Jemma Dolan
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Minister, I am really shocked at that response, because I am not aware of any Western Trust engagement on the vision plan. My question was going to be, "Will you outline how you will ensure that the public are aware of this planning, so that they can engage with it?".”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. Last week, the Irish Government announced a further €30 million investment in the Ulster canal restoration project. That is transformative for the communities along the route and will benefit local economies and tourism. What is the current position of the Ulster canal project?”
“They are the result of years of chronic underfunding by successive British Governments and a funding model that has consistently failed to recognise the real needs of people here. That is the root cause of the problem.”
“Our public services are under immense pressure. Health workers, teachers and community organisations are all being asked to do more with less. Communities that have already endured years of austerity continue to feel the impact.”
“However, the second part of the motion is profoundly flawed and contradictory. On the one hand, it welcomes the efforts of local Ministers to press for more funding for public services, while, on the other hand, it states that the Executive are purposely deciding to "impose further austerity" by not agreeing to a Budget.”
“There is an onus on us as elected representatives to deliver better front-line services. However, we cannot get away from the fact that we are a devolved region with limited fiscal powers. Almost all our funding comes through the block grant.”
The complete record
Every one of 731 lines we hold for Jemma Dolan, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 15.
“Since the restoration of the Executive just over two years ago, the Finance Minister and his predecessor, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, have pressed the Treasury about our underfunding. That has secured £1·3 billion in additional funding. The recent agreement of the £400 million reserve claim between the Treasury and the Executive is positive from the perspective that it will help alleviate the pressure on the Budget for next year. However, it underlines the difficulties that we face in trying to protect our public services.”
“Our financial position has not only been well debated in the Chamber in recent days but is at the heart of almost all our discussions as we seek to deliver the public services that our citizens deserve. A combination of factors means that we continue to face immense financial challenges, the primary cause being the legacy of underfunding by the British Government over many years and the austerity measures that they have implemented.”
“Minister, what contact does your Department have with the regulators?”
“Minister, do you agree that the Go Succeed service, which our councils deliver, is a critical part of our local economic infrastructure?”
“Investment in the areas that are central to the Programme for Government priorities is evident in the draft Budget proposals, including almost half a billion pounds to cut health waiting lists; £195 million to support parents with childcare costs; £21 million for skills to grow the economy; and £15 million for ending violence towards women and girls. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate the importance of agreeing a multi-year Budget. The benefits of doing so are clear: it will help Departments to strategically plan, rather than having a short-term approach to spending, and will support our efforts to deliver efficiencies and transformation. More on that tomorrow.”
“No, sorry. <BR /> <BR />It is welcome, therefore, that investment in our roads has been prioritised in recent months, with an additional £30 million allocated in December and a further £8 million in recent weeks. <BR /> <BR />The agreement of the £400 million reserve claim between the Treasury and the Executive is positive from the perspective that it will help to alleviate the pressure on the Budget for next year. However, it underlines again the pressures that we face in trying to protect our public services. <BR /> <BR />Moving forward into the forthcoming year provides us with an opportunity to agree a multi-year Budget.”
“Despite that, some positive interventions have been made during the year, including the allocation of additional funds to ensure that public-sector workers, such as teachers and those in the health service, receive pay awards. <BR /> <BR />A regular topic in the Chamber in recent weeks has been the condition of our roads. The resources available to the Department for Infrastructure over the past decade and a half are a prime example of the detrimental impact that austerity measures decided in London have had on us.”
“The debate provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the past financial year and to have an eye on the forthcoming year. A combination of factors means that we continue to face immense financial challenges in our efforts to provide the public services that citizens here deserve, the primary cause being the legacy of underfunding by the British Government over many years. <BR /> <BR />The spending review by the British Chancellor in the autumn once again highlighted how those elected in London will never prioritise the interests of people here, with just a further £18 million available to help us to deliver front-line public services for this year.”
“The Health Minister must now rebuild public confidence, listen to the community and publish the plan that ensures that SWAH can meet the needs of today and of the future. <BR /> <BR />The ad hoc collapse of essential services is not transformation; it is unacceptable. The Health Minister and the Western Trust must focus immediately on recruiting the consultant surgeons whom we need to protect lives and maintain local healthcare. Sinn Féin will continue to fight to ensure that everyone in Fermanagh and Tyrone has access to high-quality, safe and effective clinical care. We should not have to wait longer or settle for anything less than the care that we deserve.”
“So far, no such plan has been produced, but that failure cannot continue: the people of Fermanagh and Tyrone deserve better. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin has been unwavering in its support for reinstating emergency general surgery at SWAH. The Health Minister is responsible for the final decision on emergency general surgery and must hold the trust to account for producing the comprehensive plan. The plan must give equal weight to the voices of the people in Fermanagh and Tyrone and the clinical evidence. <BR /> <BR />When the consultation on the closure of emergency general surgery was announced, we demanded a process that reached all affected communities; instead, it was deeply flawed, and, thankfully, it was paused. However, that pause has gone on for too long.”
“This morning, my party colleagues and I joined members of the lobby group Save our Acute Services (SOAS) as they pushed a hospital bed up the avenue. I thank SOAS, those who travelled from Fermanagh and MLAs across the Chamber who joined the group to commit to supporting the fight to get emergency general surgery reinstated in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). <BR /> <BR />This has been going on since December 2022, and we, the people of Fermanagh and Tyrone, still have not received the certainty or the action that we deserve. The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, must urgently provide a clear, detailed plan, with timescales, for the future delivery of emergency general surgery. The plan must set out a clear process for recruiting and retraining consultant general surgeons at the hospital to make the service safe and sustainable.”
“You say that it is systemic failure. Your party colleague was the Infrastructure Minister for longer than Liz: what did she do about it?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. Minister, what benefits did Peace IV and INTERREG Va deliver?”
“Minister, will you provide an update on the Shared Island enterprise scheme?”
“Thank you very much for your intervention. We cannot use the community and voluntary sector as the cheaper option. <BR /> <BR />There has been some progress in recent years, and the people strategy is a welcome step on the road to building a better Civil Service. Its ability to do so, however, will also be underpinned by public spending decisions by the British Government and those of us who are elected to this Chamber working together to enable longer-term planning through a multi-year Budget.”
“The reality is that, with several thousand staff vacancies, the Civil Service is working at reduced capacity, which puts more pressure on existing staff. In order to retain staff and recruit into the workforce, we need to see pay uplifts that meet the rising cost of living, as well as opportunities for progression and a proper work-life balance. The recent expansion of the apprenticeship programme and initiatives such as the pilot scheme to target recruitment in the north-west are welcome developments in trying to attract new workers. <BR /> <BR />Decentralising jobs is another aspect of reform that can appeal to new candidates and play a role in creating a fairer distribution of jobs and delivering better regional balance, on which we have already seen progress with the Connect2 hubs.”
“Therefore, it is vital that we see a multi-year Budget agreed for the start of the next financial year. That will support progress on the Civil Service's people strategy, which sets out the plans and directions for the organisation in the coming years and how it can build the necessary capacity to fulfil the recommendations in the Audit Office report.”
“I will begin my remarks by recognising the dedication and hard work of our civil servants. The motion quite rightly highlights that delivery of our public services has come under increasing pressure in recent years. A significant cause of that has been a decade and a half of austerity measures that have been enforced by the British Government. While there have been positive developments in pay awards for civil servants recently, including the pay floors being raised for the lowest-paid staff in order to meet living-wage standards, there is no doubt that constrained budgets over many years have damaged the ability to recruit and retain workers. <BR /> <BR />Single-year Budgets have also detrimentally impacted on long-term and strategic planning for the Civil Service.”
“Minister, what happens if any late easements arise before year end?”
“Thank you for that concise answer. Given the absence of a clear statutory framework, do you have any plans to introduce legislation on homeschooling in the future?”
“I commend your swift action, Minister, in stopping this process. In your opening remarks, you outlined your support for businesses. Will you say a wee bit more about that support, including the support for small businesses?”
“Minister, you have partially answered my question. For the purposes of clarity, will you confirm that businesses still have an opportunity to engage with LPS?”
“<BR /> <BR />Although I believe that only constitutional change will enable us to implement policies that close those inequality gaps, there needs to be, in the interim, further fiscal devolution to provide us with more flexibility and opportunities for interventions in our local economy. I support the ongoing work of the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy in that area.”
“Given that there are many shared objectives, there is something that can, and should, be replicated across all Departments. The reference in the report to the fact that the British Government's decision to increase employers' National Insurance contributions is having a negative impact on economic growth here is just one example of the damage that not having full control of our political and economic affairs continues to do to us. Several of the economic measurements indicate that the gaps between the two jurisdictions on our island are continuing to grow, primarily because the North is tied to a failing economy in Britain following Brexit and a decade and a half of austerity measures.”
“Despite shared policy objectives across the island, there is also recognition that, owing to limited fiscal powers, the Executive do not have the same ability as the Dublin Government to intervene with the resources required to deliver better public services and improved living standards for their citizens. The division of our public services on a North/South basis means that all those living on our island are being disadvantaged, not just those living in the North. <BR /> <BR />We can see how much better it is when we take a coordinated approach to tackling challenges. That can be seen from highly successful health initiatives such as the North West Cancer Centre, the all-island children's cardiology services in Dublin and the cross-border waiting list reimbursement scheme.”
“Life expectancy is a valuable measurement of long-term outcomes, as it reflects how well public services are performing and the socio-economic environment in which people are living. Again, the results show that the North is behind, with men living two years less and women living one and a half years less. To put that into perspective, it means that people living in Ballyshannon live longer than people living in Belleek. Th two villages are just nine minutes apart. <BR /> <BR />As well as such disparities, however, the report highlights the fact that there are common themes across the two Programmes for Government (PFGs), such as supporting small and medium-sized businesses, tackling housing shortages, delivering better public services and ensuring decarbonisation.”
“The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report provides a stark analysis of the different average living standards that exist in the two jurisdictions on our island and shows the many areas in which we have common challenges and shared policy objectives. The assessment of economic trends shows that the South outperforms the North in almost all the key indicators that are used to measure the health and well-being of our citizens. <BR /> <BR />The 10% difference in disposable income is one of the statistics in the report that highlights just how much more money a person has in their pocket if they live in the South. It is a particularly useful metric for comparison as it recognises just how much a person has to spend after earnings and taxation are considered.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I apologise for missing the start of the statement. How does the draft nature recovery strategy address the specific challenges that are faced by rural and border communities, particularly in relation to land-use pressures and access to environmental supports?”
“<BR /> <BR />As well as attracting several thousand participants, the eight-day festival is expected to see up to 800,000 visitors come to the city, providing the local economy with tens of millions of pounds, delivering a significant boost to the hospitality sector in particular and helping local businesses. The experiences of previous fleadhanna is that, as well as attending competitions and shows, tourists visit other local attractions, meaning that the economic and cultural benefits can be felt well beyond Belfast. I encourage all communities to embrace Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann . By working together in an inclusive way, we can ensure that the event is a resounding success and leaves a lasting cultural, social and economic legacy.”
“<BR /> <BR />The all-Ireland fleadh attracts participants from all corners of Ireland, including many talented performers from Fermanagh, such as Aaron Faux, Cara Heaney, Aoife O'Reilly, Lily Keaney, Chris Maguire and John McCann — I could continue; we are very talented — as well as members of the diaspora who have brought our culture with them to other parts of the globe. The hosting of the fleadh provides Belfast with a fantastic opportunity to showcase itself as a cultural destination, while shining a light on the wider region and the depth of Irish traditional music, language and dance that exists across the North.”
“Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is recognised as the biggest annual celebration of Irish traditional music, song, dance and language, and I look forward to seeing it in Belfast this August. While the fleadh will be centred in the city, its spirit and influences reach far beyond Belfast into counties such as mine, where Irish traditional music and culture continue to thrive in communities large and small. While the fleadh is the pinnacle of the annual calendar of Comhaltas events, I recognise the work of all its branches, including those across Fermanagh and South Tyrone, which promote their local fleadhanna. Those local events play a vital role in developing musicians, singers and dancers, passing traditions from one generation to the next and promoting and protecting Irish cultural identity in rural as well as urban areas.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.”
“Minister, how does the work of the interim Regional Planning Commission contribute to the planning improvement agenda?”
“It is simply disingenuous of the Opposition to state in their motion that the difficulties that we face in delivering public services are due to the "failure" of the institutions but not to reference partition and decisions made in London. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that we face many ongoing challenges. However, there are examples of progress and achievements that have been made since the Executive and Assembly were restored. As a public representative, I will continue to do all that I can to make life better for citizens in the here and now. However, only when we achieve constitutional change and have full control over our own affairs will we be able to deliver sustainable public services and reach our full potential.”
“<BR /> <BR />The local economy in my constituency has received a recent boost following the extension of Fáilte Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand to County Fermanagh. I thank the Economy Minister for helping to deliver that. Marketing our county alongside our neighbouring counties in the South as one tourism brand makes sense and is another step towards overcoming artificial barriers that were imposed by partition. Progress on key infrastructure projects is vital to creating regional balance, and commitments to fund the delivery of the A4 Enniskillen bypass, through the Mid South West growth deal, and the A5 by the Executive are recognition of that.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also take this opportunity to remind the proposer of the motion that, under our existing constitutional arrangements, being tied to London means that spending decisions taken there have direct consequences for our finances, and this Labour Government have chosen to invest public money in militarisation rather than in public services and improving the lives of ordinary people and workers. We therefore have less money to spend on our schools, hospitals and roads. Protecting people from every negative spending decision made by London is not possible, given our financial and political limitations. However, the ongoing support for welfare mitigations is an example of how the Executive have helped shield some of our most vulnerable from further damage as a result of austerity policies, and it costs £50 million annually.”
“The motion highlights many of the challenges that the Executive face. However, it is noteworthy that it fails to mention the root cause of the problems that our public services face: the impact of over 15 years of underfunding by successive British Governments. That is why the Executive and the existing Finance Minister, and his predecessor, in particular, have focused on negotiating a new fiscal framework since the institutions were restored two years ago. That has resulted in an additional £600 million for public services and prevented our public services from being in an even more challenging position.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for the statement. Deputy First Minister, you highlighted the global impact of productions such as 'Derry Girls', 'Game of Thrones' and 'Blue Lights'. Will you confirm that growing the creative industries remains a key strategic priority?”
“Minister, given the underfunding of this place by the British Government, can you outline your engagement with the British Government on the fiscal framework?”
“Thank you, Minister. I would appreciate that. Given the well-documented condition of the existing school buildings and the ongoing impact on pupils and staff, can you give me an assurance that you will prioritise that project in Enniskillen?”
“I congratulate the Minister for his work on the matter. How will today's allocations support Programme for Government commitments?”
“The campaign is set to begin next year, and I have no doubt that it will attract more visitors to Fermanagh, support jobs and grow our local economy. <BR /> <BR />I also commend Minister Caoimhe Archibald for her leadership and steadfast commitment to driving that exciting project forward since taking up office.”
“I welcome the announcement by the Economy Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, that the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands tourism branding will be extended into Fermanagh. It is incredibly positive news for our county. The Hidden Heartlands initiative has been a major success only a few miles down the road, drawing visitors, investment and new opportunities. Its expansion into Fermanagh will provide a real boost for our local tourism and hospitality sectors. <BR /> <BR />We are blessed with world-class attractions from Belleek Pottery to the Stairway to Heaven and the stunning waters of Lough Erne. The branding extension gives us the platform to showcase all that we have to offer. At a time when the all-island economy continues to strengthen, it is only sensible that we work together to unlock the full potential of tourism across our island.”
“<BR /> <BR />Throughout the development of the Bill, we heard directly from parents who had suffered a heartbreaking loss, and their voices will continue to play a crucial role in the development of the regulations that will provide for the baby loss certificate scheme. I again acknowledge those parents who shared their stories with us and their role in shaping the legislation. I welcome a commitment from the Finance Minister to continue to engage with that group in shaping the regulations. <BR /> <BR />Working together, we have been able to introduce compassionate legislation whilst modernising the registration process for deaths. That will have a real impact on people as they navigate extremely challenging times. I once again congratulate the Minister on bringing it forward.”
“I am delighted to be able to speak in the Final Stage debate of the Deaths, Still-Births and Baby Loss Bill. Being the first jurisdiction on these islands to introduce legislation that makes provision for a baby loss certificate scheme is an example of the positive change that we can make when we work in partnership, and I am proud to have played my small part in that through the Finance Committee. <BR /> <BR />The legislation has compassion and equality at its core, helping to reduce stress for those who have suffered a bereavement by enabling the electronic transfer of documents, providing same-sex female couples with the same rights as others, and ensuring formal recognition for parents who have lost a baby prior to 24 weeks.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, what progress has been made on the Sligo-Enniskillen greenway?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. Minister, will you outline your plans for progressive and fiscal devolution?”
“However, the barriers posed by partition continue to act as an impediment to achieving our economic potential, which is why there is a growing appetite in all sectors of our communities for discussions about what a new Ireland will look like.”
“The disparity in VAT between the North and South is hitting the hospitality sector hard, particularly in border areas that rely on tourism, such as my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. The ending of the two-child benefit cap and the extension of tax-free childcare are also significant interventions that could be made to ease the burden on so many families. <BR /> <BR />As a republican who believes that political and economic decisions that affect us should be made solely by elected reps here, I also want to see maximum fiscal devolution, and I support the Finance Minister's work in exploring that. Additional powers would provide us with more fiscal levers to deal with economic challenges.”