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 thank the Minister for her response. Does she agree that it would be entirely wrong that police stations, such as the one in Limavady, would be closed as a sacrificial lamb to help to pay the £750,000 Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) fine and other subsequent costs following last year's data breach?”
“Like others, I thank the Minister for his statement. You say in your statement that trusts have already been asked to take "immediate action" to address critical issues. Can you provide more detail on those actions to the House today, and will you keep a close eye on the key issues that require immediate action?”
“The Minister was recently on record as saying that the situation was not sustainable and that he was determined to see urgent improvements. He confirmed recently that trusts are performing at roughly 80% of their pre-COVID capacity for the respite and short-term break beds that are available to adults with learning disabilities, their parents and carers. I very much look forward to hearing his comments on how he intends to ramp up that capacity to 100% and expand it further in the coming weeks, months and years. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Health very much needs to finalise and bring forward the learning disability service model. That needs to effectively and appropriately reflect the complexity and changing nature of demand, while increasing dedicated short break and respite provision. I hope that we will hear more about that today.”
“We need a clear strategic plan to address the shortage of adult respite provision meaningfully. As our population grows and more children with complex needs enter adult services, the appropriate services need to be in place before families and carers reach breaking point. Families need regular and predictable respite care, not ad hoc solutions that leave them in limbo. A sustainable model is a must, and it will offer carers the security of knowing that help is available when it is needed. <BR /> <BR />The Department has a duty of care to the most vulnerable in our society and to their families, who dedicate their lives to supporting them, but, unfortunately, carers in the Province are being forced to sacrifice their own health and well-being due to the lack of respite services.”
“Sadly, our current respite provision is failing to keep pace with demand. Families are being left without adequate support, and carers are burning out at an alarming rate. It is important to recognise the hard work and dedication of the staff in the facilities that provide respite care. I think of some in my constituency, such as Benbradagh Resource Centre, where the staff are unsung heroes who work in situations that are, at times, incredibly challenging. They are stretched thin and are working in environments that are underfunded and overburdened. They need support as much as the carers and individuals whom they serve. <BR /> <BR />On the lack of adult respite provision, I support the call for a comprehensive plan to ensure forward planning, additional investment and the ring-fencing of those essential services.”
“The demand for the services increases every year, and we see more children with learning difficulties, complex needs and challenging behaviours transitioning into adult care services. We must ensure that the support systems are in place to grow and adapt the provision to meet the needs of that increasing population.”
“We heard at Professor Bengoa's conference about social determinants of health. Here is one: unpaid carers dedicate their lives to looking after vulnerable family members, and they often provide valuable care at great personal and financial cost. They cannot do it alone. They need and deserve regular, reliable breaks: time to rest, recharge and take care of their own physical and mental well-being. We must always remember that, without the support of unpaid carers, the health and social care system would collapse.”
“Sometimes, children are just too challenging, and families cannot find a carer willing to take on that role. The eyes are often referred to as the windows to the soul. When you look into the eyes of those parents, you will see that, while they adore their children with every bone in their body, they are broken. They are not living; they are just existing as human beings. <BR /> <BR />A recent House of Commons research paper states:”
“Having dealt with issues in my constituency office, I know that trusts try to bridge the gaps, but they are pushing against storm surge tides, under intense pressure, and so many people fall through the many cracks due to the combination of facilities being repurposed for emergency care, staffing and recruitment, with that and all else being made worse by the long-term effects of the COVID pandemic. <BR /> <BR />When trusts provide direct payments to families to arrange their own care, families struggle to find suitable people to care for their child. I cite my constituency case of a mother of a boy with very severe complex needs. She posts a weekly advert on her Facebook account and asks the public to share her appeal for a carer and personal assistant to look after her boy. It is painful to see such posts.”
“That mother had spent two years pleading for support from her local health trust. We are all aware of cases of mothers, fathers and, indeed, grandparents struggling to cope with children and young adults in their homes. They are children with severe learning difficulties and various complex behavioural needs. I am sure that most of us in the Chamber take for granted the ability to go to our local shop, to go for a walk, to have a full night's sleep, to go on holiday or even to relax in the safety and tranquillity of our home. Little of that is possible for carers.”
“If it is deemed the right course of action to separate elective and non-elective surgery and care, the same principle must be applied to how we deliver respite and short break provision for hard-pressed families across the Province. We need those services to be protected. <BR /> <BR />The 'Spotlight' has certainly been shone on the wider issue since the recent BBC documentary that highlighted the pressures faced by families who struggle to cope with children who have complex additional needs. No one could be unmoved by the mother who appeared in that documentary and said:”
“<BR /> <BR />Research published last year found that people providing unpaid care for sick or disabled family members or friends saves Northern Ireland's health service £5·8 billion each year. In my constituency, which spans two trust areas, the estimated value of unpaid care per year in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust is £1·3 billion; in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, it is estimated at £800 million. The least that carers deserve is reliable access to adequate, high-quality respite services, allowing adults and children to be cared for in a safe and secure environment and their families to have a break from caring responsibilities.”
“My party certainly supports the thrust of the main motion, but we felt that it was important to include the issue of respite services being removed when families move from one trust area to another. Whilst availability of respite provision is a problem across the Province, there are also regional inequalities between health and social care trusts. There needs to be a step change in how health authorities cooperate. There needs to be a consistent pathway for families to access support regardless of where they live. Often, due to circumstances outside their control, families have to relocate. They should not be disadvantaged for doing so. Equally, service users should not have to uproot or travel inordinate distances to alternative services. Hence, we were keen to amend the motion.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, you will be aware that, over the past few years, there have been three road schemes on that route, which have caused many delays and detours. Given that it is 16 years since I attended the public consultation on the proposed A2 Ballykelly bypass, at a time when 16,000 vehicles per day were travelling through Ballykelly, when will the Department turn its attention to that bypass, and when will we see the much-awaited regional transport plan?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given that the BMA has highlighted the fact that many GP practices have seen no real benefit from the £5 million in the 2024-25 GMS package that was announced by the previous Minister, does he agree that it is important that we get a long-term model of GP indemnity right? If not, that will continue to act as a chill factor for GPs who wish to practise in or remain practising in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I particularly welcome the 27 jobs that he has announced for Ballykelly, which is in my constituency of East Londonderry. <BR /> <BR />You will be aware, Minister, that Jubilee House in Ballykelly has significant capacity and boasts modern and cutting-edge technology. Are you able to give a commitment that you will work with Executive colleagues to ensure that that building is used to its full potential in order to give the region the maximum economic benefit?”
“It adds to the quality of debate in the Chamber when we talk about our own circumstances. She talked about the fear that older people live with and how they see themselves as a burden on the health service. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his contributions. He said that he understands the frustration at the pace of reform, and we all share that. He also referenced the importance of partnership working, recruitment and retention, and I thank him for that.”
“She referenced the need for better working conditions for domiciliary carers. The Chair of the Health Committee, Liz Kimmins, said that the unavailability of beds was creating a bottleneck in emergency departments. She said that she had never seen the scale of the challenges that are currently in the system. <BR /> <BR />Colin McGrath highlighted how the system is in crisis and said that we need action now. Diana Armstrong, whom I very much welcome to her new role, said that the system is far from perfect and that we need to get ahead of the game. Linda Dillon said that we face the same challenges since the 'Power to People' report was commissioned and that no family should have to choose between paying for care and paying for everyday items. Kellie Armstrong talked about her personal circumstances.”
“The daughter of an elderly lady had no respite and was so stressed, so broken and so guilty for feeling the way that she did that she attempted to take her own life. The daughter ended up requiring support, which put further pressure on the health service. That is the circle of despair that I have referred to in previous debates. <BR /> <BR />I am conscious of time, but I will turn to some of the comments from the debate. The proposer of the motion, Nuala McAllister, said that it was crucial that social care was properly supported. She also said that consultations were being used as mechanisms of delay. My colleague, Diane Dodds, in proposing our amendment, said that over 600 patients had had a needless stay in hospital, which was akin to locking the doors of the Royal Victoria Hospital.”
“The system is under increasing pressure, with demand continuing to rise, which is due, in part, to an ageing population. However, social care is not just about older people; it is about the young man or woman with a learning disability who needs to move from a school setting into adult services; the elderly person who needs a care package to return home; and the person with mental health issues who requires support to move into supported living. <BR /> <BR />We can all give examples of cases from our constituency offices in which we have had to intervene. No family at the point of despair should have to come to our constituency offices and beg us to intervene. One case that stands out for me is from some years ago when I was a councillor.”
“In light of the ongoing challenges, I want to take a moment to recognise the incredible contributions of our front-line staff providers in community and voluntary sector organisations, particularly those who are unpaid, to whom I have just referred.”
“Several reports — some refer to review fatigue — state that we cannot continue to allow those gaps to persist.”
“The expert advisory panel sought to make the case for transforming the way that the adult care and support system operates by way of 16 proposals, including valuing the professional and strengthening the support available to carers. <BR /> <BR />Our social care system is the backbone of our society, caring for the elderly, the vulnerable and those in need. However, as the motion states, workforce shortages, limited capacity in care homes and unacceptably long delays in accessing community care packages are leaving too many of our people without the high-quality care services that they need and deserve. It is safe to say that many unpaid carers are at breaking point, with one in four describing their mental health as bad or very bad.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. This is a very broad topic, so I will keep my comments very broad. It is one of the most important topics in the health structure, and it is a key pillar. How many times have we heard that if you fix social care, you begin to fix the wider health service? <BR /> <BR />We very much support the thrust of the motion in calling for action to transform our social care system since the 'Power to People' report was published back in 2017, but we were keen to submit an amendment for the reasons that my colleague Diane Dodds outlined. It has been seven long years since the report's 16 proposals were made, but critical issues outlined in that report and others thereafter remain unresolved.”
“We must remember that our ultimate goal is not merely to address systemic issues but to deliver improved, sustainable care for vulnerable children and families. <BR /> <BR />A child who is supported today becomes an adult who contributes to society tomorrow, but, when we fail, those consequences reverberate through generations. Therefore, it is imperative that the welfare and protection of children remain priorities, not just today but every day and in every decision that we make as a devolved Assembly. The children, the families and the supporting organisations count on all of us, and they deserve nothing less than a full commitment to a brighter, safer and more supportive future. We often hear in the House about the costs of reform: in this case, we need to hear more about the costs of not reforming.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is recognised that, whilst the review's recommendations fall within the Department of Health, this is not just a matter for that Department. A recent letter briefing to the Health Committee detailed that the Health Minister had written to the Education, Justice and First Ministers, highlighting the need for cross-departmental support. I will welcome the Minister's response to the outcome of that correspondence, and I would like to know when he expects to make a further announcement to the Assembly, especially around what many see as a key recommendation that calls for an arm's-length body for children and families. We have been told that, without that, the review becomes just a collection of recommendations. Effective reform of children's social care requires a collaborative cross-sector approach.”
“<BR /> <BR />We hope that, today, we will receive a more detailed timeline for the implementation of the review's recommendations and specifically for those on waiting lists, fostering and workforce, which are heavily weighted among the 34 recommendations that the Department has accepted. It will be helpful to have a clear and accountable timeline that ensures that the reforms are enacted with adequate resources and funding. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that, without the necessary financial and human resources, any reform may remain aspirational at best. It is welcome that, so far in 2024, health trusts have recruited 200 new social workers. It is important that they are retained and not lost to other jurisdictions and that they have the skills mix to help address the wider issues in social care.”
“I also recognise that, ahead of the review being published, a strategic reform programme was established, a delivery plan is in place and that some additional funding has been made available to support the nine work streams in the plan. We welcome the quarterly updates to the Committee on this topic. However, as was said in the Health Committee recently, it feels as though another tier has been piled on another tier. Those at the heart of children's services just want the recommendations implemented. They want structural change because, as it stands, children are surviving but not thriving.”
“It is a duty, both moral and legislative, to ensure that children are not left behind and that every family has access to the support it needs in times of difficulty. <BR /> <BR />The review of children's social care services report, published in June 2023, exposed the many challenges. It was a comprehensive evidence-based analysis that pointed to the weaknesses in our current system of services. Crucially, it also outlines a clear and actionable path forward. However, a report — there are many in our health service — no matter how well-written or researched, is only as effective as the actions that it inspires. <BR /> <BR />The Minister may view this as me challenging him unfairly, but I assure him that I do not; indeed, I welcome that it is recognised in his Department that the pace of reform needs to quicken.”
“I begin by thanking Professor Ray Jones, the author of the independent review of children's social services. It is also important to recognise the three experts who assisted: Marie Roulston OBE, Judge Patricia Smyth and Professor Pat Dolan. I commend the thorough work undertaken by the review team. Their efforts have provided a road map that contains 53 recommendations and has been informed by the lived experiences of children, young people, families, carers and those working in our care services. We thank them all for their input. <BR /> <BR />The welfare and protection of vulnerable children and families is certainly paramount. Those individuals rely on us and look to us for leadership, protection and action in the Chamber.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House today. Does he agree that this scandal and the story from last week shine a very bright light on how important it is that it is made as easy as possible for patients and staff, regardless of their roles, to share their experiences, that sharing their experiences is normalised and that those in key positions act decisively when those experiences are shared?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Can he give an assurance that action point 5 is not a case of his Department putting a proverbial gun to the head of the population of the Causeway region that only when they accept the removal of emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital will it be designated as an elective hub?”
“The questions that we must ask are simple. The Department of Health's budget is well north of £7 billion, with £122 million having been added in the June monitoring round. Are we so far gone that we cannot afford £1·8 million to reinstate community and voluntary sector core grant funding? <BR /> <BR />I ask the Minister whether he has already submitted, or is going to submit, a bid to uplift that core grant funding. I look forward to his response and urge him to do everything in his power to reverse the cuts to core grant funding and to reinstate, please, the financial support that those vital organisations need in order to continue their good work.”
“The evidence is clear that, for every pound invested in mental health services, we save multiples of that in future costs to our health system, our economy and our society. <BR /> <BR />I agree with Children in Northern Ireland, the umbrella body for the children's sector, which has stated:”
“It provides a safe space for them to share their struggles and an access hub without stigma or barriers. The health service simply cannot fill the void that will be left by the cuts. In fact, we are setting ourselves up for an even bigger crisis. Without timely intervention, many individuals will end up in emergency departments or, worse, in tragic situations that could have been prevented with early support. We all know that prevention is better and more cost-effective than cure. Surely it is far cheaper to fund community services than it is to deal with the long-term consequences of untreated mental health issues. We often hear the phrase "penny wise and pound foolish" in here.”
“Let us not forget that we are still recovering from the widespread mental health challenges that were exacerbated by the pandemic. Isolation, financial stress, grief and uncertainty have all taken a toll on our people. We are seeing the long-term effects of that crisis on mental health. <BR /> <BR />The demand for services is higher than ever. Imagine what is happening now that half the funding for those essential services has disappeared. The results are not good. Waiting lists are growing, nervous staff are being let go, and people who are in desperate need of support are being left to fend for themselves. The pressure on our already overburdened health system is being added to. The voluntary sector is often the first point of contact for individuals who may be hesitant about approaching formal health services.”
“<BR /> <BR />I stand not just to praise their work but to highlight that our community and voluntary sector faces an existential threat. The decision to cut community and voluntary sector organisations' core grant funding by 50% last year has placed many of them on the brink. It has led to staff being laid off and has forced those organisations to change the way in which they operate. The cut is not just a budget line but a lifeline that has been severed for countless individuals and families who depend on those services for their mental health and well-being. One children's charity called the decision to maintain the cut "short-sighted". Indeed, were the grant scheme to cease, it is predicted that 62% of those organisations would be at risk of collapse.”
“Like others, I commend the incredible work of the community and voluntary sector in providing vital mental health services to some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Those organisations are certainly the lifeblood of the place that we call home. They offer support and care and give hope to those who often feel lost or unheard. Members in every corner of the Assembly have witnessed the impact that those organisations have. Whether it is a small charity offering support to the elderly or helping vulnerable children, a group providing counselling services to people in crisis or a community group helping people manage anxiety, depression or trauma, those groups stand at the forefront of our mental health care and fill the gaps in our health service with compassion, dedication and expertise.”
“Despite the scale of the problem, our mental health services are simply woefully inadequate to meet the growing demands. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the Assembly can support my party's amendment. It is broad in nature — we get that — but the meaning is there. I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. It has been a worthy debate and has set the right tone.”
“She also referred to the findings and recommendations of a recent PAC report. Timothy Gaston talked about how he has met people of all ages who are affected. He praised the work of Turning Point. Gerry Carroll said that, for groups, it is like pushing a boulder up a mountain. He rightly talked about the cut to the winter fuel payment, which will affect people's mental health. <BR /> <BR />We know that the devastating impacts of mental health disorders, anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses affect people of all ages across Northern Ireland, and the burden of those conditions does not discriminate. It affects children, young adults, parents and grandparents. It affects us all. Every one of us in the Chamber can point to a family member who has suffered or is suffering.”
“The proposer of the motion rightly paid tribute to groups that are at the coalface of the mental health crisis and said rightly that one life lost was too many. Diane Dodds spoke eloquently, as she usually does. She mentioned that only £9 million had been allocated to the mental health strategy. She also referred to the impact of the Troubles. Órlaithí Flynn highlighted how drug- and alcohol-related deaths have doubled. Danny Donnelly talked about the importance of sport in dealing with health. Robbie Butler referred to the impact of our violent past and to how men are four times more likely to die by suicide. Peter McReynolds said that the motion was one of the most important to have been tabled by the Opposition. Michelle Guy talked about a young constituent, Matthew Taylor.”
“Then, we have the situation where those on the outer fringes, such as the community and voluntary sector, which has picked up the slack in providing support for those with mental health issues, have had their funding slashed. It is like a never-ending circle of despair. I fear that we will be having these conversations in a debate on a similar motion before the end of the mandate and that those who come after us will debate these issues in a new mandate just like those before us debated them. <BR /> <BR />I turn to some of the points that were made. Gary Middleton talked about using everything in our power to deal with the issue and about how 1,026 children are on mental health waiting lists. He also called for greater access to GP services.”
“As has been stated on the Floor many times, without timely interventions, people's conditions will descend into further decline, and, ultimately, their conditions will become more costly to treat or they will be lost to suicide. <BR /> <BR />The Department tells us that, without additional funding and the ability to invest in the workforce, it will struggle to address waiting lists. On top of that, the Secretary of State tells us that we must live within our means. For someone on that long waiting list, if we were to be honest, very sadly, as things stand, there is no extra money and little hope. <BR /> <BR />Emergency departments will continue to be the fallback position for so many in desperate need, placing further strain on an already struggling health service and adding further pressure to our education and justice systems.”
“It is with profound regret that we have had to debate the state of mental health provision in the Province. Despite the progress that we have made in some areas, the state of mental healthcare remains deeply troubling. The sour truth is that the number of lives lost to suicide in Northern Ireland exceeds the number of those who lost their lives during the Troubles. Its trajectory tells us that those figures may indeed get worse. Figures from December 2023 tell us that 17,500 people are waiting for a first appointment. I have no doubt that we would be staring at even starker figures had it not been for the £10 million that was secured by my party via the confidence-and-supply agreement that allowed additional investment in mental health services over a five-year period.”
“It has got worse since I said those words six months ago. <BR /> <BR />I have also talked in the House about my own health issues. I suffer from chronic pain. I have been in and out of hospital constantly. I am on multiple waiting lists. The motion is timely because I stand here in extreme pain, even with potent tablets. I am on a waiting list for treatment. I have been on that waiting list for so long that I cannot even remember how long ago I was referred. It is now into years. I stand here with a condition that will not kill me. Thousands of our constituents are on waiting lists with conditions that, ultimately, without timely intervention, they will die from. We must turn that tide. I look forward to the Health Minister's comments.”
“That principle is now gone. <BR /> <BR />Six months ago, in a previous debate on waiting lists, I said:”
“<BR /> <BR />We are all concerned that, despite the urgency of the situation, the stabilisation package that was provided by the Government in 2023 falls way short and will not take forward the transformation agenda that we all need. That has been borne out by the Fiscal Council, which has said that the package will be swallowed up by public-sector pay rises. The DUP is on record as saying that it fell short and did not provide for a long-term outcome. While we all want to see a long-term, fair funding plan, we also need to see a detailed plan from the Health Minister on the future of our hospitals, including the Causeway Hospital, which, on the face of it, looks to be a case of managing downgrade. The health service has always been the pride of our nation, built on the principle that no one should suffer because they cannot afford care.”
“Many of those children are suffering the consequences of long-term nasogastric feeding. The fact is that they might not survive five years to get that particular surgery. <BR /> <BR />The stats on cancer care are equally concerning. As of the first quarter of 2024, the percentage of patients who were starting treatment following the decision to treat was 86·5%, which is significantly below the target of 98%. For urgent GP referrals, only 29·8% of patients began treatment within the target of 62 days, in stark contrast to the 95% target. The percentage of patients who were seen by a breast cancer specialist within 14 days was 34·1%, far below the target of 100%. Those figures are not just numbers; they represent patients, our constituents, who are waiting far too long for critical treatment.”
“At the Health Committee, we have been told that one of the most difficult issues that a GP must face is referring someone onto a waiting list, knowing that their patient will be on that waiting list for many years to come and that they will be helpless to improve their chances of an urgent appointment. <BR /> <BR />Just recently, we received correspondence from a representative of a large group of parents and carers from across Northern Ireland who have children with complex medical needs. Those children are awaiting percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion surgery. It can be done only at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. That waiting list has now increased to five years. Around 90 children in the Province are awaiting that surgery.”
“Between June 2023 and June 2024, we witnessed a staggering 9·4% increase in the number of patients who are waiting for such appointments across the Northern, Southern and Western Health and Social Care Trusts. That is a reflection not just of the strain on the health system but of the human toll that it is taking on people. More than 340,000 people are now on a waiting list for a first outpatient appointment. That is just in four of the five health trusts. Families are being left in limbo, patients are left suffering and healthcare professionals are left with an impossible task.”