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.”
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“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, you referred to transformation as being "essential" if the Executive want to deliver on their ambitions. Will you outline your thinking on that?”
“Minister, in light of the recent racist violence in Ballymena and the resultant damage to Larne Leisure Centre, will you outline what direct engagement you have had with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council about repairs to that facility and with the Housing Executive about support for those who were displaced?”
“As a representative of a largely rural area, I am particularly conscious of the service that solicitors provide. It requires broad knowledge and expertise, including of conveyancing, family law, criminal legal aid and personal injury. I therefore ask the Minister and her Department to do all that they can to protect legal services and ensure that the profession is supported and its concerns resolved.”
“Many of us will have had numerous engagements with solicitors and barristers over recent years in which they have outlined the pressures that underfunding has placed on their profession, with firms struggling to recruit and retain staff. I have also spoken with constituents who have encountered long waiting times for processing their case, which is delaying their access to justice. The uplift that was recommended in the fundamental review of criminal legal aid is a step in the right direction towards improving remuneration levels. <BR /> <BR />We also need to see adequate investment in the courts and tribunals estate to ensure that buildings are fit for purpose while also providing facilities that limit travelling distance for our people.”
“I also thank my constituency colleague Diana Armstrong for securing the Adjournment debate. Ensuring that our constituents have access to justice and legal services is vital and is an area in which numerous challenges have been encountered in recent years. The need for progress to be made on resolving those challenges has been highlighted in the fundamental review of criminal legal aid, in the holistic review of civil legal aid and in the steps being taken through the enabling access to justice reform programme. <BR /> <BR />Every individual should have the ability to access justice, regardless of geography, circumstances or financial situation. It is the cornerstone of our justice system, which is why the concerns about the level of remuneration and delayed payments that the legal profession has raised need to be addressed.”
“While the Department has provided assurances that the cost for solicitors and barristers will be minimal, it is important that that expenditure be governed effectively. Implementation of the regulations is a positive step, as it will improve the regulatory framework by providing more powers to the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner and enhance the openness and transparency of the complaints process for solicitors and barristers.”
“I welcome the fact that we have reached the stage of being able to move forward with providing the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner with a full range of powers from September this year, particularly as the Act was passed in 2016. There has been considerable delay in getting to this point. As we heard at Committee, however, one benefit of that gap was that it enabled engagement on the changes to the complaints process and collaboration between the Legal Services Oversight Commissioner, the Law Society and the Bar Council. I note that the Law Society and Bar Council have sought more clarification from the Department about the levy that will cover the running costs of the office, which is understandable.”
“I also express condolences to the families who have lost loved ones along the road. It is great to see members of the A5/N2 Alliance in the Public Gallery. Will the Minister give assurances that she will continue to engage with the Dublin Government to see this project through?”
“I thank the Member for that answer. Are there any plans to look at a crèche facility at Parliament Buildings, given the Department of Finance's confirmation that there are no plans for one on the wider estate?”
“Minister, no budget has been set aside for the implementation of the anti-poverty strategy. Given the already difficult financial situation that we find ourselves in, how will you ensure that the strategy is prioritised when it comes to future budget allocations?”
“I thank the Minister for her work on the issue and for her statement this afternoon. Minister, will you consider introducing apprenticeships for young people with SEN?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. Minister, did the Chancellor announce a replacement for the Shared Prosperity Fund, and how will that be delivered?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. Minister, as you mentioned, there has been an increase in the number of online scams. What more can your Department do to protect vulnerable people from scammers?”
“Will the Minister provide more information on the guidance that has been issued to local economic partnerships?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Finance Minister has sought to prioritise the delivery of public services in these challenging financial circumstances not only by providing additional money to reduce health waiting lists and for childcare but by investing in key infrastructure projects, which are vital for developing our economy and helping address regional imbalance. He is also pressing the British Treasury to ensure that we are funded at our level of need. I am conscious that this Budget is due to be the final single-year Budget. I welcome the move towards having multi-year Budgets, as they will enable planning to take place on a strategic, longer-term basis. Given the Assembly's limited fiscal powers, however, the spending decisions made in London will continue to have a significant impact on our Budget until we have constitutional change.”
“I begin this latest debate on the Budget by highlighting the importance of the British Government's spending review, which will be delivered this week. The decision by the Labour Government to continue with a decade and a half of Tory austerity measures following the party's election victory last summer has left us facing another challenging Budget. This week is an opportunity for the British Chancellor to change course and move away from her policy of cuts, which hurt some of the most vulnerable in society, and instead to choose to prioritise investing in public services.”
“Can the deputy First Minister provide an update on the position for each competition?”
“The Minister intends to move towards multi-year Budgets following this year. That has the potential to enable Departments to make plans on a longer-term strategic basis. However, increasing the capacity and ability of our public services also requires a change in direction by the British Government. I hope that they will take the opportunity in their upcoming spending review to do just that.”
“Together with additional funding for childcare and investment to protect the environment and to support the strategy to end violence against women and girls, the money that is being allocated to various Departments and public services reflects the priorities in the Programme for Government. <BR /> <BR />As we are aware, however, negative spending decisions by the British Government continue to have a detrimental impact on our ability to deliver the public services that our people deserve, as the Executive do not have the fiscal powers to mitigate negative spending decisions that are made in Westminster. This week, the Finance Minister met Treasury again. It is the continuation of the work that he and, indeed, his predecessors in the role have been doing to ensure that we have a fair funding model.”
“While the motion is largely technical in nature, it provides us with another opportunity to discuss the Budget and our overall financial position. I begin by recognising the ongoing efforts of the Finance Minister to prioritise the delivery of public services in challenging financial circumstances due to increasing costs and the British Government's continued policy of austerity. <BR /> <BR />The launch of the cross-border health reimbursement scheme this week is a key example of the work that is being done at a local level to reduce the pressure on our health service and make a meaningful difference in people's daily life.”
“<BR /> <BR />The upcoming spending review by the British Government is an opportunity for them to change course from previous decisions that have significantly contributed to making the cost of doing business more difficult here. The report by Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre has reiterated the harm that can be done when decisions made by elected representatives in Westminster do not prioritise the interests of our citizens. It shows why there is growing desire to see Irish unity, which would enable economic and political decisions to be taken by those elected by the people here.”
“As the only major tax that the Executive have control over, the regional rate is a vital source of income that supports the delivery of our public services. Therefore, any consideration of further rates relief in addition to the quarter of a billion currently provided for, as suggested in one of the amendments, needs to take into account the wider impact that that could have. The report also underscored the costs of partition by highlighting the negative impact that the different VAT rates in the two jurisdictions have on our economy, particularly on the hospitality sector in border areas, such as my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone.”
“<BR /> <BR />I take the opportunity to recognise the positive interventions by the Finance Minister to support businesses in recent months, including implementing recommendations of the high street task force report, such as the extension of small business rate relief, which provides reductions of between 20% and 50% to around 30,000 businesses, and the Back in Business scheme, which encourages growth in our high streets. The rural ATM scheme is another measure that has an important role to play in helping to retain access to cash in our rural communities. The review of small business rate relief, which forms part of the strategic road map for rates announced in December, has also been prioritised by the Minister to help to stimulate the economy and support the growth of the tax base.”
“<BR /> <BR />I had thought, in light of previous motions that the SDLP had tabled on Opposition days, including one specifically on greater fiscal devolution, that the SDLP was aware of the limits of our financial powers. However, today's motion seems to contradict that assumption, as it fails to recognise where the main financial levers of power lie and, indeed, where major decisions that have detrimentally impacted on our local businesses have been taken.”
“The current Finance Minister, John O'Dowd, has continued the work of his predecessor by pressing the British Government on various fiscal matters, including ensuring that we are funded at the correct level of need and sending that report to the British Treasury to highlight the operating context of our businesses and to push for greater consideration of our circumstances as we move forward. As we all should be aware, the Executive do not have the financial powers or capabilities to mitigate negative taxation and spending decisions by the British Government. Therefore, it is appropriate that we continue to challenge them and provide the best supporting evidence that we can to do just that.”
“While it mentions various factors that have contributed to the challenges faced by local businesses, the raising of employers' National Insurance contributions is recognised as having had a significant impact that affects the North more due to our lower earnings.”
“That is exactly what happened last year. Decisions taken by the British Chancellor in her autumn statement have, as the cost of doing business impact report by the Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre has highlighted, had a more detrimental impact on various sectors in the North, such as agriculture, hospitality, retail, arts and entertainment, as well as voluntary and community organisations, than on their counterparts in Britain. The commissioning of the report was a proactive approach taken by the then Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, as a response to the concerns of local businesses following the autumn statement.”
“Our local economy is highly dependent on the contribution of small and medium-sized businesses. Therefore, it is deeply concerning when decisions are made by politicians in Britain that do not take into account the circumstances and context in which businesses here operate.”
“Minister, what more can your Department do to address the lack of children's court guardians impacting on children in the family courts system?”
“Thank you, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. You touched on this, but can you explain how important the Bill is to your approach to upgrading our waste water infrastructure?”
“Does the First Minister agree that it is essential for public confidence that all Departments' arm's-length bodies and non-departmental public bodies live within their budgets and that, where that is not the case, action is taken?”
“As the Chair has outlined, this is a compromise date. I do not feel that the proposed extension to the Committee Stage for the Bill is necessary, and my colleague Deirdre Hargey and I outlined that view at the Finance Committee. Repeatedly, in recent months, there has been a strong desire from Members across the Chamber to see the legislation brought forward, as it will see measures introduced during the pandemic in temporary legislation put on a permanent basis. The changes have become the normal registration process and have been viewed as positive by stakeholders, the public and funeral directors. Agreeing to additional Committee time means delaying the implementation of those positive changes, which we do not think is necessary. However, as I said at the Committee, I believe that the extension will pass today.”
“However, we also need to see those in Westminster change direction and invest in public services in order to increase the capacity and ability of services here. I reiterate my support for the ongoing work of the Finance Minister with the British Treasury to ensure that we are fairly funded, reflecting our level of need. We also need to see more fiscal powers devolved, which will provide more flexibility for us to shape policies that are suited to our local needs until constitutional change enables those elected here to have full control over our own political and economic affairs.”
“<BR /> <BR />The investment in city and growth deals, including the Mid South West growth deal in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, will be a key driver in helping to address regional economic imbalance and will see the delivery of a vital piece of infrastructure in the A4 Enniskillen bypass. <BR /> <BR />The continuation of funding for welfare mitigations is an example of locally elected representatives stepping forward to protect the sick and disabled at a time when the British Labour Government are continuing the legacy of their Tory predecessors and attacking some of the most vulnerable in our society. <BR /> <BR />I am conscious that the Minister intends to move towards multi-year Budgets following this year. That has the potential to enable Departments to make plans on a longer-term strategic basis.”
“The specific allocation of £215 million to cut health waiting lists is a welcome intervention and will help to alleviate the pressures that are currently being faced. I have had positive interactions with many constituents about the reinstatement of the cross-border health scheme, which was announced by the Health Minister earlier this month, as a result of that investment. <BR /> <BR />It is vital that we continue to do all that we can to support hard-working families. Therefore, the doubling of the funding available for the early years and childcare strategy to £50 million, which has enabled the childcare subsidy scheme to be extended, is another welcome measure that will help parents to remain part of the workforce or return to work.”
“I thank the Minister for outlining the details of the Budget. I begin by recognising the ongoing efforts of the Finance Minister to prioritise the delivery of public services in challenging financial circumstances due to increasing costs and the British Government's continued policy of austerity. Funding to reduce health waiting lists, to support childcare, to end violence against women and girls and to protect the environment are just some examples of how the Budget reflects the priorities of the Programme for Government. <BR /> <BR />Health's receipt of almost half of the entire Budget reaffirms the commitment of the Finance Minister and the wider Executive to support our health service.”
“I thank the Minister. Once the scheme is in operation, will there be a charge for a baby loss certificate?”
“As progress is ongoing on the development of permanent legislation in this area, I recognise the need to extend these provisions, which are now considered as the normal process for registering deaths and stillbirths. I know that the changes to the registration process have been viewed as positive by stakeholders, the public and funeral directors, and not providing for an extension would be a retrograde step. I look forward to the completion of the permanent legislation, which also includes the baby loss certificate scheme. That is a welcome advancement.”
“Minister, you kind of touched on this in your previous answer, but what programmes will InterTradeIreland focus on in the coming year?”
“Ultimately, the full devolution of fiscal powers through Irish unity provides the greatest opportunity to build and deliver better public services that meet the needs of everyone.”
“One of the most concerning examples of the detrimental impact that austerity policies from London have had on us is that, if you live in the North, you are seven times more likely to be on a healthcare waiting list for more than 18 months than you are if you live in the South. <BR /> <BR />Partition has prevented the development of all-island public services and detrimentally impacted on their delivery. The success of the all-island Children's Heart Centre in Dublin and the North West Cancer Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital provides two compelling examples in healthcare alone of the potential for delivering better public services on an all-island basis. <BR /> <BR />We want to see greater fiscal devolution to this island.”
“Indeed, the interim fiscal framework secured by the previous Finance Minister, Caoimhe Archibald, ensured an additional £248 million for our public services for this year. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, ending partition and achieving independence for all of our island, with control of our political and economic affairs, is the best way in which to build the first-class public services that workers, families and communities here deserve. An Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report this month on the economies of both jurisdictions highlighted the growing deficit in the North compared with the South in all commonly used measures of living standards.”
“<BR /> <BR />The mitigation measures introduced to support the sick and disabled following the welfare cuts that were imposed on us a decade ago are expected to cost £47·3 million this year alone. The Fiscal Commission's 2022 report on more fiscal devolution stated that other actions taken to protect people here from austerity policies imposed by Westminster cost the Executive £600 million to £700 million a year. Greater control of revenue raising would therefore provide the Executive with more flexibility to shape policies that suit our local needs. Taxation systems should be based on fairness, reducing inequality and improving the efficiency, quality and capacity of public services. I also recognise the efforts of the Finance Minister and his predecessor to ensure that we are funded at the correct level of need.”
“In recent months, the British Government have once again taken decisions that heap more pressure on those who already struggle to make ends meet, such as the sick and the disabled, who will be impacted on by further welfare cuts. In her spring statement, the British Chancellor reinforced her Government's priorities, choosing to spend money on militarisation — weapons of war — rather than investing in public services, protecting those in need and improving the daily lives of workers, families and communities. Given the limited fiscal powers available to the Executive and our public services' dependence on the block grant, which is based on the spending decisions of representatives who are not elected by people here, I recognise that it is extremely challenging for the Executive to mitigate the detrimental impact of such decisions.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of increasing fiscal devolution, which would give us more opportunities to make spending decisions that prioritise the interests of workers, families and communities in the North. Around 90% of the funding that is currently available for our public services comes from the block grant. Negative decisions taken by successive British Chancellors, be they Labour or Tory, have reduced the amount of money that is available for our health service, education sector and infrastructure projects and severely impacted on the Executive's ability to deliver.”
“Minister, what funding calls for PEACE PLUS remain open?”
“That is why it is important that the Finance Minister continue to make the case with the British Treasury for adequate funding for our public services. I know that work is ongoing in that area, given Professor Holtham's assessment of our level of need ahead of the spending review in June. We also need to see more fiscal powers devolved that would provide us with greater financial ability and capacity until constitutional change enables those of us who have been elected to here to have full control of our own affairs.”
“The Finance Minister recognised the impact that the rise in employers' National Insurance contributions would have on businesses, and that led to a lower non-domestic rate rise. <BR /> <BR />The suggestion that we should put further financial pressure on those who can least afford it as a result of the legacy of underinvestment in our public services by the British Government to address issues such as capacity in our water infrastructure is not the solution. Given the limited fiscal powers and resources that are at the Finance Minister's disposal, I recognise that it is impossible for him to compensate for the spending decisions that are made in London that prioritise weapons of war and the interests of the few, not the many. However, we must continue to do all that we can to stand up for the interests of our citizens here.”
“Despite covering that rise for Whitehall Departments, locally, we are facing a shortfall of £60 million for our public sector. I welcome the efforts of the Executive to mitigate decisions by the British Government, such as ensuring that the agriculture sector remains an earmarked allocation in the Budget after the British Treasury removed it from being ring-fenced; prioritising money for cutting health waiting lists; and doubling the allocation for childcare. While raising the revenue that is required as part of the interim fiscal framework was achieved through an increase in the regional rate, considerable rate relief remains available for households and businesses.”
“The interim fiscal framework that was agreed last year was a significant step forward in establishing a better funding model. It was also a recognition that the North has been underfunded for many years. The framework secured an extra £248 million for our public services for this year. <BR /> <BR />The legacy of underinvestment is something from which we continue to suffer. It is deeply disappointing that, since last year's Westminster election, the Labour Government have embarked on the same failed policies of austerity as their Tory predecessors. Through her autumn Budget statement, the British Chancellor sought to put more pressure on our public services, the community and voluntary sector and businesses here by announcing a rise in employers' National Insurance contributions.”