Sian Mulholland
North Antrim · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Members from different parties recognised that our justice system must continue to evolve and continue to have children, young people and victims at its heart. What, we know, works to reduce offending and create safer communities has that support. <BR /> <BR />Not every contribution reflected that approach.”
“I will use my final Member's statement before recess to reflect on the work of the Ten is Too Young Coalition and all those who have worked so passionately to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR), including Voice of Young People in Care, the Children's Law Centre, NIACRO, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Childre…”
“We so often hear calls in the Chamber for legislation that is evidence-led, data-driven and compliant with our human rights obligations. Those are principles that I wholeheartedly support, but they cannot be principles that are applied only when they are convenient. Children's rights are human rights too.”
“<BR /> <BR />The triggering of the petition of concern mechanism was a misuse of a mechanism that was designed to protect minority rights. Here it is, blocking change designed to protect those who are most vulnerable.”
“Safeguarding falls within your remit, Minister. We know that, but we also know that it is the responsibility of each and every one of us. That is part of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. Faith-based counselling is not subject to the same regulation as other clinical counselling services.”
“Thank you, Minister. I am glad to hear you say that the role played by social workers is "complex and challenging". From what I hear from those who have contacted me, social workers are stretched to capacity. What is the Department doing to address that?”
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“We know that the lough is central to the many communities around it. How are you engaging with those local communities to tackle the water quality issues that affect Lough Neagh?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. On a slightly related note, you spoke about the belief that inheritance tax will have an impact on only a small number of large farms and that most small farms will be protected. First, is there any indication of what criteria will be used to differentiate between the two? Secondly, what engagement needs to happen in order to ensure that our farmers are protected in the face of that change?”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />That is a great point. What I see now when I look around this Building and at those who sit in the Chamber is very different from what I saw growing up, particularly in the female representation and age. We have more people with young families. As I look around the Chamber, I see quite a few Members, be they male or female, who have young families. Anything that we can do to create a working environment where more women and parents feel empowered to join us in shaping the future of our society is a good thing.”
“It is about making it as easy as possible. The proposals on parental leave are an important signal that we are serious about catching up to, as Mr McGrath said, "the last century" — not even this one — and ensuring that our Assembly reflects the diversity of the people whom we represent. I feel that it is time —.”
“It signals that we value the contributions of families, mothers and fathers and recognise that family life should not be a barrier to political engagement. I welcome the fact that these changes acknowledge the rights and needs of not just biological parents but all parents, be they biological, adoptive or foster in nature. <BR /> <BR />We know that this will significantly impact on mothers and their ability to balance new motherhood with being a political representative. We still lag behind other legislatures in the percentage of MLAs who are women. I think that we are at 36%, which is far below gender parity. Other Parliaments across the UK and Europe have taken stronger steps than this to improve gender balance and create family-friendly policies, be those on the timings of debates or the provision of a crèche facility.”
“Some MLAs are not in a position where the father or another caregiver can take that shared leave. <BR /> <BR />There are many reasons why we should have the proxy vote provision, but I will focus on the rural aspect. Many MLAs can manage because they live close by or within driving distance. However, when you have guidance that says that a newborn baby cannot be in a car seat for longer than 40 minutes and you live an hour and 20 minutes away, that poses a logistical issue. <BR /> <BR />If we want to truly encourage more women and parents to step into civic and political roles, we have to ensure that they have the support that they need to balance their family responsibilities with the demands of public service. The introduction of parental leave for MLAs is a really key part of that.”
“First, I was asked, "Why don't you put her into childcare?". There are very few childcare places available for a baby who is five weeks old. Secondly, I was asked, "Why doesn't your husband look after her?". I recognise my privilege, and I was in the fortunate position that he was able to step in as the primary caregiver because he was able to take shared parental leave due to the date of my co-option to the Assembly. Had I been co-opted two weeks earlier, my husband would not have been eligible for shared parental leave because his ability to take it was based on my previous employment. As MLAs, we are not regarded as employees or sole traders, so, after legal advice, we found that we were only eligible due to the date of my co-option into the Assembly.”
“I welcome the changes to our Standing Orders, as someone who had to return to work when my baby was just five weeks old after the return of the House in February. I was unable to legally drive myself to the Building: I was still healing, physically and mentally, from major surgery and also had the day-to-day fog that comes in the newborn phase. I know, first-hand, the challenges that are faced by parents, particularly new mothers in political life. It was not easy, but it highlighted the urgent need for change. Had I stayed away from the Assembly, my vote would have been lost, and my constituents would not have been represented in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />There is a point to be made about some of the criticism — others might say "trolling" — that I received when I brought my baby to the Chamber.”
“Thank you, Minister, for this. I will be brief because I know that we do not have much time. I do not see anything written about the update on a mother-and-baby unit, which is absolutely essential to postnatal care, particularly for women who are experiencing psychological illness. Will you give us an update on that?”
“Will the junior Minister give us an update on when the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 will be updated?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answers so far. We have waited 10 years for the online careers portal, and progress on the 14-19 framework has been heavily criticised in a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on skills. What is the Minister planning to do to get that back on track?”
“26, Wee Joe, always with us", I think that more than one mind went to that boundless little man, who would have been cheering the loudest from the stands.”
“<BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the community. What I have seen over the past few months has been the best of rural community life. The Naomh Padraig and Carey Faughs GAC family did not let the Hegarty family walk a single inch of their journey from their home to the chapel to the grave alone. They walked every inch with them and have held them in that journey of grief ever since. <BR /> <BR />As the cup was raised on Saturday, I looked around and saw quite a few teary-eyed people who said that it was a win for wee Joe. I pay tribute to the community, to our parish priest, Father Con, who has supported us all throughout this horrendous time, and to the Carey hurlers. After they lifted the cup on Saturday afternoon, and unfurled the banner that read, "No.”
“<BR /> <BR />On August 16 this year, as the local MLA, I started to receive text messages and phone calls that something really bad had happened in Ballyvoy. I could not have prepared myself for the fact that, in a phone call, it was confirmed that the little boy who lost his life was a teammate and friend of my son. Wee Joe Hegarty had boundless enthusiasm. He was full of inquisitiveness, and fearless. As someone at his funeral said, five minutes after you met Joe, he knew you and you knew him. Having moved to Ballycastle a year ago, I can wholeheartedly say that. <BR /> <BR />You would be forgiven for thinking that it was just Joe's father, Michael, who was the coach of the young team when, actually, it was wee Joe as well. Never more has a team and community needed a win like they did on Saturday.”
“I congratulate Carey Faughs GAC on winning the intermediate hurling final on Saturday afternoon. First, though, I want to send commiserations. It was the beeziest pitch-side experience I have ever had, yesterday afternoon, when Dunloy faced Cushendall. I have been told to congratulate Cushendall on behalf of my colleague Danny Donnelly, but, obviously, I want to pay tribute to the North Antrim team of Dunloy first. <BR /> <BR />To prepare for a county final, you have to sacrifice nights with your family. There are days heading to the pitch when you would really rather just be in the house doing something, but you work so hard, and that moment is everything to the team. However, the win on Saturday was so much more for the community of Carey, and I just want to make a few comments as to why.”
“That is happening across Northern Ireland, so the solution is not just to build more houses. <BR /> <BR />Another barrier to addressing the crisis is the division that still exists in so many parts of Northern Ireland. Just this morning, I received a text message from my constituency office to say that a family turned up to paint their new house in an area of Ballymena only to be told, "You are not welcome here". They are having to give up the tenancy. We believe in shared housing and mixed-tenure developments, but, as we talked about in the previous debate, too many people are asserting control in communities, which is impacting right the way through. For me, that reflects straight back to paramilitarism and other issues.”
“Day and daily, we are seeing young people being moved into hostel accommodation or HMOs that are outside their rural area, where they would have some semblance of support. That is another important issue. <BR /> <BR />As my colleague said, the problem, particularly in rural areas, is about not just the number of homes but the infrastructure, or more accurately, the lack of it. The roads, the waste water systems and even the basic services that we need in order to build more homes are simply not there or are too outdated to support new developments. Again, that problem exists in some villages in my constituency, where developers are waiting on the sidelines, land has been acquired and they are not getting planning approval because of the waste water systems.”
“What I see is partly linked to our planning issues and the reticence of developers and our council planning committees to approve single lets and single-bed accommodation. That is a really big issue, and we need to look at the need versus what is being put out there. It is a question of need versus what is going to make money, in some respects. <BR /> <BR />The Housing Executive has been asked for a youth homelessness draft plan. We were supposed to get it in April 2024, and we will ask for it again. That will be an important step, but we need to ensure that it is implemented quickly and resourced. For me, this is also about rural areas, where young people often feel even more isolated and unsupported.”
“It is about planning and coordination. It is not acceptable that we are failing so many families, so many communities, and, from my point of view, so many young people who are particularly vulnerable. <BR /> <BR />One of the questions that is related to my point is this: where is our youth homelessness strategy and plan? We were promised it by April 2024, and still we are seeing rising numbers of young people presenting as homeless. In 2022-23, 2,186 young people aged 16 to 25 presented as homeless. The Housing Executive has recognised that —.”
“Why is it that so many of them find themselves struggling with unsuitable housing or even homelessness once they reach adulthood? At Committee, we heard of an 18-year-old who spent his birthday alone in a hotel room because he had to be removed from his care the day before. Those are the issues. <BR /> <BR />For me, when we look at a housing crisis, it is so multifaceted. It is not just about putting money into building new houses. There are ways in which we need to help people to sustain tenancies, and there are ways in which we need to give support to the communities that need it most. <BR /> <BR />What is missing, for me, is joined-up thinking right across Departments. Those with responsibility for health, housing, education and social services should all be working together to ensure seamless transitions into tenancies and placements.”
“They face unique challenges when they transition out of care at the age of 18. Far too many find themselves without the housing that they need to make that successful transition into adulthood. They have very specific issues that are not thought about, perhaps, when we look at the crises of homelessness and our housing system. <BR /> <BR />In 2023, there were 365 care leavers aged 16 to 18 in Northern Ireland. About 75% of them were in education, training or employment. However, because of the challenges that face them when transitioning out of care and holding down a successful tenancy, those young people are particularly vulnerable. That is so frustrating, because we all know when a young person in care will turn 18. It is not a surprise: we have their date of birth, and they are in the system.”
“I support the motion because it is clear, as others have said, that we are in a housing crisis. Whilst I agree with so much that was said across the Chamber today, I do not think that I can add much, particularly after my colleague and self-professed housing nerd, Kellie Armstrong, made some key points about how this is a multifaceted problem. The solution is not just a matter of throwing money at the problem and building houses. <BR /> <BR />I want to use a bit of time to shine a light on a group that is so often overlooked when we talk about housing and homelessness. I do not believe that I have heard anyone else speak about young people who have experience of care, who are acutely vulnerable to the housing crisis. Those young people are some of the most vulnerable in our society.”
“They should never have to consider the added worry of whether a hospice will be in a position to provide care for their dying child. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Children's Hospice brings dignity, compassion and comfort to those families in their most vulnerable moments, and it is our duty as public representatives to ensure that the hospice has the financial support that it needs to continue that vital work. I call on the Minister of Health to make that long-term sustainable funding a priority and a permanent commitment, not a temporary solution or sticking plaster. My party, for its part, will continue to push for comprehensive funding that will allow the hospice to focus on what matters most: caring for children and families, not fundraising.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the £85,000 cut from the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice's budget was reinstated for the rest of the financial year, the hospice faces significant financial pressure. Even with that core funding being guaranteed annually, it is not enough to meet the rising demand and costs. Without long-term, sustainable financial solutions, the hospice will continue to face the threat of cutting services, which no family relying on that care should ever have to hear about or worry about during that time. We cannot lose sight of the fact that behind the numbers that we are talking about are children and families who are already facing unimaginable challenges that no parent or child should ever have to face.”
“There is nowhere else in Northern Ireland for them to go. It requires an investment to continue its life-saving work. <BR /> <BR />If we look at how children's palliative care is funded in other regions where Governments have stepped up in some way to support those essential services, we see that, in the past two financial years, the Scottish Government have covered Children's Hospices Across Scotland for up to 30% of its costs and the year before that it was 41·6 %. In Wales, they covered almost 20%, and, in England, they covered over 30%. In Northern Ireland, it is less than 10%. Those examples show that children's hospices in Great Britain are recognised as a fundamental part of healthcare, not just as optional charitable services. Northern Ireland must adopt that approach, but we are not there yet.”
“The Government must take responsibility for ensuring that care is funded sustainably and consistently year after year. We propose that children's palliative care should be formally recognised as a core part of the Health and Social Care system with guaranteed funding that keeps pace with inflation so that the burden of fundraising does not fall on the hospice or the families who depend on it. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Children's Hospice receives £1·9 million in core funding from the Department of Health, alongside that one-time payment of £85,000, yet rising costs, particularly due to inflation, have not been matched by that funding. As a result, the reduction in the number of beds that it offers represents a heartbreaking reality for children and families who need the hospice most. The hospice is the only service of its kind.”
“I recognise the essential role that the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice plays in the lives of children with life-limiting conditions and the families who love and care for them. The hospice provides not only critical palliative care for those children but much-needed emotional and practical support for families navigating the most challenging circumstances, as my extended family, unfortunately, has had to know. <BR /> <BR />The service is not just vital; it is absolutely irreplaceable. We know, however, that the hospice faces enormous financial pressures driven by rising costs and inflation. It is deeply concerning that a service that provides such crucial care to our most vulnerable children has to rely on charitable donations to survive.”
“I thank the Minister. I am delighted that he is bringing jobs to the best of the Antrim constituencies — it is great to see — but I take on board some of the other comments. What length of contracts are we talking about? Are they fixed term? Are they permanent? Do you know whether they will be a mix of part-time, full-time and zero-hour contracts? Is there a breakdown of those jobs?”
“Minister, will you give us your assessment of the impact that short-term lets and the likes of unregulated holiday homes and Airbnbs will have on tourism, particularly along the north coast, where we have such a difficulty with our housing crisis?”
“Those services are vital in helping to prevent issues before they escalate; again, it is about nipping it in the bud before there is any escalation that requires intervention from social services. <BR /> <BR />Youth services for children in care, general youth services and family support are all essential elements of a compassionate and effective system. Families and children across Northern Ireland depend on us in the Chamber and you, Minister, to deliver those services. They cannot wait any longer, and nor should they.”
“Young people with care experience need access to services that are specifically tailored to their needs, services that provide stability, emotional support and guidance as they navigate the complexities of life without a stable family environment. We cannot allow those children to be left behind. <BR /> <BR />At the same time, we must address the gap in general youth services. There is an urgent need to provide structured supportive environments for all young people, not just those in care, so that they have a safe place where they can grow and develop.”
“We need a system that addresses the needs of children and families beyond those early years and ensures that no family is left behind due to postcode lotteries or geographical barriers, particularly in rural areas such as my constituency. We acknowledge the complexities involved in implementing that expansion, but the principle is clear and aligns with our guiding theme, which is that social services should be based on family support. <BR /> <BR />As we reflect on the challenges that children and families face across Northern Ireland, we must not lose sight of the crucial role that youth services play in preventing those crises. Youth services, especially those for care-experienced young people, such as Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC), must be a priority.”
“That is more about assistance than confrontation. As Jones noted, "stability and continuity" are essential. Families should not have to deal with multiple social workers. They need consistent support to build a trusting relationship, something that is sorely lacking with the constant churn in personnel. <BR /> <BR />As Mrs Dillon pointed out, recommendation 23 reminds us of the crucial role that early support programmes such as Sure Start play in keeping families together. My party believes strongly in the expansion of Sure Start to include children aged from four to 10. Family support should not be limited to children under three years of age.”
“Thank you. I will come on to Sure Start later. <BR /> <BR />The report called for cooperation between Departments and agencies to ensure that families do not fall through the cracks of a fragmented system. Sixteen months later, we are still waiting for that cooperation. We are still waiting for the early interventions across all Departments that can save families before they reach breaking point, and the lack of collaboration between agencies remains a significant barrier to delivering the effective and compassionate care that families so desperately need. That collaborative and supportive approach is key to creating a system that prioritises family welfare over crisis management. <BR /> <BR />Recommendation 4 called for:”
“We cannot continue to allow families to face the burden of poverty without providing them with the financial support that they need to care for their children. If we tackle poverty upstream, we reduce the need for social services' involvement downstream. <BR /> <BR />Ray Jones's report emphasised that doing "the basics well" is a crucial foundation of any successful intervention. That means being reliable and respectful, thereby maintaining the trust in our social services. Unfortunately, many families interact with the system only when a crisis is imminent or under way. That is a fundamental failure of our current approach.”
“I cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of frustration and disappointment. It is 16 months since the publication of the independent review of children's social care services — the same length of time that it took Ray Jones to gather his evidence and compile that thorough report — yet here we are discussing the same issues with little or no tangible progress. The review's findings and recommendations were clear and painted a distressing picture of a system that intervenes too late, failing to offer support until a family is in crisis. <BR /> <BR />Recommendation 2 emphasised the critical need to address child poverty through changes in our welfare system. Tackling poverty is an essential step in preventing children from being placed into care: we know that.”
“Does the Member agree that, so often, those amazing community and voluntary sector organisations have to plug the gaps where our statutory services fail?”
“With a budget that has remained stagnant over the past number of years, however, there is only so much that the Department can do. <BR /> <BR />I thank the signatories to the motion and those who tabled amendments. I assert my support for the farmers who make up a community that is so colourful and vibrant in North Antrim. Hopefully, more clarity and support will be forthcoming in the time ahead.”
“<BR /> <BR />As we move from the basic payment scheme to the farm sustainability payment in 2025, the Minister and our party have stressed that clarity is urgently needed. Without proper planning and information, like people in any other business in any other sector, farmers cannot make informed decisions for their businesses. Future payments must be index-linked to inflation. The £330 million allocated in 2020 should have increased to £390 million by 2023 to reflect rising costs. Farmers in my constituency face the rising costs of fuel, feed, medications and vaccinations, services and supplies, while their payments remain stagnant. We have heard that, without further investment from the Government, our farming communities will collapse.”
“Schemes such as the farm sustainability payment that is being rolled out under the Minister's leadership will hopefully ensure that stability. <BR /> <BR />While we are now eight years down the road from Brexit and some have forgotten about it, we cannot ignore the ongoing negative impact that it has. It continues to affect farmers across North Antrim and across Northern Ireland as a whole. Certain parties in the Chamber supported Brexit and now shy away from discussing the harm that it has caused directly to our rural communities, but Alliance has, in addressing that impact, been clear that the promises that were made during the Brexit campaign have not been fulfilled. Farm incomes in Northern Ireland have dropped by 46% in the past year alone. Post Brexit, small family farms face uncertainty as a result of that falling income.”
“He underlined Northern Ireland's role in UK food security, with 80% of the food that we produce being exported, with the majority of it going to Great Britain. Simply put, Northern Ireland's agri-food sector is absolutely vital to the food security of the UK as a whole. With £4·3 billion worth of exports annually, it is critical that any future settlement recognise that and the vital role that our farmers play in the economy. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has also acted swiftly to avoid the challenges that we have seen in other parts of the UK, such as the disastrous £358 million underspend of the UK's agriculture budget over the past three years. Pushing for that early clarity and for inflation-proof payments to prevent Northern Ireland's farmers from facing the same uncertainty and financial strain is absolutely vital.”
“With it set to expire, it is clear that future allocations must, at an absolute minimum, maintain current levels and, crucially, be uplifted for inflation to ensure that farmers can continue their vital work. Since coming into office, my party colleague Minister Andrew Muir has been proactive in his engagement with the UK Government on multiple occasions, fighting for the clarity and support for farmers that they so desperately need in this time of uncertainty. There may have been some criticisms, but he has been an unfaltering advocate for the farming community since coming into office. I have heard that consistently from people who have come into my office. <BR /> <BR />At his September meeting with UK Government officials, the Minister stressed the importance of early decisions on future funding.”
“I do not think that there is a Member in the Chamber who would deny the vital role that the agriculture sector plays in Northern Ireland. The farming and agri-sector is the backbone of my constituency of North Antrim. It sustains families through a wide-ripple network of connected sectoral businesses that are not often thought about when you think of farming. It adds so much to the local economy. Therefore, there is an onus on us all to ensure that it receives the support that it needs in these uncertain times, especially with the end of the basic payment scheme approaching and given the ongoing impacts of Brexit. <BR /> <BR />In recent months, concerns have been raised consistently in my constituency office about that impending end to the agricultural funding package.”
“Does the Minister agree that conducting a departmental audit of the financial implications of poverty would allow each Department to ascertain where future savings could made through investment in the alleviation of poverty? Will he consider carrying out such an audit of his Department?”
“The 6·4% increase in Supporting People funding in this Budget is obviously very welcome. The community and voluntary sector plays a huge role in supporting people who are living with homelessness, but it is under increasing pressure, with some providers working on monthly budgets. What can the Minister do to support the community and voluntary sector, particularly around the homelessness agenda, in the work that he wants to bring forward?”
“Thank you very much, Minister. As someone who lives in and represents a rural constituency, I was glad to hear the rural transport notion being picked up. What other engagement will the Minister have with rural communities to make sure that their issues are heard fully and understood by the Department in the transformation process?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. It is exciting to hear his plans for an attempt to balance the imbalance. The plan references the importance of city and growth deals for subregional economic development. Will the Minister detail his conversations with the UK Government on plans to lift the pause on the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal and the Mid South West growth deal?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and the Children's Law Centre have repeatedly voiced their concerns about a lack of meaningful progress in implementing the CSCA. We need a rights-based approach with the full incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into all areas of domestic law. That is something that Alliance has called for on multiple occasions. With those standards in place, young people will be more than just subjects; they will become co-designers of their communities and their services. Never has the phrase "Nothing about us without us" been more pertinent than when we discuss services for young people. The time for action is now, and I agree with the call on the Finance Minister to introduce the necessary regulations under the CSCA.”
“It really has the power to enable public authorities to share resources, pool funds and collaborate across their silos, but, thus far, we have failed to leverage the legislative framework to its fullest potential. It is nearly a decade since the Act was passed, and our services have remained fragmented, with many Departments not taking full advantage of the Act's provisions. <BR /> <BR />The recent Department of Education report on the Act was delayed by two years because of governmental disjointedness and there not being a Government here. That underscores the consequences of the failure. While there are occasional instances of great cooperation, like the Thrive project, which is coordinated by Barnardo's, they are far too rare. The reality is that Departments are not adequately aligning their resources or efforts.”
“Another key point is the lack of ability to pay for further services once the initial health service provision period has ended. Unfortunately, that usually coincides with the young patient only starting to get to the crux of the issues that they face. We need to address the root causes of poverty, and that falls to other Departments. I believe that it was the Member for West Belfast, Ms Flynn, who mentioned in the earlier debate that different Departments all had a part to play, not just a single Department. <BR /> <BR />I want to focus on something that I have been really passionate about raising since I became an MLA, which is the Children's Services Co-operation Act.”