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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“— in our society, but there is also the issue of partition —”
“However, if we are serious about looking back at the past and learning from that in terms of building forward for the young people whom we saw on the streets of Belfast and beyond over the past week, we need to be mature about it rather than saying that we are acting callously. We need to look at all the issues in the round in terms of how they reflect across the community. Of course, the centenary is held dearly by some people —”
“It is not just my responsibility as Communities Minister; we need to approach the issues sensibly. We need to look at all the events in their widest context, how one has an impact on another and how we then communicate that to the public. <BR /> <BR />We live in a contested society. We see issues emerging at our interfaces as things rupture. Anything that we do when looking at all the issues has to be planned and considered. As I said, my experience in Belfast City Council was that that worked well. All the political parties, most of which are represented in this Chamber, sat down in a coordinated and structured way to plan events. That has not happened. The NIO, of course, is running forward with events. Some of my arm's-length bodies, such as PRONI, are doing events.”
“There is nothing callous in my approach, and I say that to the Member right now. It is unfortunate that he is trying to use those remarks in terms of the question. <BR /> <BR />I was extensively involved in the decade of centenaries in Belfast City Council during my time as a councillor. We managed to agree a programme that looked at all the events in the context of one having an impact on another, whether it was the formation of the Northern state or the different perspectives on partition. They are sensitive issues. For some, it is a celebration, but, for others, it is an event that has negative connotations. We need to be responsible and sensitive in how we address all the issues. I would prefer us to do that by sitting down collectively as an Executive.”
“It will comprise a range of archival material covering the period, including sources relating to the establishment of the Northern Ireland state and the opening of the Northern Ireland Parliament. <BR /> <BR />Plans have been in place for some time across a number of our arm's-length bodies (ALBs) and other funded organisations to make the centenary. I have asked my officials to write to the Member separately to provide him with an update on their plans.”
“Thank you for your question. As outlined in previous statements by my Department, we have no plans in place to mark the centenary. However, a £3 million fund to mark the centenary has been set up by the British Government and includes £1 million of funding to be distributed through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the NIO in the lead. <BR /> <BR />That aside, PRONI, in line with its statutory remit, will facilitate access to archival records in its care that are relevant to the centenary by individuals, organisations and the media . PRONI will also launch an A-level educational resource titled ‘Ireland 1900-1925: Crisis, War and Revolution’ in May 2021.”
“That issue is being looked at. Obviously, because of the nature of social media and the opportunities for online gambling that are presented to people, it is a growing issue. Of course, we are proactively looking at ways to engage. We are discussing the health impact that it has at the other end. We want any legislation to look at prevention before it gets to the critical point where people need assistance with their addiction. We are in regular engagement on those options and will lay them out in the time ahead, taking into consideration the increasing issue of online gambling.”
“Yes, all those options are being looked at and their impact considered. I am looking at the health implications and the services around gambling addiction. When the consultation went out, there was a recognition that reform was definitely needed in those areas. <BR /> <BR />Of course, I wish the team well tonight. Hopefully, they will come home with a victory.”
“Yes, those issues were picked up on in the ongoing consultation and engagement, and part of that will come forward in changes in the time ahead.”
“An outcome report on the consultation was published on the departmental website in November 2020. There was overwhelming support for reform of the gambling legislation, and I am on record as saying that that reform is long overdue. Given the scale of reform that is needed, I am keen to bring forward proposals for some regulatory change in this mandate and have advised the Committee for Communities of my intention to do so in the schedule of legislation. As soon as I am in a position to do so, I will make an announcement on the way forward as quickly as possible.”
“I will work with all those around the Executive table and across the Chamber to achieve that. Now is the time for calm and to call for an end to violent protests. It is time for criminal gangs to go away, leave the communities alone and get off the young people's backs. <BR /> <BR />To the young people in our communities, I say this: I want to work with you and ensure that your voices are heard. I want to listen to you. I am here to engage with you to address the issues and the hopes for our communities. Let us stamp out the flames of hate and work to allow our young people and our communities to flourish.”
“We have similar housing. We suffer from poverty. We have the same health inequalities that see people in our communities die almost 10 years younger than the average because of poverty. Our communities are facing the pressure of development without their interests being considered. There are high levels of unemployment. These communities have borne the brunt of conflict and sectarianism and continue to bear the brunt of health and economic shocks. <BR /> <BR />I have been a youth worker, a community activist and an elected rep in my community and I am also a resident. We need cross-party support in the Chamber, from the Executive and the Assembly, to tackle poverty and inequality and to target resources on the basis of objective need for communities like Sandy Row, the Shankill Road, the Springfield Road and the Waterside and the Bogside.”
“We can see on a daily basis, even this morning, that there are orchestrated attempts to organise more protests at or near interface flashpoints. Those criminal gangs have nothing to offer the community. They should disband and climb off the backs of their community. Street protests need to be called off, as it is clear that they are leading to tensions and violence. I hope that the House unites around these issues. <BR /> <BR />I want to take the opportunity to commend the many community and youth leaders and activists who have been tirelessly on the ground and engaging with young people to try to pull them away from the violence. I live in a community with young people who are just like those were caught up in the violence at Sandy Row, which is in my constituency, and on the Shankill Road. They are working-class communities.”
“I have worked on interface issues for over 20 years in Belfast, and my experience tells me that those who organise at or near interface areas are not intent on peaceful protest. Their intent is organised, and it is a deliberate attempt to stoke up violence and sectarianism. That is what we saw last night. <BR /> <BR />We must stand together collectively and condemn that violence. We must stand together and condemn those criminal and sinister elements who are using young people to incite violence.”
“I support the motion and hope that the House stands united in its unequivocal condemnation of the violence that has ensued over the last week. That violence has seen petrol bombs being thrown, a public transport worker being forced from his bus and the bus burned, a photographer being attacked and injured and residents and communities living in fear. We also saw young people being used by sinister elements to attack the police, sinister elements placing petrol bombs in the hands of young people — the same sinister elements who place drugs in the hands of young people — and criminal elements using our children. <BR /> <BR />I am deeply concerned that protests are being organised at interface areas. Those protests are being widely circulated on social media.”
“I will continue to fight to protect the interests of young people and those who are most affected by the COVID pandemic and, indeed, by the current economic crisis. I am committed to working hard in order to ensure that resources are targeted at those who are most in need. I hope that, given the sentiments that Members expressed today, there will be support around the Executive table and across the Chamber for targeting resources at objective need as we move ahead.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am keenly aware that the last year has been difficult for many, particularly for our young people, who have lost their jobs or have not yet had the opportunity to gain employment. It is clear that the Budget position presents very significant challenges not just for my Department or for the Finance Minister but for the Executive as a whole. We are a collective five-party Executive. It is clear that we need to commit to the Job Start scheme, and, as I say, the Finance Minister has said in engagements that I have had with him that he is supportive of it. I hope that other colleagues in that five-party Executive support me on that in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />I assure Members that the Job Start scheme is a priority for me.”
“You will not find me wanting in that regard. <BR /> <BR />I agreed with the Minister for the Economy, who I met recently, that a collaborative approach from our respective Departments is essential to achieve a shared economic objective and, in particular, to respond to the challenges that are faced by young people in the labour market. Our officials have been working collaboratively to produce a coherent, joined-up approach that works for individuals and companies and that provides the support and assistance that young people need. I have moved quickly to provide help and assistance in order to ensure that people do not suffer financial hardship as a result of the pandemic, and my officials developed the Job Start scheme in order to help young people move into employment.”
“You can get up and make statements in the Chamber, but if Members are serious about targeting inequality and challenging the issues that are related to areas of deprivation, young people and women, we need to allocate our public spend to objective need. Are Members across the Chamber supportive of that? I would welcome further conversations on that. <BR /> <BR />As I said before, I would also welcome anybody who wants to come to meet me, because Members have raised the matter. It is easy to talk in the Chamber, but very few come and ask me for a meeting to sit down to talk about these issues. It is easy to get up in the Chamber, spout things and play politics — that is fair enough; it is a political Chamber — but if Members are serious, my door is always open for them to come, engage and sit down to work through these issues.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the conversation and the motion to place a focus on young people, as I agree that the pandemic has hit that group more adversely than others. It was the same during the financial crash over 10 years ago. Any shock to society here impacts on poor people, women and young people the most. These schemes are, of course, important, but the Chamber needs to introduce other initiatives in order to challenge the precarious working practices that are out there. Those people are the first to end up losing their jobs or becoming unemployed. We need to look at banning zero-hours contracts, make sure that we are encouraging collective bargaining and have a proactive trade union movement that looks at the terms and conditions of all those in our economy. <BR /> <BR />I agree that we need to have a good conversation.”
“I believe that the scheme here is better. First, our scheme is open to all young people, not just those on universal credit. Secondly, it is open to all employers, including small and medium-sized employers. It also includes the voluntary and community sector, which is an important sector here. Thirdly, employers can apply directly to our scheme and not just via the gateway programme. Therefore, they do not need batches of 30 people to apply. As was said previously, England has now moved with regard to the changes that we made. That says a lot. Fourthly, the extended scheme is for people with disabilities, again, for up to nine months, to recognise their challenges and to support them to access the scheme as well.”
“I recognise that, as we move to this stage of the pandemic, labour market interventions that my Department has developed will be essential to help young people to return to the labour market, and those interventions, including the Job Start scheme, are aimed at helping people who have lost a job to find new employment. <BR /> <BR />As has already been stated, I have had a series of engagements with the Finance Minister. I know that he is fully supportive of the Job Start scheme; indeed, to that effect, it is in the incoming Budget. I hope that all other parties around the Executive table will support it when it is presented to them. <BR /> <BR />As regards other concerns, people have questioned why we did not run with the scheme that was taking place in England. Indeed, as has already been said, there was a number of differences.”
“Further provision is planned to be developed collaboratively with local councils through the labour market partnerships, including schemes similar to the Restart scheme, and to help those who lost their jobs 12 months ago at the onset of COVID and who are at risk of falling into the category of the long-term unemployed. <BR /> <BR />My Department also bid for £38·9 million for labour market interventions for the 2021-22 financial year. That bid included £20 million for Job Start and £12 million for Restart. Unfortunately, the draft Budget provided no funding allocation for the new menu of provision, including Job Start. As a consequence, the launch of those schemes was paused in December 2020, depending on the outcome of the Executive's final Budget allocation for the incoming financial year.”
“<BR /> <BR />A refreshed work experience programme will provide a financial incentive as an additional motivator for participants and employers to take part in the programme. In addition, a new opportunity guarantee strand for young people will offer placements with the guarantee of an interview for a job or apprenticeship. Costs are in the region of £0·71 million and will provide support for up to 770 people. There is a new provision to help up to 77,000 work-ready people by providing training on core employability skills, such as motivation and confidence, interview skills, CV development, job search techniques and basic digital skills. Work-ready employability services will cost about £4·1 million next year.”
“Also included in the first wave of the new provision was expanded flexible support funding through the adviser discretion fund (ADF) to provide up to £1,500 per person with the eligibility criteria to apply, in a 12-month period, to address barriers that face young people when trying to gain employment. That included an expansion of the proposal to pay upfront childcare costs to allow parents to get over the initial cost of registered childcare when moving into employment. It is anticipated that the upfront childcare grants will be operational from the end of October 2021. It is estimated that the expanded ADF will result in over 10,000 awards being made to help people to move closer into employment during the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.”
“<BR /> <BR />The outline business case for the Job Start scheme was approved by the Department of Finance and allows for 3,313 young people to avail themselves of the scheme at a cost of £24·854 million until 31 March 2023.”
“<BR /> <BR />The first wave of the new provision included the Job Start scheme, which was to provide funding for employers to create job opportunities for young people aged 16 to 24 years of age who are at risk from long-term unemployment. The Job Start scheme has been developed and was due to launch on Monday 30 November 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 circuit breaker that was introduced by the Executive on 27 November. Some Members commented on that, but, if people could reflect on where we were last November, the arguments were about closing up or staying open, and the run-up to Christmas. It was a fractious time that created uncertainty for many, and there was real concern about the spiralling number of people being infected and, in particular, the increase in hospital admissions.”
“Thanks to everybody for their contributions to the debate. I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that young people have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic — I have said that on many occasions — and, indeed, by the current economic crisis and what will unfold over the next couple of months. The current youth unemployment rate in the North is 12·1%, which equates to 12,000 young people. <BR /> <BR />My Department's initial labour market response to COVID-19 was to introduce schemes to support the biggest volumes of people affected. Two groups were identified as needing an urgent response: young people and the work-ready — that is, those who are ready to be re-employed but who need help to negotiate the process of finding work.”
“I thank everybody across the Chamber. I also thank the Chair and the Committee for Communities for their prompt consideration. The safeguards and the amounts of compensation payable are to make sure that they are not devalued by inflation. I commend the motion to the House.”
“Higher amounts are paid to people on higher levels of disability whose condition is diagnosed at an earlier stage. Lower amounts are payable to dependants who can make a claim after the sufferer has died. <BR /> <BR />The maximum amount that can be claimed under the 1979 scheme is increased this year to £94,296 for a person aged 37 or under at diagnosis. This helps to ensure that the compensation provided under the order maintains its value. I am sure that Members will agree that no amount of money can ever compensate a person who has been affected by this terrible disease. However I am also sure that Members will want people who are making a claim on or after April 2021 to receive the higher amounts and that Members will therefore support these regulations.”
“By that stage, the employer may have ceased to be in business. To be eligible for payment under the scheme, there has to have been no current or previous claim for damages in respect of the disease for which the person is claiming. There must be no relevant employer who can be pursued through the courts. The person must have been awarded industrial injuries disablement benefit. <BR /> <BR />The lump sum compensation is paid in addition to the weekly disablement benefit and is for the same disease. Dependants of the sufferer can make a claim if the person has passed away before they were able to make the claim themselves. Payments of the lump sum are based on the age of the person with the disease and their level of disablement at the time of the diagnosis.”
“The purpose of the 1979 scheme is to pay compensation to people who suffer from certain dust-related diseases or their dependants. The five respiratory diseases that it covers are mainly related directly to asbestos exposure and include mesothelioma, diffuse pleural thickening, primary carcinoma of the lung, byssinosis and pneumoconiosis, which includes asbestosis. <BR /> <BR />The lump sum payment scheme is intended to compensate people who are or during the course of their work have been exposed to asbestos or other listed agents but who have been unable to seek compensation from their employer even though the disease was contracted as a result of working for that employer. Due to the long latency period of these conditions, symptoms tend not to appear until many years after exposure.”
“These regulations will increase the value of lump sum payments that are made under the Pneumoconiosis, etc., (Workers' Compensation) Order 1979, known as the 1979 scheme. The uprating of the scheme stands apart from the main social security benefits uprating procedure, and there is no statutory requirement to increase the rates. However, as in previous years, it has been agreed to increase the amounts payable from 1 April in line with inflation. The payments will be increased by 0·5% in line with September 2020's consumer price index. This is consistent with the uprating of the industrial injuries disablement benefit, to which the 1979 scheme is linked. <BR /> <BR />These regulations will ensure that lump sum payments here are at the same increased level as those in the corresponding schemes operating in Britain.”
“Another area is travelling to school safely. I encourage the Minister to work with Infrastructure to look at traffic calming and reduced speed limits. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister, and I look forward to engaging with him on those issues.”
“The extended school programme should see transformational change in alleviating poverty and closing the education gap, but we need to look at the financial pressure that parents face.”
“They can work to alleviate poverty and offer parental support. In a constituency that is, as I said, as diverse in population, society and economy as South Belfast, the provision of extended schools becomes crucial. The extended school programme has key outcomes such as closing the attainment gap, alleviating poverty and addressing the key themes of being healthy and living in safety and with stability. Much of the provision has focused on being healthy, which is important, but we must also have a clear focus on alleviating poverty. That was further demonstrated through holiday hunger, with parents raising concerns about access to resources for clothing, food and childcare. Many parents would say that economic well-being is a key theme that they would like to see addressed through those programmes and support in the time ahead.”
“We know how many children come through the system each year, and we need plans in place to respond to that. We must respond especially to the growing demand for special educational needs, which has been touched on. There are also demands for integrated and Irish-medium education. In Irish medium, the demand is huge. Coláiste Feirste is the only Irish-medium secondary school in the city and further afield. It is bursting at the seams. We need to look at that in the longer term. I ask the Minister to give assurances on detailed planning. Is that planning in place to ensure that there will be sufficient places in September? <BR /> <BR />Securing, protecting and enhancing the extended school provision is also vital. Such schools are extensions of the community, and they can act as a community hub beyond the school day.”
“As we plan a social recovery from the pandemic, the Education Department must address and plan for the mental health and well-being of young people and for schools more widely. It should put in place plans to address that and should not just have an academic focus. The interim mental health champion spoke of that recently when, at the Education Committee, she talked about an oncoming tsunami of mental health issues as a result of the pandemic and the restrictions. <BR /> <BR />We now know that the demand for places and provision in South Belfast has been growing, as has been said. That demand is not being met. Schools urgently need more places and increased resources. The area planning process is slow, and we need the Minister to address that and to ensure that they are prepared.”
“There must be no delay when addressing the issue of post-primary transfer, because children in P6 and their parents need to know what is happening in relation to the unregulated tests now. We know that private companies are opening for registration in May and June, so the issue needs to be looked at quickly. How can the Minister stand over putting children through those tests in the autumn when they have missed so much school, not just this year but last year?”
“At the start of last year, no one could have anticipated the sheer disruption that our young people would have to endure and continue to endure as a result of the pandemic. Sinn Féin offices, like many constituency offices, have been inundated with letters and emails from concerned parents in relation to the disruption and the consequences that it will have not only for their children's education but for their mental health and well-being. <BR /> <BR />Children have faced unprecedented disruption, which was added to by the handling of the exams issue. The Education Department must ensure that that does not happen again. Young people, parents and schools need advance planning, engagement and notice about the approach to tests, including the transfer test, and on wider issues.”
“I thank Paula for tabling this important topic. I am glad that we have finally got to discuss it. I am proud to say that I attended post-primary education in South Belfast in St Monica's Secondary School, which then became St Joseph's College, on the Ravenhill Road, along with my six siblings. I take the opportunity to commend and acknowledge the leadership and commitment of all our school leaders and teaching and non-teaching staff across South Belfast and beyond and thank them for their tireless work, particularly over the past year. <BR /> <BR />These are, without doubt, the most difficult of times for our schools, our young people and the education system, with disruption to education that most of us have never seen in our lifetime.”
“We cannot run the way democracies in other countries do, because we have one, and often two, arms tied behind our back. Westminster is making these decisions, and the parties in power in Westminster are not representative of or, indeed, elected by the people here in the North. If you are serious about addressing those issues fundamentally, you have to look at partition and how our Budgets are impacted. Brexit has shown that. All the parties that are based in Westminster, even the parties opposite, will have seen the impact of that and how the Tories have behaved during Brexit, yet, for some reason, you do not want to deal with the underlying issues.”
“All the parties, particularly those in the Executive, will know that because all the parties around that Executive table and all their ministerial portfolios have been impacted by the block grant that we have been given by Westminster. That is the reality. We also do not do multi-year funding, and that is another critical area that we need to change. Again, the need to make those changes rests with Westminster. <BR /> <BR />Some Members talked about addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, and I agree with that wholeheartedly. However, for me, you cannot do that without talking about the impact of partition, the impact of how our Budgets are set and the impact of the fact that we do not have our own financial levers and full fiscal powers.”
“The mitigation impact on women is an important area, and closing the benefit-cap-mitigation loophole and reviewing the feasibility of the two-child policy are two critical areas that will impact on women in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Some Members talked about the Finance Minister and the Budgets. I hope that, when they look at their own Ministers and their own Departments, they will see that they face cuts and impacts as well. Will they be saying that that is down the Minister? The reality is that we get a block grant from Westminster. That block grant was a flat Budget, which means a cut. The cut was not made by the Finance Minister.”
“Of course, I stressed that they should change the rules around that as well.”
“We will be ready, and, as soon as the Budget is agreed, I am hopeful that we can start on the scheme right away. <BR /> <BR />The Executive support and have given approval for changing the rules on terminal illness. The delay is just as a result of having to bottom out the figures with the Department for Work and Pensions. That work is ongoing. As soon as we get approval, I will move to make the proposal to change the rules on terminal illness. I also addressed the issue with Justin Tomlinson when I met him last week. I said to him that we will push on even if their review is not completed.”
“That was unaccounted for, but I am confident that that funding will be secured in the time ahead, enabling us to start the recruitment of the staff whom we need in the Department to step up service delivery for social security. <BR /> <BR />The advice sector was mentioned. There will be no cut to advice sector funding. I have said that publicly numerous times in the Chamber and on social media. I have also communicated that point more widely. <BR /> <BR />The Job Start scheme was not included in the initial calculations for the Budget, but it is a priority for me. I am confident that, in looking at the social and economic recovery from the pandemic, it will be a priority area for the Executive, and there should be an announcement on it soon. We will be ready pretty quickly, because a lot of the work on Job Start has been done.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Executive's draft Budget was out for consultation until the end of February, as was my Department's equality impact assessment (EQIA). I put out a full EQIA. It was important that I did that, to ensure that, going forward, decisions that I make reflect the groups that could be impacted on by the Budget. I make no apologies for doing that. All responses to that will be taken into account when I finalise my budget. <BR /> <BR />I will try to respond quickly to some of the issues that have been raised. I covered the issue of staffing numbers. There is a concern there. The number of people who are on universal credit has more than doubled.”
“<BR /> <BR />I agree with the Members who said that the amendment about advice service funding was unnecessary. It is also inaccurate. There is no funding cut, and there will be no funding cut to the advice services, as I have stated in the Chamber on numerous occasions. I stated it last week. I told Members, including the Member who tabled the amendment, that they can come and speak to me at any time, yet I have had never had such a request. Members have never asked to meet me on the issue. I have stated previously that I consider the provision of advice support services as being crucial to helping those who are most impacted on. They are vital. I will ensure that those critical services continue next year as an essential element of my Department's budget.”
“I trust, however, that Members will understand that responding to the pandemic has been exceptionally challenging and has impacted on the ability to move on some issues as quickly as I would have liked. I can confirm that proposals for a planned mitigations review are being finalised, and I will make an announcement on that soon. I can also provide an assurance that my Department will adopt a co-production, co-design approach to the welfare mitigation measures; in practice, that means that stakeholders will be central to the completion of that review. I firmly believe, however, that my Department's priority at the moment is to secure approval for the legislation that is required to extend the mitigation schemes and to close the existing loopholes.”