — while neglecting many of our rural communities and thus the businesses and residents who depend on it. <BR /> <BR />Reliable mobile coverage is crucial for emergency services, as I have outlined.”
“It is about communication and talking to those communities. They are up for it, but they need to understand what is happening and why. Planning safeguards are critical to ensuring that mobile masts and other infrastructure are introduced in a way that respects local character, the environment and the well-being of residents. <BR /> <BR />That said, the real issue lies with the mobile providers. In Mid Ulster and, particularly, Killeen and Derryloughan in the Washing Bay area, there already is the physical infrastructure, but the mobile companies are choosing not to upgrade or properly invest in it. That goes back to points that have been made around collaboration and everybody working together. Mobile providers are choosing not to invest in rural areas. They need to be answerable as to why that is.”
“Whether it is for a business or a resident in the Washing Bay area of Killeen or Derryloughan or whether it is in an emergency on a rural road, mobile connectivity is a lifeline. <BR /> <BR />In speaking to the motion, it is important to address the key issues: the responsibility of mobile providers and the role of the planning process. First, I emphasise that the planning process exists for a reason. As others have outlined, it ensures that we maintain a balance between the need for infrastructure and the rights of residents and rural dwellers. We cannot bypass those protections in a rush to build more masts or roll out new infrastructure. We must consider the impact on local areas and the residents who live there. They deserve to be part of the conversation about how infrastructure is developed; Mark Durkan mentioned that.”
“I thank the Members who have spoken already, because some of them have covered my points. However, it is worthwhile talking specifically to the lack of mobile coverage in some areas of Mid Ulster, the rural community that I represent. <BR /> <BR />Mobile service is vital for everyday use and for people to make phone calls. If you are doing so on the road, I certainly hope that you are using hands-free. It is important for business. Business in Mid Ulster tends to be in rural areas. Many of our big engineering companies are in rural areas, and it is vital for them to have that connectivity. As others have outlined, it is also extremely important for those who need to get in contact urgently with any of our blue light services.”
“Minister, given the large number of small and microbusinesses in the North, which you outlined, and, without being parochial, given the entrepreneurial spirit in areas such as mine — mid-Ulster — will you outline the role that such organisations can play in addressing regional inequalities?”
“I thank the Member for taking an intervention. Does she agree that, if the money in Health were invested properly, we would not have the pressures that there are on some other Departments? For example, we know that many people in mental health crisis end up in a police station or even in prison because their mental health issues have not been addressed. Health needs to take its role under the "Right care, right person" (RCRP) model seriously.”
“As the Member is aware, we are also going to Dublin to meet the Oireachtas Committee there, and it is definitely worthwhile for us to raise this when we are down there. As I said, it is important, particularly in the border areas, where we really could have better access. In the likes of Fermanagh, there could be a difference of two hours in being able to access emergency surgery.”
“— is completely inappropriate. It is not the answer for those young people. They need to have value, and they need to feel valued.”
“I apologise to the Minister for not being in the Chamber for the start of his answers to this question. Based on what he has said around the transition process, there is a real problem there. That is maybe where the Education Department could do more work — do better work — on giving the information and ensuring that the Economy Department has the information regarding what it needs to have in place. Every young person has value; they can all do something. Sending them to day centres —”
“The issue can be addressed only with proper funding. We understand and accept that.”
“We need a long-term financial commitment from the British Government to fund us to secure the future of healthcare in the North. As I have said before, the British Government must step up and properly fund the North, because if we do not act now and secure a long-term financial settlement from the British Treasury, we will see our healthcare system continue to deteriorate. The British Government must recognise their responsibility to ensure that the North's health service is adequately funded. We are not asking for special treatment. We were underfunded by the previous British Government, and the British Treasury has now acknowledged and accepted that. We cannot expect healthcare professionals to continue working in hospitals that are understaffed and do not have the proper facilities and resources.”
“By working across the border, we can ensure that carers receive better training, resources and support. Carers are the lifeblood of our healthcare system, and we must do everything that we can to support them. <BR /> <BR />We have a blueprint for change in the Bengoa report, 'Systems, Not Structures'. The report provides us with a clear road map for making our health service more effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of our people. However, as the Member said, you cannot do that without funding. You cannot take a car down the road without petrol. We all understand that transformation cannot happen without proper funding. The stabilisation package that was agreed last year was a step in the right direction, but it falls short of what is needed.”
“Sharing specialised services and creating joint facilities along the border could significantly reduce travel times for rural patients, alleviating the burden on local services while increasing access to much-needed care. We know that that is a possible solution for residents in places like Fermanagh and Derry and those right along our Western Trust area. Initiatives like the Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT) programme have already proven how successful collaboration can be. Expanding such partnerships is not just an option; it is a necessity if we are serious about addressing the healthcare crisis, especially for our rural communities. <BR /> <BR />In the context of social care, cross-border cooperation is equally critical. Many of our carers live and work in isolated areas and often lack the support that they need.”
“Ensuring that we have infrastructure and accessibility needs to be part of the transformation process. However, solutions are available if we begin supporting, funding and using our primary care sector, GPs, community pharmacists, specialist nurses and, vitally, our community and voluntary sector, which is already underfunded and has its funding consistently reduced. Many of the answers and solutions are being pointed out to us every day, as Nuala McAllister mentioned. The Minister needs to work with clinicians, staff and, importantly, communities in order to implement the solutions. <BR /> <BR />There is also a need to seriously look at real and meaningful cross-border healthcare collaboration with the rest of Ireland. I do not mean having people head on buses to private hospitals; I mean serious cross-border collaboration.”