Deborah Erskine
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, you did not mention the removal of the zero-detriment policy, which is a concern that I have. That is worrying for anybody who sits in the Chamber, and for the construction industry in particular.”
“I thank the Minister for his comments about the Western Trust's chair. I, too, pass on my sympathies to his family. <BR /> <BR />Minister, we had the pause to the emergency general surgery consultation process last July. You asked the trust to provide a vision plan.”
“Quality assurance is really important when looking at roads. A number of us in the Chamber could take you to potholes that we have raised with the Department that have been fixed but have then reopened within a matter of days, meaning that we have had to go back into the portal to raise it with DFI staff again.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and hope that she enjoyed her visit to Enniskillen. The statement mentions moorings. I want to focus on the Fermanagh end of the Ulster canal. I have received communication about accessible jetties and ensuring that jetties and moorings are up to standard.”
“<BR /> <BR />That was laid bare last Wednesday when representatives from the ICRIR said that they had written to the Irish Government 11 or 12 times without receiving any form of reply from them. That is shameful.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is interesting that, for years, Sinn Féin has called on the UK Government to provide information, yet its silence on the Irish Government is deafening. There are people who sit in the Chamber who know exactly the truth about what happened, yet they are prepared to lie about their involvement in the IRA.”
The complete record
Every one of 955 lines we hold for Deborah Erskine, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 20.
“I am sorry. I know that time is against us, so I thank the Minister for giving way and for his commitment to go back to look at the barriers to that group's meeting, because that is essential. Although his officials attended the umbrella group meeting that he did not, I am sure that he was apprised of some of the planning issues that were brought up at that meeting. Hopefully, all those issues can be taken forward when reviewing the barriers to the task force's meeting.”
“I thank the Member for giving way and for sympathising with the likes of me, who has to put on Wi-Fi calling just to get a signal. We are obviously aware that some masts have had 3G switched off, but we are not seeing the infrastructure coming in behind it, as happens elsewhere in the UK, to be able to continue the roll-out of better 4G and 5G networks. That is a real problem. The motion points to rural areas, but we see that impact in some urban areas as well.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He will understand that £150 million was secured for Project Stratum. What would have happened had that £150 million not been secured for rural areas?”
“5G is being developed for rail, and it would be good to look into that when we are looking at building more and better rail links. We will need to include that in our delivery plans or else we will have rail systems in Northern Ireland that will need to be updated before tracks are even laid. <BR /> <BR />I trust that you can see the need to act. While it takes, as I said, criticism about the lack of engagement on the planning-related issues regarding mobile infrastructure out of our motion, we will support the amendment, as it is imperative that we all work together on the matter.”
“How can we say that a key barrier to getting better provision is being tackled if it has met only twice since then? <BR /> <BR />The amendment points to the work of the Department for the Economy in leading the barrier busting task force, but when I asked for a timeline for the completion of the mobile action plan through the task force, there were no specific dates. I was told that it would be discussed at the next meeting. <BR /> <BR />I do not want to see Northern Ireland being left behind. We need mobile infrastructure for the reasons previously outlined. When it comes to health, our ambulance drivers need it for life-saving technology and equipment. We are also starting to look at the implementation of the all-island strategic rail review.”
“<BR /> <BR />My party is committed to ensuring the transformative aspects of better mobile connectivity across Northern Ireland. It was a commitment in our manifesto. Certainly, I would like to see better mobile connectivity in my household and, particularly, in my rural constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It is imperative that we tackle the digital divide between urban and rural parts of Northern Ireland. As I said, we simply cannot hide behind or point towards the Northern Ireland barrier busting task force oversight group. Yes, the mobile action plan was published in June 2022, and the task force first met in December of the same year. However, since then, the planning subgroup, which was tasked to deal with and deliver specific barrier-busting themes, has met only twice.”
“Yes, permitted development rights were updated in 2020, but the changes were superseded by those in Scotland and England. Their changes to permitted development rights took into account the need to speed up roll-out and technological changes. <BR /> <BR />If we overcame the challenges in roll-out, it would be a game changer for the Northern Ireland economy, which is now a leader in the likes of broadband roll-out. We could do that again. The Future Communications Challenge Group (FCCG) estimated the economic impact of 5G roll-out. It expects that, by 2023, it could be worth £164 billion to the UK economy and that the sectors most likely to benefit would be manufacturing, construction and agriculture. We are lagging behind on that investment in our economy.”
“We cannot continue to point only at the mobile action plan (MAP) and the barrier busting task force (BBTF) when there is a blatant need to review the likes of permitted development rights and planning issues. Such a review would unlock connectivity and improve the Shared Rural Network. <BR /> <BR />While my party will support the amendment, I find it interesting that Sinn Féin has removed criticism of its Minister. However, I welcome the inclusion of the Economy Minister, given that it is a cross-departmental matter. It seems that there is a lack of leadership in building mobile infrastructure: planning sits with the Department for Infrastructure; telecoms policy sits with the Department for the Economy. Therefore, there seems to be no clear lead to resolve the issues that are affecting further roll-out.”
“Often, planning decisions for mobile infrastructure in what are known as "hard-to-reach areas", which is a term that I hate — rather, I detest it — can take up to two years to complete. We need to change that narrative. <BR /> <BR />There appears to be a lack of awareness and weighting in the planning system of the social and economic benefits of mobile connectivity to society, leading inevitably to objections in the planning system. Mobile UK has been trying to put that case to the Minister, I believe. So far, however, it has been unable to do so. Despite Mobile UK's being a member of the task force, it appears that its concerns have largely been ignored so far.”
“That means that seven areas in Northern Ireland have been held back from getting the infrastructure that they need and deserve and the connectivity that they need to be able to meet the demands of the 21st century. <BR /> <BR />Mobile UK is an association for the UK mobile network operators EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Its aim is to identify barriers to progress and work with all relevant parties to bring about change. One of the main issues that it has identified is the planning system. It recognised that there is a workforce crisis in the system, whether that is in the planning departments or related to statutory consultees. It also found that uncertainty around planning policy and delays in decision-making are causing private investors to go elsewhere.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The development of mobile infrastructure is key to ensuring that our communities are more connected and that technology can play a role in boosting our business and civic life. Unfortunately, I am aware that planning applications are stuck in the system, which means that the roll-out of the Shared Rural Network is stunted. I am aware that, to July 2024, in council areas across Northern Ireland, seven mobile infrastructure planning applications have actually been pulled out of the system by investors because of how convoluted the process was, the delays and the time that it was taking to get through the system.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last week, Community Pharmacy NI went to Westminster to take its case to the Chancellor. We think of our community pharmacies and the great work that they do in communities. The Health Minister has said that he wants to deal with inequalities in our communities in Northern Ireland. I trust that we will all get behind our local community pharmacies and ask the Health Minister to act now before it is lights out for them.”
“The past few years, however, have been extremely challenging. Pharmacies are experiencing severe financial problems due to real-term government cuts to NHS pharmacy funding and rising costs. Right now, there is a funding gap of approximately £20 million for Community Pharmacy NI. New analysis by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found that the number of pharmacies closing this year is nearly 50% higher compared with those closing at the same stage in 2023. Between January and April, 177 pharmacies closed, 17 of which were in Northern Ireland. The majority of independent community pharmacies, such as mine, are small to medium-sized family businesses and are therefore especially vulnerable to the financial challenges. With the shrinking network, closures disproportionately affect the most deprived communities.”
“Last Thursday, I went along to the pharmacy across the road from my office, Hughes Pharmacy, which is on Belmore Street in Enniskillen. It was staging a day of action for the Save our Pharmacies campaign. The staff were working with the lights out, and many of the people who came in wondered whether there had been a power cut. It was, however, being done to paint a picture of how it could be lights out for many community pharmacies the length and breadth of Northern Ireland if funding streams are not resolved soon. <BR /> <BR />Local pharmacies are a valuable part of the NHS, playing a significant role in keeping the pressure off GPs and hospitals by providing a range of healthcare services such as urgent care, vaccinations, support with long-term conditions and treatment of common illnesses.”
“I know that staff monitor the levels in the water, but I want to ensure that we do not come back to the Chamber with a post-mortem on our beautiful Lough Erne. I want to ensure that we send a strong message today that we want to tackle the problem together and definitely do not pit sections of our community against one another. It is a vital message to send from the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />I welcome and thank Members for coming to the debate. I am sure that they will outline and discuss some of the other issues relating to it.”
“The newspaper report said that DAERA had admitted:”
“Surely the cross-departmental nature of the issue is also what the Lough Neagh report is all about. <BR /> <BR />I am not sure whether the Justice Minister will be able to answer this today, but I want to find out about the progress being made on the statement of regulatory principles and intent (SORPI) arrangements and the plans to tackle the pollution incidents in Lough Erne in the frame of the Lough Neagh report, implementing it not just for Lough Neagh but across waterways in Northern Ireland. In the summer, a worrying headline in my local newspaper read:”
“Algal blooms can lead to what are known as dead zones in the water, which would be devastating to our recreational fishing fraternity. During my time as a councillor, I spoke to Erne Anglers, which shared a presentation with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in 2019 about pollution incidents and the amount of rubbish that was dumped into Lough Erne. The situation has deteriorated much more in the space of five years. Inaction is simply not an option. <BR /> <BR />In July, in the Chamber, I asked the Minister whether his Department would help. Given that this is a cross-departmental issue, it is important that we all work together to see how we can fund and manage the scale of the problem. The answer was slightly disappointing. We need to tackle the issue head-on together.”
“Storm overflows, which we know are supposed to act as emergency relief valves during heavy rainfall, are now frequently discharging into Lough Erne. In actual fact, we are not aware of the rates in full because event duration monitors are not fully funded for the entirety of our shores and banks. In the Chamber, I often repeat the fact that Northern Ireland has more overflows per head of population per kilometre of pipe than any other region in the UK. I can take Members to housing developments and businesses where, unfortunately, overflows into our waterways are a common occurrence. We must all do better to tackle the issue. We cannot allow any sector to hide behind another while knowingly acting wrongly by polluting our waterways. <BR /> <BR />The concern is that environmental damage could be long-lasting.”
“I welcome the fact that the AERA Minister saw that and agreed to come to Fermanagh with me just last week to see and hear about the scale of the issues. Whilst our rural area has many farms lining the banks of Lough Erne, I send a very strong message today that farmers are not always to blame for those incidents. Yes, there are those who could do much better, but we cannot tar an entire sector with the same brush. We must be careful not to pit one section against another. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Audit Office published a report on the deteriorating water quality in Lough Neagh, which is largely due to failed and outdated waste water infrastructure that is trying to cope with increasing demands.”
“Fermanagh has a proud, rich heritage of fishing, with hotels and B&Bs filled with tourists from the rest of the UK and Germany, in the past and beyond, who have come to fish in our loughs. The old Fermanagh District Council's slogan on the signage was, "Fermanagh welcomes you, ... naturally!". However, that has been slightly tarnished with increased pollution incidents, and I am keen that our area does not become another Lough Neagh, which might happen without intervention soon. <BR /> <BR />For example, take the Kesh river. There were 10 pollution incidents on that river from 2021 to 2023. There was a very disturbing major fish kill in September 2021, which killed thousands of brown trout. Over the summer, our local newspapers have carried extensive coverage of pollution incidents.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Justice Minister for coming to talk about this important issue, which is affecting my constituency. <BR /> <BR />Pollution incidents in our waterways have been brought into sharp focus in recent years due to the sighting of blue-green algae in the likes of Lough Neagh. During recent summers, that has extended beyond Lough Neagh, with incidents being reported in Lough Erne as well. I do not need to remind anybody in the Chamber that Fermanagh is one of the most beautiful parts of Northern Ireland and the UK. It has stunning natural beauty, and tourism is a key economic driver in our area. I am sure that the Justice Minister, who is in the Chamber, will, if she has visited the area, attest to the fact that it is a hidden gem in Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Members, for a good debate today.”
“It has pioneered the use of biofuels in its furnaces, which reduces the carbon footprint of production by 90%. Its example points to what my colleague Gary Middleton said about the public sector. It has a crucial role to play, which is sometimes overlooked, with regard to green growth potential in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Quickly and briefly, I want to move on to some Members' comments. I thank John Stewart for talking with his infrastructure lens. He talked about the same thing around investors pulling out of Northern Ireland because of the elongated planning system. Quite a few Members referenced the LDPs and our frustration with that. I know it is talked about a lot in the Infrastructure Committee. I am running out of time.”
“<BR /> <BR />The bottom line — the Minister talked about it — is how applications are put into the system and the importance of them being tidied up before they go through. However, we have heard in the Committee from global companies and groups that have put in carbon-copy submissions for the likes of wind turbine applications and have been told that they are not up to standard. They are being processed elsewhere within a couple of weeks, but, in Northern Ireland, they can take up to 60 weeks to get through the system. I was informed of one that has been in the system since 2019. We have to grapple with that. <BR /> <BR />Despite the challenges, we cannot be despondent. There are great examples of businesses in the private sector doing their bit to create a greener economy, such as Encirc in my constituency.”
“That was partly due to the lack of support, they felt, for the industry, and a major drawback was planning, both in policy and processes. I have heard the Minister in the Chamber saying that we do not want to send the message out that Northern Ireland is not a place where you can invest and do business. I fully agree with those comments, but we have to be realistic and realise that, unfortunately, there is a word-of-mouth nature around some of this, and, unfortunately, we are not getting a good name for ourselves on planning. If we do not send out a commitment from the Chamber that we are serious about sorting out the issues, particularly in relation to planning and planning reform, the downward spiral of investors can see that and see that we are not serious. It is important that we grasp that.”
“In a six-year time frame, we have to increase that by 35%, which is a huge challenge, particularly when we look at some of the issues connected to planning. Currently, the Planning Appeals Commission is not fully equipped to deal with the raft of planning applications in its system, and there appears to be a difficulty in council areas, in particular when we look at wind applications. The Planning Appeals Commission has not met its own performance measures for several years, but I welcome what the Minister has said today about planning appeals. <BR /> <BR />The stark reality is painted in the 'Accelerating Renewables' report by KPMG, which surveyed developers. Eighty-two per cent said that Northern Ireland was currently not an attractive place to invest.”
“I speak in my capacity as DUP infrastructure spokesperson. I welcome the motion, which brings into sharp focus the need for planning reform, particularly in the context of green energy, and our amendment strengthens that aim. <BR /> <BR />We have ambitious targets contained in the Climate Change Act 2022, representing a target of 80% renewables by 2030. We sit at 45% renewables, as has been outlined in the Chamber today. Without intervention in our planning system, that target is far out of reach. Mr McMurray must have been reading my notes before coming into the Chamber today, because he is right in saying that, between 2016 and now, our electricity from renewable sources went up by just 5%.”
“I thank the Finance Minister for her answers so far. The Minister will remember that one of her first actions after taking office was to agree extra funding for the Enniskillen A4 southern bypass. A further £12·5 million was to come from the growth deal. That infrastructure project has been talked about in my constituency for four decades. Drive through Enniskillen any time, and you will see that the project is needed. Does the Minister, working with the Infrastructure Minister, remain committed to progressing the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass in light of the Government's pause on city and growth deals?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. We know that the system needs to be significantly upgraded and that we have more pollution incidents per kilometre of pipework in Northern Ireland. As the Minister said, the prioritisation of clean drinking water is important. Capacity in our system is also an issue. Will the Minister tell us, in light of the Programme for Government, what detailed discussions have been taking place about the investment strategy on our waste water treatment and the timelines for that to come to fruition?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House to make a statement. I am conscious that she will be coming again to answer questions, and, no doubt, I will have more. <BR /> <BR />The Mid South West growth deal is for my area. How does that decision fit in with our policy of stripping out regional imbalance? We now have a situation in which some council areas have growth deals in place, while others are paused. How does that fit, and is it being taken to the Treasury and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland?”
“Through the Government's shambolic handling of the news at the weekend, we now have ever-widening gaps in equality and regional balance. Each part of Northern Ireland was promised investment, and each part of Northern Ireland deserves it. I will be making that point to the Secretary of State, and I will not be idle in fighting to ensure that the Mid South West growth deal goes ahead.”
“<BR /> <BR />Not only was that to be delivered, but tourism projects, such as £10·5 million for Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark; a local company that was to lead on a green hydrogen distribution network, a game-changer for energy representing £24·7 million; a construction innovation excellence centre of £7 million; support to the agri-food industry with investment in the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE); and a £36 million project on industrial lands that would have been a real support to the manufacturing hub of mid-Ulster due to a chronic shortage of land for expansion — all left with a question mark hanging over them. <BR /> <BR />The Mid South West growth deal was not just some fine words on a page; it was to be a regional economic catalyst.”
“The A4 Enniskillen southern bypass, talked about for 47 years, could be in jeopardy. That much-needed infrastructure project had just been announced to go to the second stage of the procurement process on 5 September. Other government infrastructure documents had the A4 bypass referenced in their plans. In an area that has been ruled out of other infrastructure plans, that is a real blow.”
“Like many in the Chamber on Friday, I was incandescent with anger at the Government's decision to pause city and growth deals in Northern Ireland, which were secured by the DUP in the confidence-and-supply agreement. The Government have acted in bad faith and have poured cold water on projects that provide a fire in the belly of our local economy. <BR /> <BR />My council area falls under the Mid South West growth deal, which represents the largest investment outside Belfast, of £252 million across Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Mid Ulster District Council. It is wrong to say that the growth deal was not at an advanced stage. I understand that those councils were due to sign the heads of terms on 16 October. <BR /> <BR />What now for my area?”
“Those nurses are on-site in a more immediate way in our practices, so I would like to understand from the Minister whether that is part of a wider reshaping of district nursing teams across the trust areas or, indeed, whether it is unique to the Southern Trust area. <BR /> <BR />The problems will not be addressed overnight: I get that. The importance, however, of delivering real change cannot be overstated. I therefore impress on the Minister the need to address the specific concerns in the rural area of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. That should include innovative ways to address the difficulties with GP services in our constituency.”
“As I mentioned, we need to see MDT development in the south-west federation area. When services transform and are reshaped in our area, access to services at the first port of call — our primary care settings — will be truly transformative. <BR /> <BR />That brings me on to a developing situation, which is not in Fermanagh but in south Tyrone. I refer to the Moy GP practice. MLAs in the Chamber will have received correspondence on the issue last week. We were informed that the district nursing team would be relocated to the South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon without any planned warning having been given to the practice. GP practices such as the Moy practice rely on the district nursing team to support the most vulnerable members of the community.”
“Has that made a difference to GPs coming to Fermanagh and South Tyrone and entering practice in areas? <BR /> <BR />I come to another question, Minister. It concerns a common complaint that MLAs receive, and it is not unique to Fermanagh and South Tyrone. In 2022, the then Health Minister announced that £1·7 million was to be invested in telephone services. I have asked several times where that money has gone and for a breakdown of the surgeries that received money for those services, but, as yet, I have not had an answer. Perhaps we need more accountability around where money is directed in the system. I ask about that because practices have closed in Fermanagh and South Tyrone or have been amalgamated, and that places a burden on practices, with increased calls to the surgery. We need infrastructure in place to cope with the demand.”
“My hope is that we can develop multidisciplinary teams and aid service provision in one of the most service-starved parts of our constituency. <BR /> <BR />MLAs in our area face a situation in which we have a GP workforce that is retiring, with little sign of anyone coming forward to take on the mantle in GP practices. I pay tribute to practices in our area and thank them for the work that they do alongside the excellent community pharmacy provision. My practice at Brookeborough and Tempo Primary Care Services was one of 13 practices that had to hand back its contract in 2022-23. The Western Trust stepped in to provide a service for 8,000 patients who were on the books, but the trust's stepping in is an unsustainable situation. In the spring, we heard that the Minister had come to an agreement with GPs on new contractual arrangements.”
“That is an alarming statistic that underscores the urgent need for action. We cannot afford to overlook the challenges facing the primary care workforce. <BR /> <BR />Consider that in the context of Lisnaskea health centre, which my colleague referenced. Recently, as the Minister will be aware, posters were put up outside it. What was achieved by doing that? Frankly, all that it did was demoralise and hurt the staff who work there. They are trying to do their best in difficult circumstances and, as was referenced, in a building that is crumbling around them. I also ask the Minister to give us an update on the medical centre, because it will be a welcome addition to our constituency and to health provision in my area.”
“In the past, I have asked Health Ministers whether they were minded to implement measures that might incentivise GPs to live and work in rural areas. It has been done elsewhere. The Member for South Down was on the Health Committee when we discussed initiatives like that. It could be a measure to address some of the issues in rural areas across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />In the summer, we heard that there were difficulties in accessing locums to keep services going. There is no disputing that, as local representatives, we hear week in and week out of the challenges that people have in accessing GP surgery appointments. Recent findings from the NI Audit Office reveal concerning trends. Almost one in three local GP practices has sought crisis support in the past four years.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Áine Murphy, my constituency colleague, for securing the Adjournment debate, which is vital for our rural area. <BR /> <BR />Pressures in our GP services are nothing new. For at least a decade, we have been warned of the consequences of underfunding in primary care. In the west, we have unique challenges in attracting the GP workforce. Our constituency is one of the most beautiful in the UK. We are proud of our area, yet it is a rural area and there are challenges to overcome. We need to do more to promote our constituency as a place to live and work. We also need to support the GP workforce that has remained in the area. Recruitment and retention are two sides of the same coin.”
“— act legally within what has been set out. Can he commit that he will also look at how those people act legally but may have a loophole in the system that they can access?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. It will be no surprise to him that this is a very hot topic in my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. He referenced Lucy's law, and I welcome a commitment to that. I want to ensure that there are no loopholes in the legislation where breeders —”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber on this issue. It is incredible that, in 2024, charities and organisations such as Libraries NI have warm-room initiatives. They say that elderly people are attending their services just to escape the cold. This is a cross-departmental issue, as has been said. There is an impact on health, with pensioners switching off their heating. Unfortunately, there is a narrative that the Executive reached this decision very easily, so can the Minister assure us that, before taking this decision, the Executive gave proper and due consideration to the extra pressures that would be placed on public services?”
“We often talk about ensuring that children have the best possible start in life, and that is so true when we talk about children who have been struck by an illness. We need to ensure that we fund services appropriately and must take into account that it is not just about tackling the disease but about the educational, social, mental health and family support needs.”
“The health and well-being of children, young people and families is just as important as medical treatment. That is why, today, I publicly thank the charities that supported my family: CLIC Sargent Cancer Care for Children and the Cancer Fund for Children that runs Daisy Lodge in Newcastle. <BR /> <BR />Those charities supported my family during very difficult times. In Daisy Lodge, we had a haven to which we knew that we could go on holiday without the fear of not having anybody who would know what to do if we had a medical emergency, and those who were there knew exactly what we were going through as a family. I pay tribute to our healthcare staff, in particular play therapists, who helped us understand cancer through the lens of play. <BR /> <BR />Children are the future of our society.”
“I remember my sister travelling at 6.00 am with my parents to Belfast for hospital appointments. There was huge pressure on my parents. Being a child should be carefree, but it is not the case if parents have a child with cancer.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have had personal experience of childhood cancer in my family.”
“This month is, obviously, September, but it is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is an international campaign to support and raise awareness of children and young people who live with cancer. The badge that I wear today marks that month. <BR /> <BR />We can all agree that cancer is a cruel illness that snatches loved ones away from us and, as the Princess of Wales said yesterday, can change life in an instant. It also gives you a new perspective on life. It is a tough journey for those receiving treatment, and, for children and young people, there are extra pressures, such as time away from their social circles, endless trips to the hospital, time out of school and, for many young people, feeling different from their peers. As we all know, it can be tough at that age.”