Karen Mullan
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I support the motion but would like it to have gone further. Damp and mould do not exist only in Housing Executive properties, so it is important for us to address and identify solutions for all homeowners. The right to a high-quality, safe and secure place to call home is one of the most basic and fundamental rights in any society.”
“<BR /> <BR />For the purpose of today's debate, I will focus on Creggan in my constituency, where hundreds of homes have been affected for many years by damp and mould because of lack of ventilation and poor insulation. Following the SERC report, surveys were carried out of properties in Creggan in 2015 and 2016.”
“I also carried out an online survey of residents who lived in Housing Executive and housing association properties affected by damp. Respondents outlined timelines of their experiences of damp and mould, with one resident reporting having experienced it for 33 years — absolutely shocking.”
“<BR /> <BR />The extent of the issues facing tenants was initially brought to light by the research carried out by the South Eastern Regional College in 2014. The research found that many homes suffered poor and inadequate levels of thermal protection, resulting in unnecessary energy losses and assumed high heating costs.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said at the beginning, the Housing Executive is not the only housing provider that needs to act. I want to see the housing associations putting plans in place immediately to address the same defects in their homes, with grants made more widely available to homeowners and those in the private rented sector, so that everyo…”
“Occupational therapy is one of the most important areas of health about which constituents contact my office. I am sure that that is the same for many Members. You have given us an answer, but I want to highlight that, as of December 2020, there were at least 120 occupational therapy staff vacancies.”
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“Thank you. Minister, you answered my supplementary question. I had been going to ask for an update on those conversations with the Exchequer, so thank you for that.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I welcome his commitment to ensuring that the rates bill for businesses has taken into account the impact of the pandemic over the past 18 months. Will the Minister provide an update on Reval 2023?”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said at the beginning, the Housing Executive is not the only housing provider that needs to act. I want to see the housing associations putting plans in place immediately to address the same defects in their homes, with grants made more widely available to homeowners and those in the private rented sector, so that everyone can have a warm and safe home.”
“I also carried out an online survey of residents who lived in Housing Executive and housing association properties affected by damp. Respondents outlined timelines of their experiences of damp and mould, with one resident reporting having experienced it for 33 years — absolutely shocking. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that the Housing Executive has made progress. A scheme to address building defects and wall insulation is in the pipeline. The first phase will see £3 million investment into Housing Executive properties in Creggan. Tenants have waited too long and suffered too many cold and damp winters. I hope that there are no further delays. I know that Minister Hargey is committed to delivering on the highest standard of housing for all.”
“<BR /> <BR />For the purpose of today's debate, I will focus on Creggan in my constituency, where hundreds of homes have been affected for many years by damp and mould because of lack of ventilation and poor insulation. Following the SERC report, surveys were carried out of properties in Creggan in 2015 and 2016. The surveys found that insulation had broken down in all the properties that were inspected and that some had poorly fitted tiles and eaves. With these findings, tenants expected to see remedial works brought forward immediately, so when work was deferred in 2018, and CIT was commissioned, residents were disappointed. <BR /> <BR />In 2020, when Minister Hargey took up her post, I engaged on behalf of the residents of Creggan with her, her Department and the Housing Executive.”
“<BR /> <BR />The extent of the issues facing tenants was initially brought to light by the research carried out by the South Eastern Regional College in 2014. The research found that many homes suffered poor and inadequate levels of thermal protection, resulting in unnecessary energy losses and assumed high heating costs. More recently, a much larger piece of research was carried out by Consultancy, Investigation and Training (CIT), which was commissioned by the Housing Executive and published in May 2019. That research went further, looking at the fabric of the property to see other building deficiencies that could be causing damp.”
“I support the motion but would like it to have gone further. Damp and mould do not exist only in Housing Executive properties, so it is important for us to address and identify solutions for all homeowners. The right to a high-quality, safe and secure place to call home is one of the most basic and fundamental rights in any society. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin recognises the urgent need for investment in our housing stock. Minister Hargey's revitalisation programme includes not only building new homes to address the numbers in housing stress but maintaining and retrofitting existing stock to ensure that it is up to standard. My party recently responded to the Housing Executive's draft cavity wall insulation action plan consultation, on issues with cavity wall insulation in its housing stock.”
“Will the Minister outline what measures are in place to ensure that employees have the opportunity to relocate to Ballykelly?”
“Occupational therapy is one of the most important areas of health about which constituents contact my office. I am sure that that is the same for many Members. You have given us an answer, but I want to highlight that, as of December 2020, there were at least 120 occupational therapy staff vacancies. You gave us an update on the training. Is your Department taking any other action to address the issue?”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, I put on record our thanks to the Minister and the departmental officials, in particular, Liam and Carol, and to Claire from the Bill Office for their work and support throughout the Committee's deliberations.”
“The clause is also restrictive when you take into account the various sports that some young people are involved in and the different months of the year in which they operate. For example, I am the secretary of the Waterside Boxing Club, and our season usually finishes in May and returns in the middle of August. Amendment No 53 will allow under-18s to attend up to three award ceremonies per year between 1 May and 30 September. Again, we support that amendment. <BR /> <BR />We also support the Minister's drafting improvements in amendment Nos 40 to 43 regarding not allowing alcohol sales from vending machines. We are supportive of the Committee's amendment No 44, which requires the Minister of Health to legislate to introduce minimum unit pricing. We also support amendment Nos 51 to 57 and amendment No 62.”
“The Committee had lengthy discussions on the clauses about underage functions and private functions. As the parent of two young people, I share the worries of many parents whose children are going to school formals and have to leave to go to unsupervised parties. We want a safe and controlled environment for our young people to enjoy a night out with their friends. <BR /> <BR />Clause 29 was discussed at length during the Committee's deliberations. As the Bill stands, under-18s can attend only one award ceremony in the bar area of a sporting club premises per year between 1 June and 31 August. That is unfair to many young people, especially those who play for more than one team in a club. They will miss out on their award ceremony due to the clause.”
“Amendment No 37 clarifies the policy intent of the Bill and fixes the problem or offence that would occur under the legislation as introduced. It would allow a young person to remain on licensed premises while waiting to be collected. We will support that important amendment, as it tightens the protection for young people, especially late at night. Amendment No 39 allows another adult to fulfil the role of a parent or guardian while a young person attends functions or events; we will support that.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee heard from the Safeguarding Board about the dangers of alcohol misuse among children and their parents. We also heard from the board that young people are drinking less and that there is less binge-drinking behaviour, which shows that some progress has been made on health messages. That needs to continue to be built upon. That said, binge drinking and alcohol addiction continue to rise among our adult population. As the Chair highlighted, the Departments and Assembly should work more closely with young people to design and deliver education programmes around alcohol and continue to listen to and learn from our young people. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 35 to 38 cover underage functions, and we will support those.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many of the amendments in this group centre on under-18s and underage functions. I joined the Committee in the middle of its deliberations. I welcomed the fact that the Committee had organised an informal stakeholder event with young people, which I attended. Like the Chair, I thank and commend the young people, whose contribution was invaluable. I hope that that will continue with the other legislation that will be coming through the Committee, particularly, as the Committee noted at that event, the gambling legislation. It would be good to see that. It was important that the young people were given the opportunity to take part and inform the amendments to the Bill, as a lot has changed since many of us were young. We heard about that on the night of the event.”
“As the Chair and other members of the Committee have highlighted, the Committee undertook a wide range of evidence sessions with interested parties in the health, justice, tourism, hospitality and many more sectors. During our deliberations, we heard of the clear need to modernise our licensing laws. I welcome the amendments to the Licensing and Registration of Clubs Bill that Minister Hargey has tabled. The Bill is an important piece of legislation that will have a positive impact on our hospitality, entertainment and tourism sectors. <BR /> <BR />The group 3 amendments look at minimising alcohol-related harm in society. As the Chair outlined, the Committee heard evidence from a wide range of sectors, including health, and from other jurisdictions on how changes in their laws have impacted on or reduced alcohol-related harm.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and for her commitment to creating opportunities for our young people, particularly in constituencies such as mine. Can she outline how many job opportunities in total will be created throughout the Job Start scheme?”
“I also acknowledge and thank the research team and departmental officials, who provided briefings and information when required to support scrutiny of the Bill as it made its way through the various stages. I am content that the improved regulation and oversight will provide better protection for pension scheme members and their savings. I therefore support the Bill's passing its Final Stage.”
“It is clear that master trusts have emerged as a popular choice following the introduction of auto-enrolment and that the manner in which people manage and access their pensions has changed over the years. It is therefore crucial that the regulations evolve and keep pace with those changes and that additional safeguards be put in place for pension scheme members. The Bill is a result of that process. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister and the Deputy Chair of the Committee for summarising the detail of the Bill today and highlighting the main aspects, which include additional powers for the Pensions Regulator and the capping of early exit charges in occupational pension schemes.”
“Thank you, Minister, for that update. Clearly, investment is needed in the Derry to Coleraine railway line. Will the Minister give me an update on the active travel centre that is meant to be part of the north-west transport hub? I understand that your Department has made an application to the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) for funding.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. As someone who travels from those parts, I know that that would be very welcome for many. Minister, will you consider putting in place measures to ensure that those from the most disadvantaged areas and background are given the best opportunity to avail themselves of the new employment opportunities?”
“Minister, I welcome your giving earlier direction and clarity this year. I declare an interest as the mother of a year 12 student. You will have heard me say that before, but, from her perspective and that of other students whom I have spoken to over the past couple of weeks, because some schools have continued with ongoing assessment, that pressure on them has affected their mental health and well-being. What consideration have you and CCEA given to a recovery curriculum for our students?”
“As we have heard, as a result of the Westminster Pension Schemes Act progressing ahead of the Pension Schemes Bill, they focus largely on changes to numbering and ordering as well as additional references not currently included. The amendments also ensure that the Bill's provisions are interlinked with other pensions legislation in place here. <BR /> <BR />I thank the research team and the departmental officials who provided briefings to support the scrutiny of the Bill so far for their time and expertise. <BR /> <BR />I am content that these amendments do not make any policy changes, and therefore I support them.”
“Having recently joined the Committee for Communities, I welcome this opportunity to speak on the Pension Schemes Bill, which has been making its way through the various stages for several months now. <BR /> <BR />The Bill, as I understand it, aims to provide additional safeguards for pension scheme members through a variety of mechanisms. Over the years, the manner in which people manage and access their pensions has changed. It is vital that the regulations keep pace with that and provide the necessary protections. <BR /> <BR />The amendments are technical in nature. I thank the Minister and her officials for providing the detail and the rationale for bringing them forward.”
“I thank the Minister for his extensive answer. I also thank him for agreeing to meet Tamzin White, who recently lost her mum. You will hear from her about the lack of detox services in the north-west region, particularly for females, and the real impact that that has. <BR /> <BR />The Minister responded to me earlier about the New Decade, New Approach commitment. He said that funding will be decided by a joint board of the Secretary of State, the deputy First Minister and the First Minister. Will the Health Minister take forward, to that joint board, the message that this is a commitment that needs to be funded and that it should be a priority?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, in theme 5, you talk about the community and voluntary sector's role. In Derry, there is a clear need for a detox centre of excellence for addiction. What priority have you put on that vital centre and the inclusion of the community and voluntary sector in working with it?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, unfortunately, there is a growing concern in Derry that you are less than enthusiastic about fulfilling the commitment for the expansion of the Magee campus that is in 'New Decade, New Approach'. Can you provide an update on any engagements and work with Ulster University on the commitment to deliver an expansion of the campus to 10,000 students?”
“Minister, will you support the establishment of an independent gambling regulator?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I agree that the time for words of concern has now passed. I say that as someone who comes from the Western Trust area. On top of all the legacy issues, we have struggled to attract and retain staff. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I very much welcome the additional funding for carers' charities and organisations. What reassurances can you give those who have been left to cope in their own home that statutory respite services will resume safely and equitably?”
“I urge the Minister for the Economy to work with employers, trade unions and regional colleges to address that in time for September. The Executive spend millions of pounds a year on public contracts. Again, if we are serious about changing and improving outcomes for our young people, we need to ensure that all government contracts include properly enforceable social clauses. <BR /> <BR />Finally, in order to bring about the required systemic change, the Executive must work collaboratively across Departments and make linkages that change people's lives for the better. Sinn Féin will support the motion, but I will put on record that those who tabled it know full well that Minister Hargey and Minister Murphy are fully committed to delivering this programme.”
“Along with schools, further and higher educational institutions and others, I would like to know when that piece of work will be completed. Changes regarding apprenticeships are under way, but those do not go far enough. <BR /> <BR />As someone who has seen the benefits and difficulties in the apprenticeship scheme, I want to highlight an area of grave concern to me. Each year, I have young fellas from Creggan, Galliagh, Top of the Hill and right across my city coming to me searching for help to find a work placement, often weeks into their course and under real threat of having to leave their course. It becomes a lottery and, many times, is left to pot luck. That is unfair and needs to change now. Young fellas coming into apprenticeships must be fully supported. They must also receive a fair and just wage.”
“I commend Minister Hargey and Carál Ní Chuilín for their work in addressing youth unemployment. It is important that any scheme that delivers for young people and is providing training and skills addresses all barriers to employment. Those charged with delivering the programmes must be held accountable. If done right, it could make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people, particularly as we emerge from COVID. <BR /> <BR />Apprenticeships are a key entry point to the workforce for young people who follow a vocational path at school. The Department for the Economy and the Department of Education have been reviewing the 14-19 strategy for a number of years. I have engaged with both Departments and others on that.”
“No one needs to tell me or Sinn Féin about the need to tackle long-term unemployment and neglect. I come from Derry, which, alongside north and west Belfast, consistently ranks amongst the worst areas when it comes to unemployment and joblessness. If we are to truly deliver for our young people and to offer them real hope and opportunity, we need to transform Invest NI. My colleague Martina Anderson recently published a 'Tackling Regional Inequalities, Breaking the Barriers to Employment and Opportunity' policy document, which argues for long-term, strategic solutions to those issues. <BR /> <BR />Minister Hargey has confirmed her commitment to the Job Start scheme. After discussing the scheme with both Minister Hargey and Minister Murphy, I am confident that the scheme will go ahead.”
“Young people were disproportionately impacted on in the last downturn, and youth unemployment is projected to rise as a result of COVID and Brexit. The Department for the Economy and the Department for Communities have a shared role to play in addressing that.”
“Young people's education, training, skills and opportunities are areas that I am very passionate about. I welcome the opportunity to debate this very important issue as there is no doubt that we can all agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on our young people. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that we put measures in place to support young people, none more important than developing their skills and providing opportunities for employment and training. Sinn Féin is fully committed to making sure that everyone in our society has the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to avail themselves of the opportunities to gain meaningful employment so that people can provide for themselves and their families. <BR /> <BR />Rising unemployment has been an issue for decades for people aged 16 to 24.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Following on from my what my Foyle colleague said, a good outcome of COVID has been more people being active, getting out and about and enjoying our outdoors. Will you give an update on any investment that your Department will make to light our walkways and green spaces and make them more user-friendly? I am thinking of the Foyle Road and Bay Road areas in my city.”
“I thank the First Minister for her statement. Minister, following on from the question on businesses, can you confirm whether the COVID restrictions business support scheme (CRBSS) grant will be extended? <BR /> <BR />I have been contacted today about a number of things. However, an outstanding one is whether you can give clarity on whether golf is included in the outdoor sports. You would make a lot of people happy if you said, "Yes". Is there any update on whether driving tests are to resume?”
“The Member is on the all-party group on further and higher education with me. Will the Member agree that the Health Minister should immediately clarify the situation and make sure that all students, including those in clinical placements, receive the COVID disruption student support and be included in that scheme?”
“We support the motion and look forward to the proposer of the motion prioritising these issues in the Budget negotiations at the Executive and supporting the Finance Minister.”
“Over the last number of weeks, I have met some of those organisations, and they are rightly concerned about further cliff edges, time frames and a lack of budget for extending the welfare mitigation package. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's commitment to closing the loopholes in the bedroom tax and the benefit cap mitigations. I am heartened by the support from parties here for the mitigation, and I hope that it will be consistent and evident when it comes before the Executive, when the Budget is being decided. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has clearly said in the Chamber that she fully supports the independent advice sector and will find the money in the Budget to cover the £1·5 million. For that reason, we will not support Mr Carroll's amendment, which is an attempt to grab a cheap headline.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mitigations and easing the benefit system, while welcome, cannot eradicate poverty. If we are serious about tackling poverty, we must identify the root causes. I welcome the work of the Minister and her Department, along with the members of the expert panel and the co-design working group who are developing a long-term anti-poverty strategy. <BR /> <BR />There are clear priorities that must be explored as part of any review, and I commend organisations such as the Human Rights Commission, Cliff Edge Coalition, Advice NI, Marie Curie and so many others who have invested time and effort raising awareness of them and highlighting their impact.”
“As an MLA for Foyle, I am grateful for the £1·5 million given to Derry City and Strabane District Council for the COVID community support scheme, alongside the central support of access to food packages and support for fuel and interventions on well-being. I acknowledge the work and support of the community and advice sector in delivering that vital support. <BR /> <BR />The Communities Minister introduced changes to the social security system to make it easier for those affected by COVID to access financial support during the crisis, in particular enhancing the discretionary support fund to provide a grant payment for short-term living expenses for those affected by COVID and experiencing crisis or financial hardship. She later increased the level of the available award, raised the income threshold and included students.”
“Nevertheless, we are in a different time, and I very much welcome the cross-party support that now exists for the mitigations. I hope that that support extends to prioritising the funding at the Executive without delay. <BR /> <BR />In January 2020, we all signed up to 'New Decade, New Approach', and my party ensured that welfare mitigations were included. Unfortunately, we have yet to see the British Government live up to the commitments they made in 'New Decade, New Approach', not only on welfare but on other areas. <BR /> <BR />Weeks into the re-establishment of the Assembly, we were hit by COVID. The Communities Minister was quick to act to support the most vulnerable, both practically and financially.”
“I welcome the motion on welfare support. Since the introduction of the draconian so-called welfare reform measures by the Tory Government as part of their misguided austerity agenda, Sinn Féin has been firmly opposed to cuts aimed at punishing rather than protecting those in receipt of welfare benefits. The Fresh Start Agreement in 2015 established an unprecedented welfare package of £585 million that Sinn Féin argued and fought hard to have established. I am proud of the role that my party, particularly the late Martin McGuinness, played in achieving that. The measures need to be maintained and built on. <BR /> <BR />There was a time when the party that now proposes this motion was utterly opposed to any form of mitigation that would set us out as distinct from the cuts agenda being played out in Britain.”
“I know that you are committed to improving protections for tenants in the private rented sector, and I have written to you and the Housing Executive about unlicensed HMOs in Derry. Minister, what is your Department's oversight role in the licensing of HMOs, and what is it doing to address the unlicensed HMOs?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I welcome the progress, in particular, at Meenan Square, as will the residents of Dove Gardens and Abbots Walk who have had to endure that eyesight for far too many years. It is important that we continue to invest in our communities and neighbourhoods alongside the bigger strategic projects in city deal. Minister, I notice that the public realm project is in the early development stage. That will put the finishing touches to the projects. Can you give a timescale for when that project is likely to go ahead?”
“Finally, I appeal to Minister Swann to give the issue his immediate and serious attention, to deliver the detox centre of excellence that was promised in 'New Decade, New Approach' and to keep his offer to meet Tamzin.”
“Other Members for Foyle and I have raised the issue in the Assembly and will continue to do so. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that every Member in the Assembly today knows of a relative, friend or colleague who is battling or has battled addiction. Addiction is no longer an affliction that brings shame on a family or community; it is a disease, like many others, that we as a society battle every day of the week. We need to ensure that we, as legislators and the Government, provide the services and treatments that our citizens need and deserve. <BR /> <BR />It may be too late for Louise, but, for many others, it is not too late. I appeal on behalf of Tamzin: do not let this commitment that we all made last January be another false dawn. The people of Derry and the north-west region need the service, and we need it now.”
“Louise was only 40 years of age. She was a mother to three beautiful daughters: Tamzin, 18 years old; and two younger girls, Farrah and Lola-May. Louise was also a much-loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend. <BR /> <BR />Yet again, because of addiction, a family has lost a loved one who should have had her whole life in front of her. This has been a campaign and a clearly identified need in Derry for many years. Along with many citizens of Derry, I call on Minister of Health Robin Swann to listen and to make plans for the delivery of the much-needed services for many suffering families and individuals. 'New Decade, New Approach' clearly refers to additional funding to support an addiction centre in Derry. That is a clear commitment that all parties in the Executive signed up to in January 2020.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, for accepting this petition. Today, I bring forward an online petition, which is signed by over 9,000 people, for a detox centre and centre of excellence for addiction in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area. On International Women's Day, I present this petition on behalf of a very brave and inspirational young woman called Tamzin White, who recently lost her mother, Louise, to a long battle against alcohol addiction.”