Colm Gildernew
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I have been working with Dungannon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will welcome this work, particularly in light of its concerns about vacancy and protecting the retail heart of towns such as Dungannon.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?”
“However, the Committee will want to examine carefully how any new or amended powers would operate in practice. Powers relating to information sharing, official warnings, directions, removal from office and disqualification can have significant, long-standing consequences for charities, trustees, staff, volunteers and, indeed, public confi…”
“<BR /> <BR />The regulations are consequential to the uprating order and provide the supporting technical changes needed to ensure that the revised benefit rates operate correctly. The regulations increase the earning limit for carer's allowance from £196 a week to £204 a week.”
“In response to those findings, Minister Hargey introduced the Charities Bill, which was enacted in 2022. The legislation put in place many of the review's priority recommendations in the limited time remaining in that mandate. The Charities (Amendment) Bill represents the next stage of that reform programme.”
“The Committee will wish to explore the implications of those changes, including for organisations operating across jurisdictions or delivering charitable activity in or from the North. Our charity sector includes a diverse range of bodies.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,397 lines we hold for Colm Gildernew, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 11 of 48.
“The British Government's decision to cut billions of pounds' worth of support for people who are sick or disabled is grotesque and is a direct attack on the most vulnerable in our society. The Communities Committee here in the North and the relevant Committees in Wales and Scotland have written jointly to the British Government to highlight our shared concerns. The British Government must halt those callous plans. In recent days, it has been reported that the Labour Government have done a U-turn on those plans. That is absolutely untrue: all that they have done is extend the implementation period, creating new inequalities and bringing the same austerity measures into play that they had planned all along. That is an absolute disgrace, and no one, but no one, should fall for it.”
“I would like the debate to be considered in that regard, as well as the very important technical issues that many people have raised.”
“I thank Diana for securing this important debate and giving us an opportunity to focus on this issue. I also thank the Minister for attending the debate. <BR /> <BR />The points have all been more than well made by my colleagues. I will not rehash those other than to say that I ask the Minister to consider the cumulative knock-on effects of the withdrawal of services, which are very important You will see solicitors' offices closing. That is not just about access to a building; it is about the access to legal advice moving further and further away. Where we live is not just an inconvenient fact; that is where we pay our taxes and where we engage in business and all of that. All these things take a chip out of rural towns and villages and society more generally.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and the report. How does this report sit alongside the ongoing whistle-blowing report?”
“, must respond with unity, urgency and moral clarity to the recent abhorrent attacks on immigrants, refugees and ethnic minorities. Such attacks must stop, and they must be condemned without equivocation. <BR /> <BR />Multiculturalism is not a threat; it is a strength. In my area of south Tyrone, it enriches our community, broadens our understanding and strengthens the fabric of our society.”
“Political and community leaders, a chairde”
“, the Irish diaspora is everywhere. Irish bars and GAA clubs function in every corner of the globe. Thig daoine go hÉirinn as na cúiseanna céanna ar fhág na hÉireannagh í. Ní lú an daonnacht s'acu ná ár ndaonnacht féin; tá a scéal-san lán chomh bailí lenár scéal féin.”
“A chairde, rinne muid Lá Domhanda na dTeifeach a cheiliúradh Dé hAoine seo caite. Mar sin de, ná bíodh aon amhras ann: tá fáilte roimh theifigh anseo. Níl le déanamh againn ach smaoineamh ar stair na himirce in Éirinn, ar na daoine sin a d'fhág Éire in aimsir an Drochshaoil ar na daoine sin a d'fhág Éire de dheasca coimhlintí, agus ar an mhuintir óga atá ag fágáil na hÉireann inniu le saol is fearr a dhéanamh dóibh féin thar lear lena thuigbheáil nach bhfuil an ceart againn an deis sin a cheilt orthu sin ar mhaith leo saol úr a dhéanamh dóibh féin as teacht anseo.”
“Disappointingly, it has so far refused, despite persistent lobbying by successive Finance Ministers. However, I very much welcome the confirmation from the Finance Minister that the Treasury has now agreed to consider that change as part of the ongoing negotiations on a final fiscal framework. We need those negotiations to take place as soon as practicable and an agreement found that will transform the Housing Executive and, more importantly, get the homes that we need built. <BR /> <BR />Previously in the Chamber, we have debated the benefits of building homes on public land. Sinn Féin would like to see the creation of a land management agency that would assist with identifying and acquiring any public land that is suitable for housing.”
“Whilst that is far from ideal, we have seen how, last year, funding was secured for an extra 1,000 homes during the year, so it certainly can be done. However, we have to be realistic, as Kellie said, about what can be achieved under our current circumstances. <BR /> <BR />It has long been Sinn Féin's view that, if we want to seriously tackle the housing shortage, the Housing Executive needs to start building homes again, and only by changing the funding model for the Housing Executive and giving it the ability to borrow money will that be achieved. To that end, former Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, initiated the revitalisation of the Housing Executive, with that outcome as a key priority. As Members will know, that change to the funding model must be agreed by Treasury.”
“As the motion states, in the Programme for Government, the Executive have given a commitment to build 5,850 homes before the end of the mandate, which shows that the Executive are serious about building more social and affordable homes. We have the plans and strategies in place; we now need to see them delivered upon. <BR /> <BR />I have to say that it is disappointing that the budget has allocated only enough capital funding to build 1,000 new social homes this year, which goes only halfway to meeting the target of 2,000 per year. I welcome the Finance Minister's comments yesterday that he will work with the Communities Minister to secure extra funding throughout the year and that housing will be prioritised.”
“I thank the Members who brought this important motion to the House. Lack of housing is one of the biggest issues that we face as a society. Unfortunately, it is an issue on which too little progress has been made. <BR /> <BR />Colleagues have set out the figures, so I will not go into them, but the fact that the social housing list continues to grow, month on month, is evidence enough that we are not building enough homes to meet the level of demand. The housing supply strategy sets out an ambitious target of 100,000 new homes over the next 15 years, one third of which are to be social housing. That is the scale of what is needed if we are ever to get the waiting lists moving in the right direction.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, the anti-poverty strategy that you have presented to the House has been described as extremely underwhelming and not fit for purpose. It contains no targets for the reduction of poverty and fails to recognise free school meals as an indicator of poverty. It also fails to mention gender or sexuality as risk factors for falling into poverty. I was struck by the number of times that the strategy references things that you will continue to do, meaning that there are few new actions in it. Given the many weaknesses in the current draft of the strategy, will the Minister commit to listening to the feedback from the experts during the consultation period and consider some substantial changes?”
“<BR /> <BR />I ndiaidh rith an Bhille seo inniu, díreoidh an Coiste ar an obair ríthábhachtach a bhaineann le cur i bhfeidhm an Bhuiséid a scrúdú i rith na bliana airgeadais, agus leanfaidh muid de bheith ag tabhairt na Roinne chun cuntais lena chinntiú go n-úsáidfear na cistí a cheadaítear leis an Bhille Buiséid (Uimh. 2).”
“I ndiaidh athbhreithniú cuimsitheach caiteachais Rialtas na Breataine an tseachtain seo caite, nach raibh gan dea-scéala a bheith ann, caithfidh an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin leanúint ar aghaidh le cás láidir a dhéanamh ar son samhla maoinithe ilbhliantúla a bheidh bunaithe ar riachtanais an Tuaiscirt. Sin an t-aon bhealach inmharthana amach ó bheith ag bainistiú brú airgeadais bliantúil, agus i dtreo infheistíochta straitéisí ar son leas ár bpobail. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil an tAire Airgeadais ar aon tuairim leis an anailís sin agus go bhfuil sé tiomanta an sprioc ríthábhachtach sin a bhaint amach.”
“Cuireann an cur chuige sin, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs buiséadú aon-bhliana, bac ar phleanáil straitéiseach, agus cruthaíonn sé éiginnteacht do sholáthraithe seirbhíse agus don phobal araon. <BR /> <BR />Tá dúshlán straitéiseach soiléir roimh gach Roinn. Cé go bhfuil clár bunathraithe agus athchóirithe ag an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, is deacair – agus beidh sé deacair go fóill – an clár sin a chur i bhfeidhm nuair a bhíonn buiséid na Ranna á n-úsáid le freastal ar ghealltanais reachtúla agus chonarthacha atá ann cheana. Is ceist bhunúsach é sin a leanfaidh an Coiste de bheith á scrúdú. <BR /> <BR />I ndeireadh na dála, is gá an Bille seo a rith mar ghnáthnós imeachta, ach caithfidh an plé maidir le seirbhísí poiblí inmharthana a chruthú, caithfidh sin leanúint ar aghaidh.”
“De réir mar a chuir feidhmeannaigh in iúl don Choiste, cuireann buiséad ina bhfuil easnamh suntasach ar acmhainní neamh-imfhálaithe brú mór ar na seirbhísí tábhachtacha ar an líne thosaigh – bíodh sé i gcúrsaí tithíochta agus easpa dídine, nó i measc ár n-earnálacha pobail luachmhara. <BR /> <BR />Baineann ceann de phríomhábhair imní straitéiseacha an Choiste go príomha leis an spleáchas chórasach ar mhaoiniú laistigh den bhliain chun brú nach féidir a sheachaint agus tosaíochtaí dearbhaithe na Roinne. Dúirt feidhmeannaigh linn go mbeidh gá le babhtaí monatóireachta amach anseo chun bearnaí maoinithe i réimsí amhail tithíocht shóisialta agus cláir tacaíochta fostaíochta a líonadh.”
“Thar ceann an Choiste, tacaím leis an Chéim Dheiridh den Bhille Buiséid (Uimh. 2). <BR /> <BR />Tar éis dúinn pleananna caiteachais na Roinne Pobal a scrúdú go mion tríd an timthriall buiséid seo, tá fócas an Choiste fós dírithe ar na dúshláin a bhaineann le soláthar seirbhísí do na saoránaigh is leochailí, i bhfianaise na ndálaí airgeadais a leagtar amach sa Bhille seo. Ba mhaith linn a chinntiú go gcomhlíonfaidh an Roinn a dualgais ar fud a réimse leathan freagrachtaí, lena n-áirítear spórt, oidhreacht agus na healaíona. <BR /> <BR />Cé go gceadaítear maoiniú suntasach leis an Bhille, tá fócas an Choiste dírithe ar na himpleachtaí praiticiúla a bhaineann leis an socrú foriomlán.”
“Following consideration, the Committee remains satisfied that the regulations are necessary and beneficial. We should always do our utmost to support individuals affected by serious health conditions like diffuse mesothelioma, who will continue to experience financial implications associated with the disease. Therefore, on behalf of the Committee for Communities, I am content to recommend that the Assembly approve the regulations.”
“The rule aims to adjust the lump sum payments in line with inflation, ensuring that beneficiaries receive adequate compensation that reflects the current economic conditions. <BR /> <BR />In terms of financial and regulatory compliance, payments under the 2008 scheme are funded through the recovery of amounts from civil compensation, ensuring that there is no extra financial burden on public funds. Additionally, the regulations comply with section 24 of the NI Act 1998 and align with the corresponding regulations in Britain, maintaining parity in line with existing policy.”
“This September's CPI was 1·7%, and the uprating of payments is consistent with other disability benefits, reflecting our commitment to supporting those who have been severely impacted on by asbestos-related diseases.”
“On behalf of the Committee for Communities, I support the introduction of the regulations. The Committee considered the rule at its meeting on 3 April. The primary purpose of the change is, as the Minister said, to increase the lump sum payments made to individuals who suffer from diffuse mesothelioma and to their dependants. <BR /> <BR />The payments are crucial for individuals afflicted by that debilitating disease, which often results from asbestos exposure. Under the 2008 Mesothelioma, etc., Act, the payments are made without requiring proof of negligent exposure to asbestos or that the exposure occurred during employment. That ensures swift and fair compensation for those who are affected. The amounts are usually increased each year in line with the rate of inflation, as measured by the consumer price index in the previous September.”
“As I have stated repeatedly in my contributions to Budget debates, reforms proposed by the British Government, as set out in the 'Pathways to Work' Green Paper, such as the health top-up to universal credit being removed for those under the age of 22, add to a sense of unease for many benefit recipients. A 13-week transition period simply does not address those fears. We must not overlook the fact that carers and individuals with disabilities continue to struggle to meet their daily needs. Carer's allowance remains a subject that Members are interested in, and we continue to call for that to become a tapered benefit rather than being what is described as a cliff-edge benefit. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee, I am content to recommend that the Assembly approve the order and the associated regulations.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes the uprating of premiums that are paid to disabled people who receive working-age benefits, universal credit, income support, housing benefit, jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance elements, in line with CPI, which is 1·7%, as measured over the period of October 2023 to September 2024. The Committee also welcomes the fact that certain child and family elements will be uprated in line with the increase in relevant HMRC rates. <BR /> <BR />Whilst any increase is to be welcomed in a cost-of-living crisis, the Committee continues to hear regularly from witnesses about the ongoing hardship that is faced by many of the most vulnerable in our communities.”
“On behalf of the Committee, I support both motions: that pertaining to the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (NI) 2025 and that pertaining to the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Regulations (NI) 2025. The Committee considered the order and the draft regulations at its meeting on 3 April 2025 and agreed that it had no objections. The Committee regularly considers secondary legislation pertaining to social security benefits and is aware that this order is one of several statutory rules that relate to the annual uprating of certain benefits, pensions and allowances.”
“Does the deputy First Minister accept that the social media comments by her colleague the Communities Minister were entirely inappropriate in an already volatile situation?”
“Given that the families, including a pregnant woman and young children, were forced from their homes in Ballymena in the middle of the night to access emergency accommodation, why did the Minister feel that he should have been consulted?”
“Minister, what action have you taken in the interim to aid welfare payment delivery?”
“The U-turn that the Labour Government announced yesterday will have been welcome news for thousands of pensioners across the North. The announcement is a recognition by the British Government that they called it wrong in their initial decision to cut the winter fuel allowance. The Minister said that he is working on assessing the figures. Does he have an approximation of how many pensioners here's allowance will be reinstated at this stage?”
“Minister, there is a huge concern in the Irish language community about the support being provided for the Irish language. It has been reported in the media that a one-off allocation of €630,000 was made by the Irish Government to Foras na Gaeilge. The allocation is welcome, but its one-off nature means that, without a change of approach, the same difficulties could be faced this year. What work have you done to help to address the issue and ensure that the Irish language in the North is supported by a fair and sustainable funding model?”
“Coinneoimid linn ag díriú ár n-airde lena chinntiú go n-úsáidtear acmhainní ar bhealach éifeachtach, go háirithe le príomhsheirbhísí do na daoine is leochailí a chosaint. Beidh súil ghéar againn fosta ar fhorbairt plean cúig bliana airgeadais de chuid na Roinne. <BR /> <BR />I ndeireadh na dála, is uirlis riachtanach rialachais é an Bille Buiséid (Uimh. 2). Ach, má tá fíor-athrú ar sheirbhísí poiblí le bheith ann, caithfidh Rialtas na Breataine samhail maoinithe ilbhliantúil, inmharthana a thabhairt dúinn –bunaithe ar riachtanais ár bpobail, a éascaíonn an phleanáil fhadtéarmach, a thacaíonn leis an Chlár Rialtais, agus a fhágann gur féidir linn bogadh ón chur chuige géarchéime atá i réim faoi láthair.”
“<BR /> <BR />In ainneoin an tsocraithe maoinithe lochtaigh atá ag teacht ó Westminster – tá imní orainn faoin athbhreithniú caiteachais atá le teacht Dé Céadaoin – is ar an Roinn Pobal atá an dualgas na srianta sin a threorú ar bhealach cothrom soiléir, taobh istigh den chreat a údaraítear sa Bhille seo. <BR /> <BR />Gheobhaidh an tAire agus a chuid feidhmeannach comhpháirtithe fonnmhara sa Choiste san obair thábhachtach sin lena chinntiú go bpléitear le tosaíochtaí mar is cóir agus go ndéantar acmhainní a dháileadh go héifeachtach ar ár bpobal. Táimid ag súil le rannpháirtíocht bhríoch a bheith againn sa phróiseas monatóireachta agus sna hiarratais buiséid in-bhliana, ós rud é go bhfuil tionchar suntasach ag an mhaoiniú sin ar ghníomhaíochtaí riachtanacha.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mar shampla, cé go bhfuil an Roinn ag déanamh measúnú ar na hathruithe ar an leas shóisialach i mBileog Ghlas na Breataine, níl leithdháileadh airgeadais ar leith nó nua sa Bhuiséad do na hidirghabhálacha tacaíochta fostaíochta cuimsitheacha a bheadh riachtanach leis an dífhostaíocht a laghdú nó leis na hathruithe sin a mhaolú. Meastar go mbeifear ag brath ar thairiscintí maoinithe in-bhliana éiginnte sa réimse sin. Ar an chaoi chéanna, cuirfidh an bhearna atá ag an Roinn le bainistiú laistigh den bhliain brú breise ar na comhlachtaí páirt-spleácha agus ar an earnáil dheonach agus pobail – na comhpháirtithe soláthair is tábhachtaí atá againn.”
“Is easnamh ollmhór é sin a léiríonn fadhb leanúnach: ní riarann an blocdheontas a fhaigheann an Tuaisceart ar riachtanais ár bpobail ná ar riachtanais ár seirbhísí poiblí. <BR /> <BR />Seo fírinne an scéil: cé go n-údaraítear caiteachas tábhachtach leis an Bhille Buiséid (Uimh. 2), tá ar an Roinn Pobal cinntí an-deacra a dhéanamh. Mar shampla, chuir an Roinn in iúl dúinn go mbeidh teorainn ar infheistíocht sna hidirghabhálacha i gcúrsaí easpa dídine, sa chlár Tacaíochta do Dhaoine, agus sna hearnálacha cultúir, ealaíon, spóirt agus oidhreachta. <BR /> <BR />Tugann an Coiste faoi deara go bhfanfaidh an maoiniú san iomad earnálacha mar atá sé, rud a chiallaíonn, mar gheall ar an bhrú boilscithe reatha, go mbeidh dúshláin mhóra ann seirbhísí a sholáthar. Tá an Coiste ag coinneáil súil ar na brúnna atá ag teacht chun cinn.”
“Faigheann an Coiste comhfhreagras ó earnáil na n-ealaíon agus ó ghrúpaí eile faoin tionchar atá ag na cinntí airgeadais ar a maoiniú. <BR /> <BR />Údaraítear suimeanna móra airgid leis an Bhille do na feidhmeanna seo, lena n-áirítear teorainn chaiteachas ghlan na Roinne de £954·9 milliún agus teorainn chaiteachas caipitil ghlan na Roinne de £318·1 milliún. Mar sin féin, cé go soláthraítear an t-údarás dlí don chaiteachas sin leis an Bhille, agus b’fhéidir go bhfuil cuma suimeanna móra orthu, tá sé tábhachtach iad a chur i gcomhthéacs na faisnéise a cuireadh ar fáil don Choiste ón Roinn. Léirigh an Roinn easnamh i dteorainn chaiteachas neamh-imfhálaithe na Roinne de thart ar £98·6 milliún, i gcomparáid lena riachtanais féin.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tá freagracht an-leathan ar an Roinn Pobal – freagracht atá lárnach do leas ár bpobail: leas sóisialta, tithíocht agus tacaíocht do dhaoine le post a fháil, athghiniúint, na healaíona, cultúr, oidhreacht, agus an earnáil dheonach agus pobail atá chomh tábhachtach sin. <BR /> <BR />Labhair mé le déanaí sa Seomra faoin bhrú atá na deacrachtaí airgeadais ag cur ar na daoine is leochailí inár sochaí, agus an éiginnteacht atá os comhair an oiread sin daoine. Cuireadh an éiginnteacht sin chun donais de dheasca na n-athruithe atá beartaithe ar an chóras leasa shóisialaigh in Westminster agus de dheasca an pháirt-athraithe ar íocaíochtaí liúntas bhreosla an gheimhridh. Mar sin féin, tá tacaíochtaí do dhaoine i mbaol go fóill.”
“Tacaíonn an Coiste Pobal leis an Dara Céim den Bhille Buiséid (Uimh. 2). <BR /> <BR />Mar is eol do Chomhaltaí, soláthraítear an t-údarás reachtúil riachtanach leis an Bhille seo do na pleananna caiteachais a leagtar amach sna Príomh-Mheastacháin do 2025-26 a pléadh sa Tionól an tseachtain seo caite. Cé gur céim nós imeachta é, tá sé ríthábhachtach le caiteachas na Roinne don bhliain atá romhainn a chumasú. Tugaim aitheantas don ráiteas is déanaí ón Aire agus do na cruinnithe faisnéise a bhí againn le feidhmeannaigh, inar léiríodh go soiléir na brúnna airgeadais atá ann agus inar taispeánadh na tosaíochtaí caiteachais don bhliain airgeadais reatha.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister yesterday made significant announcements on a range of areas, including housing; employment support; public realm; the arts; and sport. The Committee looks forward to working with the Minister to see those projects delivered and to scrutinising the detail once he is in a position to update the Committee.”
“That, alongside the development of departmental five-year plans, should provide a more stable financial footing in the years ahead. However, we are acutely aware that the British Government are consulting on reform of the health and disability benefits system and employment support and have signalled a partial U-turn on winter fuel payments, which may lead to new or different budgetary pressures. Those issues are creating significant anxiety and concern in our community. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Communities will, of course, continue its diligent scrutiny throughout this financial year. That will include scrutiny of the in-year monitoring rounds and the anticipated changes to the benefits landscape to emanate from Westminster.”
“We will also continue to maintain a close watch on the mechanisms that are in place to ensure that funding for vital arts and cultural organisations is distributed in a timely and effective manner to allow them to sustain their invaluable work. <BR /> <BR />The Committee acknowledges the challenging financial environment faced by all Departments. There can be little doubt that the block grant significantly misses the mark, and we await the British Government's response to Professor Gerry Holtham's forthcoming review, which we expect to confirm that the North remains underfunded compared with relative need. We also look forward to the potential for greater long-term planning that may arise from the upcoming British Government comprehensive spending review and the Executive's move to multi-year budgeting.”
“Although today's motion concentrates on providing necessary overarching financial authority, our Committee remains focused on several key areas. We have consistently highlighted the need for clarity on and adequate resourcing of the forthcoming anti-poverty strategy. The strategy is a matter of significant public and Committee interest, and we await its publication and the launch of a consultation on it in the near future. Furthermore, the Committee has repeatedly sought detailed briefings on the Department's plans and funding for the protection and maintenance of our built heritage. That is a critical part of the Department's remit and is worthy of scrutiny.”
“The Department has also outlined modest uplifts to support its arm's-length bodies (ALBs) and the voluntary and community sector, which face increased pay and National Insurance costs, providing an additional £3·7 million and £2·8 million retrospectively. <BR /> <BR />For culture, arts, heritage and sport, the Main Estimates detail resource DEL of approximately £105 million and capital DEL of £42·2 million. However, the Department's briefing to the Committee on 8 May indicated that bids for further investment in those sectors could not be met from its initial allocation. Those core responsibilities of the Department must be supported. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Communities will continue its detailed scrutiny of the Department's spending decisions and their impact on service delivery.”
“Although that is a welcome investment, the Committee remains keenly aware of the broader annual target of 2,000 homes and the ongoing and urgent housing issues here. <BR /> <BR />On resource spending, the Committee acknowledges the earmarked funding of £16·9 million for benefit delivery staffing, with the aim of recruiting up to 400 additional staff. That is a positive development for maintaining essential services, although we note the Department's advice that the funding has not yet been confirmed as recurrent. The Committee will maintain a keen interest in any forthcoming review of the 1,000 ongoing vacancies, which the Minister referenced in his statement yesterday, and the potential impact on front-line service delivery.”
“That rise of 7% is driven by forecasts for social security benefit spending this year. Departmental officials recently informed the Committee that, while some pressures have been addressed, the Department faces a non-ring-fenced resource DEL shortfall of £98·6 million or 12% against its identified requirements. Inevitably, that means that many vital services will operate within standstill budgets, which presents considerable challenges in the current economic climate. <BR /> <BR />I will now drill into some of the specific allocations in the Department for Communities budget. The Committee notes that the capital DEL increase is significantly driven by an additional £100 million allocated for social housing. That is intended to support approximately 900 to 1,000 new social housing starts.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Department for Communities, with its extensive remit aimed at working together to improve communities through tackling poverty and disadvantage, supporting equality and diversity and promoting employment, culture and heritage, accounts for a very significant portion of the overall Budget, not least as it employs over 11,000 staff to deliver vital public services that often provide financial support to those in our community who are most in need. The Main Estimates detail a total net resource departmental expenditure limit for the Department of £954·9 million and a total net capital DEL of £318·1 million. Its resource annually managed expenditure (AME), primarily for social security and pension payments, is projected to be over £10·4 billion.”
“As Chairperson of the Committee for Communities, I will indicate the Committee's support for the Supply resolution for the Main Estimates for 2025-26. As Members are well aware, the Estimates detail the spending plans of Departments and other public bodies and form the basis for the authorisation of sufficient funding and resources for services, as will be detailed in the corresponding Budget (No. 2) Bill.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. Minister, you said that you understood that there would be concerns and questions about the proposed allocations: there will indeed. We have not had a huge amount of time to see the details, but I suspect that Members will look at the allocations in more detail. <BR /> <BR />You referred in the statement to restoring confidence in the welfare system. Given the British Government's decisions around winter fuel payments and their Green Paper on withdrawing support for many people with disabilities, what concrete assurances can you give to the most vulnerable in society that they will be protected and supported during these challenging times?”
“Given the growing number of older people who are facing poverty, will the Minister advise on when he will make a statement to the House on the anti-poverty strategy, which he brought to the Executive last week?”
“After many years of waiting for an anti-poverty strategy, we need to ensure that we have a robust and ambitious plan that will effectively tackle the root causes of poverty and deprivation. It is unclear why the strategy, having been brought to the Executive last week, has not been brought to the Chamber as a statement today. I urge the Minister to make that statement as a matter of urgency so that we can continue to press on that important strategy on behalf of all the people who have been waiting for it for so long.”