Deirdre Hargey
South Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“His double standards, including his condemnation of and opposition to equality and rights for our LGBTQ+ citizens, have caused real harm to others. The revelations about his double life expose the staggering hypocrisy of the DUP's moral facade. We need to know whether failing to act sooner left more vulnerable people at risk.”
“One week ago today, Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of 18 child sexual offences, including rape. That conviction was made possible only by the strength and resilience of the two victims who came forward and reported the abuse. Donaldson was an abuser. He abused children, but he also abused his position in politics and faith.”
“They now say that they knew about his behaviour, but, crucially, they did nothing to expose his inappropriate hypocrisy and double life. The 'Spotlight' programme and other reports have shown that senior members of the DUP — its most senior figures, including the then leader, Edwin Poots — were aware of serious issues and allegations abou…”
“It is therefore not credible to suggest that the intelligence agencies were blind to his compromised double standards and double life. <BR /> <BR />Those questions demand answers from the DUP leadership. They demand answers in the House from the deputy First Minister, who was closely associated with Donaldson.”
“It is clear that there is a huge disconnect between Whitehall and the reality that is being felt by people on the ground. A British Treasury policy that is managing decay, real-terms cuts and disastrous policy decisions such as Brexit or the funding of wars over public services comes on top of existing disparities between how public servi…”
“The answer is not the short-term fixes or cash injections that we have had in the past, which have allowed for the repeated Treasury script of record settlements and inability of the Executive to manage their finances — scripts that are often parroted in the Chamber.”
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“It is good that the mitigations are starting to progress. We passed the regulations to extend the existing mitigations, and they are starting to go through at the moment and have been laid. We are also working through the legislation. We had Consideration Stage last week and discussed the bedroom tax, and I am thankful that we got the support of the full House after an amendment on the bedroom tax and reached the decision not to have an end date in the legislation. The legislation will go to Further Consideration Stage, and the aim is to have all this completed before the end of the mandate. That includes closing the loopholes in the bedroom tax mitigation, which will see protection for hundreds of families who have been impacted on.”
“I would have to look at legal advice around that. I could not say that now. As Minister, I warned or advised against pushing the issue at this point. Again, I am open to looking at legal advice, and I will come back to the Member.”
“When we were going through those amendments, I raised concerns about the amendment that was proposed and subsequently passed. I said that there would be unintended consequences as a result, so this is, in fact, the outworking of the concerns that I raised as Minister. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the legislation is passed and the will of the Assembly has spoken, but we are trying to work through those unintended consequences and issues as quickly as possible. Once I have a date for when we can progress them fully, I will write to Members to update them on that.”
“As you said, it is an Executive-wide policy, so any new schemes or proposals would need the approval of the Executive, as would any additional budget. We know the circumstances. The Finance Minister is seeking legal advice to see whether the Budget can be progressed. If not, we cannot look at a new budget with new and additional programmes of work going into next year. <BR /> <BR />For any proposals that are coming forward within the anti-poverty strategy, first, they cannot be signed off as policy, and, secondly, we cannot secure or agree the budget in order to progress them. They are on hold until an Executive are up and running. I will do what I can to mitigate in the interim, but some things are just not possible without the Executive.”
“<BR /> <BR />There was always the intent that we would bring the strategy forward before the end of the mandate. There were difficulties because the co-design group needed a bit more time to look through the issues. However, with no Executive, it will be in a new mandate or whenever an Executive can be up and running for all the inclusion strategies to go forward.”
“Good work has been ongoing with the anti-poverty strategy and, indeed, all the other inclusion strategies. Over a year ago, we appointed an expert panel that published a report, which is on the Department's website. After that, we got into co-design groups. There are a number of organisations and individuals involved in the co-design group for the anti-poverty strategy, which includes looking at children's poverty. <BR /> <BR />They are working at the moment. I met them, in December, when they were putting forward their proposals and position paper. I met the chair of the group again in recent weeks. A date was set for the middle of March to meet all Ministers around the Executive table to present that. Now, I am looking to see whether we are able to do that without the Executive Office Ministers being in position.”
“The mitigations review is ongoing. The aim is for the panel to submit a report to me shortly. I was then to bring recommendations on the outworkings of the panel to the Executive. With no Executive in place, I am unable to do that, which means that looking at any further mitigations cannot be done until a new Executive are in place to identify and agree which additional mitigations should be taken forward.”
“It is about making sure that we find a variety of offers that suit the needs of the person who is applying and that we can offer whatever method they are most comfortable with.”
“We are keeping that under review with the changes in the restrictions. We know the difficulties in getting the changes through. Hopefully, the Health Minister will make an announcement on that shortly. <BR /> <BR />Over that period from 1 July, 30 appointments were booked for face-to-face assessments, at which 17 people attended. Nine did not show up, and that could have been for a variety of reasons. If anyone requests a face-to-face meeting, we will consider that. <BR /> <BR />I want to get to a point when we are offering face-to-face appointments again and not just for a prescriptive group. Many people found a benefit in having telephone assessments. Some do not want to do face-to-face assessments.”
“Face-to-face assessments for PIP resumed on 1 July last year. Currently, that is only for those who are unable to take part in a telephone assessment due to their condition; for example, people with hearing or speech impairments, those who do not have a telephone or those who experience technical difficulties with calls. The Department will continue to monitor the policy in that area as COVID-19 restrictions begin to change.”
“The Department of Health is looking at an integrated system that will start to bring that all under one roof, but getting to that point will take time. That is why we are working closely with Health. We need to work closely with Health, because it has the professionals who can do the assessments and, importantly, who know the individuals. Those conversations are ongoing.”
“That is part of the discussion that we have been having. I welcomed the NIPSO report, and we continue to work with the ombudsman on the recommendations that she laid out around making changes. We have already started to bring more of the assessments in-house, and that is part of it. I have already signed off on my policy intent to bring that service in-house again. <BR /> <BR />Part of the difficulty, as I understand it, is that there is no single database in the health system that holds all of that information. We hit that problem when we looked at food access during the pandemic and tried to get all the information for those who were shielding. Those records are kept by different surgeries, which all use different systems.”
“Unfortunately, it never made it on to the Executive table to be discussed. I have already communicated with the Health Minister and the Department of Health to see how they can work with us and to look at a date on which we could start to bring those services in-house or, at least, pilot that approach in each health trust. Those discussions are ongoing. Once I have more definitive information or dates, I can provide those to the House.”
“I have already given a policy intent that I want those services to be brought in-house again. I want to make sure that that is done, but, in order to do that, I need to work with the Department of Health. Obviously, we have been looking at the Scottish model and others to see the approach that they take, working through local health trusts. The closer we can align the assessments to health professionals who know the individuals, their injuries and their physical or mental disabilities, the better an assessment that will make. When you look at the appeals, you see that it is the new evidence that is presented at the later stage of the appeals process that overturns the original decision. It is about front-loading all that as much as possible. <BR /> <BR />I made a case to the Executive for additional funding to do that.”
“We have recently passed regulations around extensions. Those are working their way through at the moment, with all claimants being notified as soon as possible.”
“Of those who are paid PIP, around 63,000, which is 39%, receive the maximum amount payable. <BR /> <BR />We continue to keep it under review. It is important that the applicant gets any new or additional information in as soon as possible so that it can be assessed. If we can do that through a desktop exercise in the Department, we hope to do that to speed up the process.”
“As I said, the reason we try to seek the information earlier is just the time it takes for the assessment process and to look at any new information or evidence. We want to avoid taking it too close to the end of the assessment period because, if the review is not completed on time or someone does not turn up for an assessment, that could stop the payment, which would have a knock-on effect on other benefits that I listed. <BR /> <BR />As I said, nearly half of the assessments are now done in-house. I want to continue to increase the number of assessments being done in-house. For some of those with longer-term awards, we are trying to turn those over to ensure that a bigger percentage goes through, and 81% have been given an award of five years or more.”
“<BR /> <BR />All PIP review forms are scrutinised immediately on receipt by the Department to establish if a PIP can be awarded again, either at the same rate as before or at an increased rate, if there has been a change, without the need for an assessment. Currently, close to half of the PIP reviews are determined in-house by the Department, meaning that claimants can be notified straight away of the outcome of the review, and, where appropriate, awards are increased immediately. All processes are continually kept under review.”
“Last year, just over 22,000 PIP reviews were processed. Therefore, it is important to allow a maximum period for reviews to be completed to prevent any risk of a person’s existing PIP payment running out. That is essential as the end of a PIP award can impact on other benefits currently in payment, such as carer's allowance and income-related benefits. The review process begins only when the form is returned, and anyone who needs more time to complete the form, including help to fill it in, will be given it if they contact the Department. In addition, last April, I introduced the completion of PIP award reviews in-house where sufficient evidence is available.”
“No. I intended to present that to the Executive. They need to sign off on the new engagement programme and my proposals for how the money will be utilised. I am unable to do that until an Executive is up and running again.”
“This would have been a brilliant programme to get out before the end of the mandate, but, unfortunately, with no Executive, we are not able to do that.”
“I will try to find every way possible, but, if the restriction is that the programme and the remaining budget need sign-off, I have to bring that to the Executive. If there is a way round that, I will certainly do it. Of course, that is also tied into the Budget discussion: if a Budget cannot be signed off for the next financial year, there will be implications for the programme. <BR /> <BR />Of course, I will continue to find a way. I completely recognise the role that football has at the grassroots. We saw the IFA work with Ulster Rugby and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) throughout the pandemic. We saw the impact on mental health and well-being when sport was taken away because of the restrictions. I have also seen, through a small capital grants programme, clubs coming forward and looking for additional resources.”
“I remain fully committed to delivering the programme within the mandate. Obviously, the mandate is still running, but the absence of an Executive will add further delays to the programme.”
“The questionnaires that were filled out by local clubs across the board demonstrate the need. As I said, there is a changed need for grassroots sports and the involvement of women. Unfortunately, I cannot give a date because there is no Executive to sign off and commit to the final budget.”
“The proposal was always to go back to the Executive for final sign-off and for the funding to be committed. That had not been done. It is not my fault that people walked out of the Executive. I had aimed for that to be done before the end of the mandate, but unfortunately, because some chose to walk away, decisions cannot be taken by the Executive.”
“I suppose that it is important to highlight that I will not be able to progress the scheme as it is at the moment, because the agreement was always that I needed to take any proposals to the Executive for approval and for sign-off on the programme and the funding. With no Executive, that cannot be done.”
“Collaboration has taken place through the advisory working group, which provides expert insight on facility needs for soccer at all levels. That group includes the Irish Football Association (IFA), the NI Football League, Sport NI and the Department. There has also been engagement with councils, which provide pitches across the board for clubs at a local level. <BR /> <BR />Some notable changes have been identified to date, including a significant increase in participation in grassroots sports and a rapid growth in the female game. Obviously, all the evidence gathered is under consideration.”
“The subregional stadia programme provides a real opportunity not only to address the needs of soccer but to benefit respective communities with societal, economic and cultural enrichment. You will be aware of the history of the programme, including the public consultation back in 2015 and early 2016, and I share the frustrations expressed by some Members that the programme is yet to be implemented since its original endorsement in 2011. However, as I have stated, with the passage of time from the period when I came into post, there was a need to refresh and re-engage with clubs and organisations on the ground. Officials had carried out a club survey and engaged in strategic discussions with key stakeholders who oversee the game, operate facilities and support the game at all levels.”
“With your permission, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will answer questions 3 and 4 together.”
“As was stated earlier, over the past 10 years, over £10 million has been invested in the development. The overall development represents £50 million of investment to bring about a massive transformation of the Bangor seafront. It would bring in a hotel, resulting in overnight stays that would have an impact on the local economy. It would also see the construction of 137 new homes, 70,000 square feet of office space, a destination and cinema space, and indoor and outdoor activity space. It would make a huge contribution by transforming the area not only physically but socially and economically. It would act as a catalyst for further investment in transforming Bangor and the surrounding areas.”
“I have communicated with the Infrastructure Minister on the importance of the scheme. As I said, it was one of the first projects that I visited as Minister, and I could see the need for regeneration and investment in the area and the knock-on effect that regeneration would have for local businesses and for housing for the inhabitants of the area. I cannot stray into another Minister's remit, however, particularly in planning circumstances. The Department has to make a decision on whether to call in the application. <BR /> <BR />As I said, I have put resource into working with the council to make sure that any study that needs to be completed is done as quickly as possible, and I will continue to lend my support and call for the scheme to be done as quickly as possible.”
“I have written to my colleague in the Department for Infrastructure to highlight the project's importance to my Department and the wider area and the impact that it would have on those in the council area. We are just waiting on the outcome of the Minister's decision on whether the Department will call in the application. <BR /> <BR />As I have highlighted, we are continuing to work with the council on any outstanding reports. We have put resource into that to make sure that it is done as quickly as possible, but I cannot overstep my bounds into another Minister's portfolio, so I have to await the results of a call-in procedure, if one is to be enacted.”
“My officials have been engaging with key stakeholders to progress the project as quickly as possible. Ards and North Down Borough Council is working closely with the reservoir manager to seek completion of the reservoir engineer's inspection report. Indeed, my Department has provided funding to ensure that the report is expedited, and as soon as possible, so that the project might have an impact on the broader regeneration of Bangor. <BR /> <BR />We have been working very closely to try to get the scheme progressed, but, as the Member will understand, another Minister has a separate set of powers in which I cannot intervene, so I have to wait on the outworking of her decision.”
“The Department for Infrastructure is considering the council's granting of the planning permission in the context of the objection that was lodged, and has the power to call in the planning application for a full review. It is, ultimately, the responsibility of the Infrastructure Minister to decide whether the application should be called in. My officials continue to engage with all stakeholders in an effort to progress the development of that transformational scheme.”
“That is an important project to both my Department and, indeed, the people of Bangor. It was actually one of the first projects that I visited when I came into the Department as Minister. The Department for Infrastructure's Rivers submitted an objection to Ards and North Down Borough Council on the developer's planning application. In assessing the planning application, the council considered that the concerns that were raised by DFI Rivers, which related to the reservoir flood area, were outweighed by the significant regeneration benefits to an area that has been long neglected and in need of positive intervention. <BR /> <BR />On that basis, the council set aside the DFI Rivers objection.”
“I have not heard that issue come up yet in the review. Obviously, the legislation pertains to those who have caravans here in the North. If anything comes up as part of the consultation response that refers to any issues that you may have, I am sure that it will be brought up and looked at. However, as you said, this piece of work is being taken forward by all three Departments. We will, collectively, look at the responses and decide how we move forward to address the Act in its entirety and shape it to ensure that it meets the needs of citizens now.”
“There is a variety of stakeholders, including those who have caravans, those who own caravan parks, those who offer services in and around the management of caravan parks, local councils, Members and elected representatives beyond the Assembly. The consultation is open to a wide range of people. There have been ongoing engagement sessions, as the Member who asked the previous question mentioned. Again, if anyone in the Chamber or outside it has concerns or thoughts and has not already responded to that consultation, I urge them to ensure that they do so before the deadline closes on 8 March.”
“That is part of the review. At the moment, I do not have the ability to extend that. That would have to be done by the Economy Minister, who has responsibility for holiday caravan owners. I hope that the review will start to take forward some of those concrete recommendations.”
“Definitely. We have seen some of the articles in the press about how some people who own caravans have been treated. I know that, through the stakeholder and engagement exercises, officials from all three Departments are engaging with people who have been impacted. It was not set in the original Act, which is why further amendments will have to be made to the legislation. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the consultation takes its course. I encourage anyone who has not yet responded to do so, to ensure that we get a completely full picture. As I said, the Economy Minister will have responsibility for how that Department takes forward aspects with regard to people who have caravans as holiday destinations. I hope that it can do that in the context of listening to those people who have been impacted over the last period.”
“As I said, the responsibility under the Act for me is with the residential sector, which is people whose caravan is their home. The responsibility for those you are talking about with holiday caravans is with the Economy Minister. I did not want just a review, because I completely understand the impact that is being felt by those who have a holiday caravan. We saw it when we were going through the pandemic. I agreed, in that context, to review the whole Act, but I need Economy and Infrastructure to work with me. They are working with me through the establishment of the working group. We are consulting at the moment, so, if you know anybody who has concerns, I encourage you to ask them to make sure that they respond to the consultation, which has its closing date on 8 March.”
“It will allow all interested stakeholders to engage, and the cross-departmental working group will then assess the findings from that.”
“Although my Department has responsibility for residential caravans and has a mandatory duty to review the provisions relating to that sector, the Act also contains provisions relating to holiday caravans, which is the policy responsibility of the Department for the Economy, with the licensing of holiday sites, as outlined in the Caravans Act 1963, being the responsibility of the Department for Infrastructure. That is why the decision was taken to look at the Act in its entirety. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by not only many MLAs but constituents. To that effect, in reviewing the Act, I have launched a consultation and engagement exercise with key stakeholders. That remains open until 8 March.”
“I updated the Assembly before the Christmas recess on the preparatory work for the review of the Caravans Act, and I am happy to update the Member on that in order to reiterate the origins of the Act and the Department's involvement in it. <BR /> <BR />The Caravans Act was introduced in the Assembly as a private Member's Bill. Initially, the Bill was to replicate the protections for residential occupiers on protected sites, as in other jurisdictions. Subsequently, protections were included for caravans in the holiday sector in the form of a seasonal agreement. <BR /> <BR />In taking forward the review, a cross-departmental working group was established with representatives from the Department for the Economy and the Department for Infrastructure, which are also responsible for elements of the Caravans Act.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to reiterate that I am glad about how the debate is going. I am glad about the amendments, and I hope that we will agree to amendment No 1. As long as I am Minister, I will commit to doing that review and looking at future needs and mitigations.”
“That was a commitment in 'New Decade, New Approach' (NDNA) for the restoration of the Executive, and I wanted to make sure that that was done. Amendment No 7 will commit to a review being done before the end of the mandate in 2025. <BR /> <BR />I agree with some comments that have been made that the review is about additional mitigations and protections. Other Members have reflected that we should not penalise families financially and put them in predicaments. We have seen the impacts of the bedroom tax in England. Families have been forced to leave their homes, communities, towns and cities to look for housing elsewhere. Given the conversation here tonight, I am hopeful that we can say to those who would be impacted — more than 36,000 people — that we will not make those decisions and will work as a House to protect them.”
“As was said, from the very start, I did not want an end date. That is clear, and I am thankful that, hopefully, at the end of this session, we will avoid those cliff edges. <BR /> <BR />I have always said that there has been a commitment from me and the Department to carry out a review. Kellie raised that when speaking to the amendments. I have been willing to do that since I first put the proposals to the Executive in January 2020; indeed, we are currently reviewing the mitigations. That is ongoing, and that will be presented to the Department before the end of the mandate. Les Allamby, former human rights commissioner, is chairing that review and working with those who come from the sectors that represent people on the ground.”
“Thanks to everybody who has taken the time to contribute, and to all those on the Committee who have supported me in trying to bring forward those mitigations as quickly as possible.”
“Thank you to the Chair, all members of the Communities Committee and, indeed, all Members who have spoken today. The heart of the Bill is about restoring the regulatory framework and providing a stable basis on which to make improvements going forward, particularly given the excellent work that all our charities do. I reiterate my thanks to all those involved at the scrutiny stage for their work to improve the Bill. I thank all the external organisations and charities that met the Committee and the Department to get it to this stage. I thank all the staff teams from my Department and from the OLC that have been involved with the Committee. I commend the Bill to the Chamber.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, I put on record my special thanks to the primary draftsperson for the Bill, David Sewell of the Office of the Legislative Counsel, who, sadly, passed away suddenly before Christmas. David played an important role in bringing the Bill before us. I extend my condolences to David's family. <BR /> <BR />I hope that all parties give the Bill their full support. I commend it to the Assembly.”
“I also acknowledge the contribution in the Bill's scrutiny stages of the many stakeholders, including those who provided evidence to the Committee in its deliberations. I acknowledge the Members who have been supportive of the Bill and its aims. As I said at Consideration Stage, we have a better Bill because of the comprehensive scrutiny process and the open and productive working relationships between the Committee and my officials. I take this opportunity to thank the officials, the Assembly staff and the legal teams who worked on the Bill and enabled it to move to this stage. As previously stated, legislation with retrospective effect is unusual and presents many unique challenges.”