Alan Robinson
East Londonderry · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“As the school year comes to a close, 2026 will see the loss of two high-profile educators in Roe Valley. Those two individuals have given many valuable years of service to the education system.”
“<BR /> <BR />Marshall and Nicola, I hope that you begin your well-earned rest with immense pride in all that you have accomplished. Your schools will undoubtedly miss you, but your legacy will continue through every pupil whose life was enriched because of your years of service.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the two individuals led very different schools, they shared a calling: to provide the best education for young people and to inspire those around them. They have been a steady, reassuring presence for generations of children and trusted colleagues to their staff.”
“He has been an incredibly popular head of school and has the respect of many across the education system in the Province. I wish him well and trust that he will enjoy having more time for the sports that he is so deeply fond of, including rugby.”
“I thank the Member for that response. I very much welcome the addition of a padded protective area, which is something that I had lobbied for. I am keen to know whether there are any plans to increase the number of Changing Places facilities in Parliament Buildings in order to improve accessibility for staff and visitors.”
“Like others, I support the motion. For many individuals and couples across Northern Ireland, the dream of becoming parents is accompanied by years of emotional heartbreak. Couples who have undergone that journey will tell you that it is the uncertainty that kills them.”
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“I am aware that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council had called for DFI to consider changing planning laws in a bid to control the number of holiday homes on the north coast, only for DFI to respond by saying that it had no plans to amend existing planning legislation as not all council areas are affected by second homes and holiday lets. DFI suggested that it was for councils to prepare bespoke local policies to address the issues. However, a council report dated 26 October 2022 indicated that research had not established evidence to demonstrate that the presence of second homes and holiday lets was the sole reason for high property prices, and that leads me on to the need for more investment in affordable housing for our local residents. <BR /> <BR />The council paper that I referred to states:”
“Councillors in that area have told me that there are localities where a single light shines from the one permanent home and where residents talk about a lonely existence. Maybe there is the possibility of local groups, the council and others engaging with second-home owners to foster a sense of shared responsibility for towns and to provide a future where second homes coexist with the heartbeat of the local area. The path forward with regard to second homes is about striking a balance. If regulation is the way forward, it must be done with sensitivity. Welcoming second-home owners while preserving our community spirit is paramount. <BR /> <BR />If councils are minded to wield power by way of changing planning law to regulate second homes and holiday lets, it must be done with common sense.”
“When second-home owners outnumber permanent residents, the social bonds weaken. That is prevalent in areas such as Portballintrae, where the council suggests that 45% to 51% of the housing stock is now second homes.”
“However, the many wealthy second-home owners contribute handsomely to the area. I know that some are entrepreneurs who have created multimillion-pound businesses and generated wealth in Northern Ireland. When they visit our region, they shop and dine. The maintenance industry, indeed, relies on second-home owners, with builders, carpenters, plumbers and electricians finding steady work in maintaining their properties. <BR /> <BR />With the abundance of second homes, however, come many challenges. It is safe to say that homes being empty outside peak season leaves some of our towns and villages feeling empty. There is also the affordability crisis: the influx of second homes can inflate property prices, pushing locals out of the housing market. We must always remember that a community thrives on its people.”
“I will begin my contribution in a positive way by highlighting the picturesque retreats that dot our north coast. There is no doubt that the coastline and the towns and villages that we represent in East Londonderry are truly stunning, world-class and highly sought-after places for visiting and living in. All of us in the Chamber who represent East Londonderry should feel proud and lucky to live in and represent that part of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The north coast certainly has its seasonal patterns. It is safe to say that some businesses have had their economic struggles because their times of thriving on seasonal trade are interspersed with large parts of the year when accommodation is semi-redundant because owners are absent, therefore contributing only sporadically to the local economy.”
“Thank you, Minister. In your statement, you informed the House that there will be a need for up to eight new special schools across the Province over the next decade. Do you have an early indication of where those schools may be located and what the process for delivery will be?”
“Thank you, Minister, for facilitating a meeting this morning with Rossmar School. I thank my constituency colleague Cara Hunter for attending that meeting and supporting me. Your statement is very timely, Minister, and I very much appreciate the fact that you referred to Sandelford School in Coleraine. Can you give assurances that Rossmar School, which requires much-needed additional investment, will be actively considered in future school enhancement programmes?”
“I appreciate the Member's comments, but, sometimes, we differ in here. <BR /> <BR />The building blocks of a strategy could be lifted from the 'Loneliness in Northern Ireland: A call to action' report, which was published in 2020. The report brought together different approaches from across the UK and Ireland, and it recommended, as a first step, setting up an Assembly Committee inquiry and making recommendations based on the evidence gathered. It is a starting point but one that must commence. My party will support the motion.”
“I agree that the strategy should apply to all ages and that it should be embedded in a Programme for Government and developed through schools and youth services. Given that the thrust of the motion lies, on the whole, with the Health Minister, it would have been helpful for him to be here or for the proposer not to frame the motion in a way that dials down the obligations of his Minister.”
“I think of Good Morning Roe Valley, which the Limavady Community Development Initiative (LCDI) delivers, and, of course, Causeway Older Active Strategic Team (COAST), which supports people across the Causeway area who are aged 60-plus and delivers a vital handyman service to keep older people safe in their homes. <BR /> <BR />I met representatives from COAST recently, and I was horrified by the fact that their current funding is due to cease in 2026. If we are truly to deliver on such a strategy, organisations such as COAST should have ring-fenced and sustainable funding. We should invest in those who provide befriending and companionship services and who have been at the front line in addressing loneliness, rather than de-investing in them. Indeed, we should use their experience to drive policies and frame any such strategy.”
“When we hear of the need for a cross-departmental strategy, which we have, it is an opportunity to applaud the good work that is happening as we speak to address the issue. In my constituency, I think of the wonderful work of Men's Sheds, including the groups at Ballykelly, Limavady and Portstewart, which provide users with skills in woodcraft and opportunities for people who are lonely to participate in pool, darts, gardening, cooking, counselling, art projects, health talks, walking groups and trips. I think of Age Concern Causeway, which does so much good work in befriending people and providing networking opportunities.”
“Like others, I thank Robbie for tabling the motion. <BR /> <BR />Imagine the only company that you have is a clock ticking in a room. We have all been there, but, for us, it is likely to have been short-lived. For thousands of others in our Province, that is their daily reality. Feeling lonely is a seemingly innocuous emotion, but it has far-reaching consequences that can affect all age groups, people with disabilities and even those with a caring role. That role can be so demanding that they lose their hobbies or what was once their circle of friends. On some occasions, as some of us can testify, they lose the will to live. <BR /> <BR />As we heard, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK that does not have a loneliness strategy.”
“I have no doubt that the place that we call heaven will have been a noisy place on Saturday night. <BR /> <BR />I commend the management, players and, of course, the band of loyal Limavady United supporters who follow and assist the club, week in and week out. The success of Limavady United adds to the number of sporting achievements in the town of late, and long may it continue.”
“I previously invited the sports Minister to visit the club, and, when his diary permits, the club will have an opportunity to showcase its trophy haul to him. <BR /> <BR />The club has an illustrious history dating back to the late 1880s, and its triumphs this season will only add to the rich list of local footballing honours that it holds. Had the late David Brewster still been with us, who wrote many a piece on player appearances and, indeed, compiled books on the history of the club, he would have been kicking every ball. He would have spent Saturday evening smoking his pipe in one hand, his Limavady United scarf in the other, with, on his desk, his famous fax to Manchester City, in which he offered to take Carlos Tevez on loan, as long as Manchester City continued to pay his £200,000 a week wage.”
“I offer my congratulations to Limavady United Football Club, which has won the Playr-Fit premier intermediate league championship. That will see the club play in the championship next season, and, given the team that has been built by the manager, Paul Owens, which he has retained and added to, I have no doubt that it will hold its own in that league. I also want to congratulate the club on being treble winners this season, having also won the North West Cup and the Craig Memorial Cup. To add to their credit, Alex Pomeroy, the club's key target man, was awarded the premier intermediate player of the year. <BR /> <BR />I had the opportunity to watch the Roesiders on a number of occasions, and, indeed, I enjoyed the final home game of the season, where they proudly and deservedly lifted the league-winning trophy.”
“Absolutely. I am more than happy to agree with that. <BR /> <BR />That information would be useful in dictating current and future policies and could help to drive recruitment campaigns, including to attract different demographics, such as single people, those who do not own their home and those with a disability. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, Minister, I ask what your vision is: what action plan do you have to recruit, retain and reward carers before the crisis in foster care deepens any further?”
“Those who consider being foster carers would be more willing if they knew that they would be regarded as an integral part of not only the care plan for those in their care but the children's social services workforce. Receiving the right, easily accessible support is also key to transforming people's attitudes to taking on the foster carer role, which provides opportunities for development and specialist training. <BR /> <BR />I am keen to hear from the Minister what feedback is collated from those who leave fostering, to uncover the reasons behind their decision to exit or deregister. That information would be useful in dictating current and future policies and could help to drive recruitment campaigns, including to attract different demographics, such as single people —.”
“In the Irish Republic, in November 2024, the foster care allowance for children under 12 will increase to €400 a week, and that allowance for children aged 12 and over will increase to €425 a week. Foster care allowances here sit 16% below the GB average, with the gap set to widen further. Effectively, the real-world costs are transferred to the families who foster. <BR /> <BR />Merely pinning the blame on money would do foster carers a disservice; indeed, there is a similar problem in England with the number of foster carers stepping forward. Foster carers have pointed to poor communication between trust staff and social work teams that has left them feeling undervalued. Addressing that will require a cultural change in the health system. Rather than being seen by trusts as service users, foster carers want to be treated as key partners.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Fostering Network tells us that the Province is short of approximately 300 foster carers, meaning that the stability that I mentioned will be lost to some children as a result of their being moved around the system. Why are we short of foster carers? Is there a lack of aggression in the recruitment processes? Is it because of a lack of strategic planning? Is it because of the cost-of-living crisis in which families struggle to care for their children? Is it the case in Northern Ireland because the weekly fostering allowances in the Province have not kept up with inflation or with the same allowances in the Republic of Ireland or mainland UK?”
“I begin, as others have, by commending foster carers past and present throughout Northern Ireland for their vital contribution. Those unsung heroes have played a key role in shaping the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people. Their dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment creates safe havens for young people who face adversity, loss and uncertainty. In the embrace of a loving foster home, children find solace, stability and a chance to reach their full potential in a place where predicted futures can be rewritten. Yet, as we debate the motion, the number of children and young people in care has reached its highest level since 1995, while only 2% of people in Northern Ireland who took part in a Barnardo's poll indicated that they would consider fostering a child in the next five years.”
“<BR /> <BR />In conclusion, beyond the statistics, there are human faces behind the numbers: our loved ones, friends and neighbours. Lives have been lost and families shattered. The Assembly and the Executive must be shown to be the architects of change in the storm of addiction, and we must turn the tide. My party supports the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />The NISRA report also shows that opioids consistently top the list as the cause of those tragic deaths. Indeed, each year, over half of drug-related deaths have involved opioids, with heroin and morphine the most frequently mentioned. As for providing residential rehabilitation services in Northern Ireland, I hope that they are provided on an equal-access basis. Whilst providing such services will require an ongoing and considerable financial outlay, that will be an investment in our collective well-being. That is borne out by the NI Audit Office report, which indicated that the cost of alcohol misuse alone in the Province was £900 million per annum and that adding the costs of the harms related to other drugs to that figure took the cost to £1·5 billion per annum.”
“Those are the prime years of life, filled with promise and potential, yet they are cut short by the grip of addiction. <BR /> <BR />It is a multifaceted problem that cuts across society, and such societal issues require a number of Executive Ministers to deal with them collectively. Therefore, I urge the Minister to keep his focus on this topic. The substance use strategy provides a road map and lifeline for harm prevention, harm reduction and addiction treatment. The strategy detailed the rapidly changing nature of substance use and recommended that a review be conducted after five years to refresh its actions and give the opportunity for emerging evidence to be taken on board. I trust that life will continue to be breathed into those provisions.”
“cannot be overstated. It is a vicious cycle that traps individuals in a web of despair, where substance misuse becomes both a symptom and a cause. <BR /> <BR />The NI Audit Office report detailed how the 20% most-deprived areas accounted for 44·5% of drug-related deaths and 44·4% of drug misuse deaths between 2018 and 2022, compared to 7·6% drug-related and 7·2% drug misuse deaths in the 20% least-deprived areas over the same period. The Belfast area had the highest rate of drug deaths in 2022, while the Causeway Coast and Glens area, which is in my constituency, had the second-highest rate. The NISRA data on deprivation shows that addiction thrives where hope is scarce. As the data is dissected, we find that those aged 25 to 34 bear the brunt of the epidemic.”
“The 2022 figure of 154 still represents a 40% increase in the number of drug deaths that were registered a decade ago, but it is a significant decrease from the 2021 figure. I ask the Minister for his assessment of that. Does he believe that some aspect of the substance misuse strategy is working? <BR /> <BR />As those on the front line grapple with the crisis, we must always recognise that this is not merely a statistical blip. Any death is a human tragedy that touches lives, families and entire areas. Those are not mere numbers; they represent sons, daughters, friends and neighbours who were lost prematurely. The:”
“On a similar theme to that of other Members, I express my sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones who are part of the sad and ever-growing stats that we have before us today. The debate has been conducted in the right tone, and those who have lost loved ones have been central to it. <BR /> <BR />I absolutely recognise that this is an issue of the utmost importance, and that it affects the very fabric of our society. The report that was published by NISRA in January cast a light on drug-related deaths and substance misuse. Since 2012, deaths due to drug-related causes have risen by 98%: from 110 in 2012 to a peak of 218 in 2020 and 213 in 2021. However, there was a marked decrease in the number of drug-related deaths in 2022.”
“Who will benefit, and when does he expect staff to be in a position to avail themselves of these? Has the Minister had any conversations with the Infrastructure Minister about creating better transport links between public transport routes and Health and Social Care (HSC) sites?”
“My contribution today will be short because, as for other Members, the points that I wanted to raise during last week's Second Stage and the queries that I wanted to pose have, on the whole, been answered. <BR /> <BR />One matter that I raised during my contribution last week, Minister, was not addressed. It is the issue of permits for the dedicated staff and those working shifts, especially the low-paid workers in our health service. Indeed, we received information this week that Northern Ireland junior doctors have reported costs of up to £1,150 a year to park at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Parking for a single shift at Belfast City Hospital can cost £11 a day. Again, following my query last week, will the Minister inform the House how advanced is the issuing of the permits?”
“Was an opportunity missed to begin the tendering works earlier to provide that solution, given that tendering processes can be prone to legal challenges? I look forward to your comments on the matter, Minister.”
“I have sympathy for some of the concerns that were expressed at the time, including the delicate balance between providing essential services, including the maintenance of health service car parks, and managing Health budgets. I do not envy the Minister in having to balance financial realities against the demands of the public, but today is not about the rehashing of previous debates, as the case has already been made. I will, however, encourage the Minister today to provide more detail on the permits that will be issued, how advanced this is and when it will begin. I also ask the Minister, with regard to the implementation timeline of the Hospital Parking Charges Act, at what point was it recognised that a parking solution was required?”
“At a recent Health Committee meeting, we had a letter tabled from the Health Minister informing us that, at the Executive meeting on 21 March, he had sought and received agreement to defer the Hospital Parking Charges Act for two years. At the Health Committee meeting on 11 April, I was very disappointed that not one of the officials from the Department of Health could give a guarantee that car parking charges would be disposed of, as is being proposed here today. Therefore, I ask the Minister to provide that guarantee that he will not be standing in this House in two years seeking a further extension to the Hospital Parking Charges Act. <BR /> <BR />I read through some of the previous debates from when the original Bill travelled through the House.”
“My disappointment pales into insignificance when one considers the disappointment of those who require frequent visits to our hospitals, such as parents with chronically sick children, visitors with gravely ill relatives and dedicated staff working shifts. They will, quite rightly, point to Wales, where hospital car parking charges were eventually dropped, and to Scotland, where charges were dropped approximately 15 years ago.”
“Like others, I express disappointment at the delay in disposing of what many would deem a sickness tax.”
“It is about standing with those who feel invisible in their grief and saying, "We see you, we honour you and your child, and we are listening to you." <BR /> <BR />This place is back with a lot of hope and fanfare, so let us be the voice of the voiceless. Let us bring this change to Northern Ireland, because every precious life, no matter how brief, leaves an imprint on this world and deserves to be remembered.”
“The loss of a child before 24 weeks is a silent sorrow that many parents carry without the solace of formal recognition. <BR /> <BR />While England has taken steps to offer a voluntary baby loss certificate and other parts of the UK are facing a lobby to provide the same, Northern Ireland has yet to implement this compassionate measure. Such a certificate would be a symbol and a tangible expression of the loss that parents feel. It says to those who are grieving, "Your loss is real, your baby's existence was significant and your pain is acknowledged by society." It is a step towards healing and a gesture that can provide comfort during a time of indescribable pain. Implementing a baby loss certificate scheme is not about bureaucracy but about humanity.”
“What action has been taken on the back of that? What proportion of parents chose not to accompany their baby? How does that square with rates prior to the loss of the regional service in 2019? Lastly, have wait times for post-mortems and turnaround times for results improved since 2019? How does that trajectory compare with outcomes in the Irish Republic? <BR /> <BR />In relation to the second element of the motion, my party supports a baby loss certificate scheme. The recognition of the loss of a baby, no matter how, or how early, it occurs, is a matter of profound sensitivity and importance. The introduction of a baby loss certificate in Northern Ireland is not just about a document. It is about acknowledgement, compassion and support for those who have endured the unimaginable.”
“Therefore, whilst we agree that this must be a priority for the Department going forward, it is also a time for a careful and evidence-based approach. No option should be off the table, but parental choice on whether to access this service, wherever it resides, must be respected in all scenarios. <BR /> <BR />It will certainly be helpful as well if the Health Minister, at some point, by way of ministerial questions or whatever, can answer a number of points. Is there still an open-ended or rolling recruitment process ongoing in this field? How many consultant posts in this field have been successfully recruited in GB or the Irish Republic in the same period? Is feedback from parents, staff and funeral directors who have been used or work as part of the interim pathology service in Alder Hey still being captured?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is our understanding that, prior to the loss of the Belfast Trust service, contact was made with the Irish authorities to examine the feasibility of providing an in-reach service in Northern Ireland. At that point, that was not deemed to be viable, due to capacity constraints. There has been little evidence to date that that position has changed. In light of that, it is crucial that we do not raise false expectations as to the likelihood of a cross-border service, particularly in the short term. It would be wrong to go down that route only for it to emerge that the current skills and infrastructure in the Republic of Ireland do not have the headroom to absorb the increased demand. In such a case, we could be in a situation where bereaved parents faced broadly similar wait times to those that are experienced at present.”
“<BR /> <BR />That does not mean that my party opposes greater cross-border cooperation in this area. The problems of training, recruitment and staffing shortages are shared throughout the British Isles and internationally. Finding common solutions that allow both our jurisdictions to attract, retain and, perhaps, share skills and expertise will go a long way to supporting a long-term answer to those issues. There needs to be a recognition that the scarcity of skilled health professionals remains a key obstacle to the restoration of a dedicated service in the Province or the concept of an all-Ireland network service for perinatal and paediatric pathology services.”
“The continued absence of a local perinatal and paediatric pathology service is extremely disappointing. There is no doubt that it places an additional burden on bereaved parents at a devastating time in their lives. It should not be the case that a mother faces the stark choice between accompanying her baby to another part of the United Kingdom for a post mortem, with all the upheaval that that causes, or being separated from them at a time of immense grief. My party believes that the Department should continue to pursue all options to reinstate a regional service in Northern Ireland. Our citizens deserve to have timely and reliable access to that provision in their own communities, in familiar surroundings in the NHS and in close proximity to the vital support networks of friends and family, which are incredibly important.”
“My party welcomes the Audit Office report and the informed analysis and recommendations that it provided for taking this important matter forward.”
“I will highlight some of the key recommendations of the Audit Office report, the first of which is:”
“Accountability arrangements were not understood by all, and a lack of joined-up working "hampered the effectiveness" of the strategy. <BR /> <BR />The report also found that there are:”
“It is important to base a strategy and action plan on reliable research and informed studies. The Northern Ireland Audit Office recently published its report on child poverty in Northern Ireland. I will highlight some of the findings. The Audit Office report concluded that about one fifth of children in Northern Ireland live in relative poverty, before housing costs are factored in. The report found that there has been "little sustained improvement" in reducing child poverty levels since the Executive published their previous child poverty strategy in 2016. The report found that the previous strategy's outcomes:”
“They have played their part in bringing silverware to Limavady and in putting the town on the rugby map. To the supporters, who may still feel a little delicate after last weekend's celebrations, I say, "Here's to many more in the future". Well done, Limavady.”
“I will make a short statement in the House today to offer my heartiest congratulations to Limavady Rugby Club, which, on Saturday week ago, won the Junior Shield final at the Kingspan Stadium, having defeated Lurgan Rugby Club 26-19. The route to the final was not easy. In the quarter-final, which was an away match, Limavady swept aside Omagh Accies 61-5. In the semi-final, which was played at the John Hunter Memorial Grounds, Limavady defeated Monaghan 29-17, earning the team a historic trip to the Kingspan. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to Mark Hylands, the director of rugby at Limavady, all the postholders, and the firsts' captain, Ben Riley, who led the club to that fantastic victory. I also pay tribute to all the volunteers who, behind the scenes, make the club tick.”
“Thanks, Minister. I was going to ask you whether, if I write to you, you will consider visiting East Londonderry? I would be very happy to accompany you in meeting with some of the businesses that have to trade beside such buildings.”
“Thank you for your answer, Minister. Do you agree that all of us who represent the north-west wish to promote it positively? However, that key route, which services the airport in the north-west, is in such poor condition and gives a terrible impression to visitors, not forgetting the damage to vehicles.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Does she agree with me that, given that this site was once described as one of the most exciting sites in the north-west, every effort must be made to ensure that it becomes an economic driver for the north-west?”
“<BR /> <BR />I would like to state, from an East Londonderry point of view, that there should be a new railway halt in the north-west to promote its role as an economic hub — specifically, to Londonderry airport — and that, as part of the future investment that is being considered from Londonderry to Belfast and beyond, a Limavady spur should be examined. The success of the Bellarena halt investment has shown that the "Build it and they will come" approach has paid off. I implore the Minister to get on with providing the long-awaited new upgrade to car parking facilities at Bellarena.”