Conor Murphy
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“More detailed consultations with individual childcare providers and parents are taking place this month and into February. The group agreed that the research would conclude in March 2025. The work is on schedule; there has been no delay. Childcare is an excellent example of various Departments coming together to deliver for our people.”
“The Bill looks at the issue of flexible working, but at every meeting that we have had with employers, we have made a point of talking to them about the need for them to be flexible, particularly in relation to women who are returning to the workforce, and to offer people arrangements that entice them back to the workforce and give them t…”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion. <BR /> <BR />Although the Department of Education leads on childcare, it is a priority for the Executive as a whole. When setting the Budget for this financial year, the Executive earmarked an additional £25 million for childcare.”
“As a matter of fact, I publicly launched the scheme and the courses in the Met last summer. My officials are also working with our six further education colleges to develop childcare microcourses for future delivery. <BR /> <BR />I also offered to assist Minister Givan's Department as required.”
“The group identified the need to better understand the business models for childcare, what type of support is needed to ensure the sector's financial viability and how support should be targeted. Given my Department's business expertise, we volunteered to take that work forward.”
“No tensions or obstacles have been placed in the way of any of that work, and I hope that that continues to be the case, because the issues are much more important than party political exchanges across the Chamber. We will continue to work in that manner.”
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“At the joint meeting that I had with them, we did not get down to individual campuses, but I have had discussions. I met the Member's party leader in relation to the Castlereagh campus. I have had correspondence and issues raised with me by other elected representatives. I had the pleasure of visiting the college in the Member's constituency and chatting to the principal and senior staff there. We want to make sure that the system works well. There is a good offering there. There are very good facilities that are well located.”
“As I said in a previous answer, they have a good estate and a very good system, and we want to make sure that they are fully utilised. Currently, they are not fully utilised, so any reform that we bring to the fore will be about how we fully utilise those and make sure that colleges act most efficiently and deliver for the economy and for society.”
“The first priority when I came into office was to get the lecturers' pay issues resolved. I am glad that we were able to get that done. I have had a meeting with the principals of the colleges, and we will continue to bring that reform work forward. We want to make sure that we have a system that recognises the unique product of each college, their autonomy and the communities that they serve in a regional way across the North. We also want to make sure that it is coherent and cohesive and tackles some of the big issues that we have identified as problems within the economy, primarily skills and getting young people into education, offering pathways to people who have been out of the education or training system. The colleges are uniquely placed to do that.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is a drop-off. I am advised that we have the lowest numbers of that age cohort since the 1950s. That could explain some of the drop-off in college numbers. Nevertheless, we have a very good college estate and further education sector, and I want to see them fully utilised. We have a real challenge in getting people and skills into the workforce. The college sector is vital in delivering that. I have had discussions with it about that, and I want to make sure, in our joint work with the Education Department and that forum, that the entire system works in a complementary fashion rather than in a competitive one.”
“There may be a perception that universities are moving into that space at the expense of colleges. I think that work has been done to establish that that is not necessarily the case. We need to make sure, in a system in which we have very little money to spend — that is why the work between ourselves and the Department of Education across all these matters is important — that we use the resources that we have as best as we possibly can. The responsibility on us as Executive Ministers is to make sure that the system works for education for not just young people but, in terms of the public finances needed to run it, as seamlessly as possible so that we do not get duplication or contradiction but the most complementary system possible. That is why a forum such as this, and the joint work by both Departments, is important.”
“The forum's core purpose is to foster greater collaboration among all those involved in education post compulsory school age and to help move towards a more coherent tertiary education sector.”
“I agree that our universities and colleges should work collaboratively to deliver the best outcomes for learners. It is also important to recognise that schools and community-based providers play an important role in ensuring a joined-up and effective education sector. In order to ensure that colleges and universities in particular work together in a complementary and not competitive manner, the tertiary education senior leaders' forum has been established. It provides a place for senior leaders from my Department, the Department of Education, further education colleges and higher education institutions to come together to consider strategic matters of common interest, including qualifications.”
“The high street task force, which is responsible for a lot of those matters, is led by another Department, and the Department for the Economy makes a contribution to it. We are keen to work with all Departments to help the high street, particularly in areas that have been unexpectedly damaged. High streets are struggling in general with the economic conditions that we have, and Newry and Downpatrick in particular received a serious blow last autumn. While my primary focus is to make sure that councils deliver funding support for those affected by flooding, on the work of the high street task force in a broader sense, all Departments have a duty to try to understand the challenges facing our high streets and to provide cross-departmental support wherever we can.”
“As I mentioned, we are working with Invest NI and the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) to develop the net zero accelerator fund. It is intended to be a catalyst for attracting and complementing private investment in the green economy. We are also working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to establish the enhanced investment zone, which, as I said, is a fund of £150 million. We are in the process of co-designing that project for the North alongside the Department in London. Other available funding sources include the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF), PEACE PLUS and the Shared Island Fund (SIF), and it is important that businesses leverage that broader funding landscape, with a focus on reducing emissions and growing the green economy.”
“We will work on all those areas to make sure not only that we create and improve jobs but that we reduce the costs to consumers and businesses.”
“We live in a country that is high in wind resource and other sources of renewable energy, so we need to make sure that we get to a situation in which that can benefit business consumers and household consumers, thereby reducing our energy costs and the necessity to rely on fossil fuels and on an insecure demand, which tends to fluctuate. <BR /> <BR />Our opportunity to promote renewable electricity and renewable heat will benefit consumers and businesses alike. We have identified the £40 million that I have dedicated out of the Department and that £150 million, and we will continue to work on other areas, including the use of financial transactions capital (FTC) to support the net zero accelerator fund.”
“As I said, the primary focus of that programme is the energy efficiency support grant. In the region of 600 applications have been received, a couple of hundred of which have already been processed. That scheme only opened in May, so you can see that there is a wide range of interest in it. <BR /> <BR />We also are engaging with the British Government on the investment zone, and we have already indicated that we would like to see the £150 million earmarked for that spent on green technology and green industry. We have an opportunity, if we harness it correctly, not only to create jobs and support innovation, thus creating new and better jobs, but to work on the areas of renewable energy.”
“I recognise the need to assist businesses to meet our climate change targets. My Department is working with Invest NI to deliver financial support for businesses through a new scaled phase of its energy and resource efficiency programme. The main part of that programme is the energy efficiency capital grant scheme, which was announced in early May and is open for applications across a wide range of businesses that meet the scheme criteria. I have committed £40 million to the scheme, which will run until 2030, providing essential support for businesses to reduce emissions while also creating economic opportunities in the green economy.”
“We want that to be, if you like, a pathfinder to get that joint area of work up and running between the two Departments, which will be essential for young people. We are keen to develop that early and to push on with the rest of that agenda. We will be happy to keep you and the Committees updated on any progress.”
“A report was published, I believe, when the Assembly was down, from which flowed an implementation plan. I think that that is what the Member is referring to. That was used for internal guidance for officials on how they brought that work forward. I understand that there were no plans to publish that, but I am sure, given that the officials came before both Committees, that they are keen to engage and to ensure that the Committees and, indeed, the Ministers who have tasked them with that area of joint responsibility are kept up to date on the progress that they are making. <BR /> <BR />We have been clear that we want to begin with careers. We want to ensure that careers advice is available to all young people in a consistent manner.”
“The 14-19 framework is a joint endeavour between my Department and the Department of Education. The Minister of Education and I have met to discuss our approach to the work and our shared priorities, taking account of the current education and skills environment. As a first step, we have prioritised careers as a priority area for delivery and have tasked officials from our Departments to produce a joint programme of work. That indicates our commitment to collaboration in the interests of young people. On the wider framework, the Minister of Education and I will be considering how best to prioritise the other elements of the framework, building on that collaborative approach and using insights from stakeholders on the ground.”
“Of course, councils have a responsibility to protect public funding and make sure that funds are distributed appropriately. I would also like to ensure, however, that there is a degree of flexibility. At the outset of our engagement with the councils, we asked them to apply a degree of flexibility to ensure that they understand the real challenges that businesses have suffered as a consequence of the flooding incidents in Newry, Downpatrick and other places last October and that they approach the matter in a can-do way to make sure that they support businesses as best they can. <BR /> <BR />There is a requirement on businesses to provide evidence of loss and damage, and I hope that they can quickly get down to that. We want to see support getting out as quickly as possible to all the businesses that were affected.”
“Like the Member, I represent one of the areas where flooding occurred, so I know of the urgency of getting funding out to businesses. I hope that councils can make every effort to ensure that that happens quickly. I understand that there is a complex process of assessment and verification and a need to protect public funds. Ten million pounds was set aside for support. We hope to see as much of that as possible distributed within a short time. If there is anything left over, we will certainly examine ways in which we can continue to support businesses in the affected areas.”
“Local councils are responsible for making payments under the flood relief schemes funded by the Department for the Economy. There were 108 applications to the enhanced flood scheme across two councils. As of 3 June, the councils have issued letters of offer to 27 businesses, with a value of £1·601 million. To date, payments of £310,000 have been made to 22 businesses. Further payments will be made to businesses on receipt of a signed letter of offer and any required documentation to evidence costs. <BR /> <BR />There was a total of 82 applications to the flood hardship scheme across four councils. As of 3 June, hardship grants totalling £135,000 had been paid to 39 businesses.”
“A range of social media activities alongside continued engagement with key stakeholders will be monitored, and the marketing approach will be adapted to ensure that all business groups are informed of the opportunities that the grant presents.”
“I thank the Member. I want to record my gratitude to my colleague Deirdre Hargey for stepping up in my absence and keeping momentum going in the Department. <BR /> <BR />On the question of regional balance for this scheme in particular, Invest NI will use the portal and closely monitor the enquiries and applications that are being received and approved across the region. That includes capturing and tracking live data on the geographical spread by council area and industry group. That data is fundamental for my Department to monitor and ensure that there is a better spatial and functional distribution of the grant across the region. Furthermore, Invest NI has a dedicated marketing plan for the EECG that can be tailored to meet local business needs, with a built-in flexible approach that will address any regional imbalances.”
“Additionally, in the spirit of continual improvement, formal reviews of the scheme's progress after the first six months and at 12-month intervals thereafter have been built into the approval process, whereby all aspects of the enquiry, eligibility and application process will be reviewed and evaluated.”
“The energy efficiency capital grant was announced in early May and is open for applications across a wide range of businesses. The grant is aimed at helping businesses to reduce emissions and lower their energy demands through the installation of energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies. The application process is managed through an online digital portal that facilitates live tracking of enquiries and applications. Invest NI will report monthly on the scheme to my Department to help us to understand how delivery is progressing against policy objectives.”
“The key point is that we need to get a policy document on the back of the consultation, which has just closed, and we need to get that to the Executive and, in effect, take the decision and follow through with legislation at the earliest possible time.”
“The amendment looks for that to happen earlier than is possible for us, but let us hope that we can make progress as quickly as possible, as I said.”
“We then need to follow through with legislation. In effect, the legislation will enforce the action that we will already have taken. That is why trying to shoehorn legislation into this calendar year, as opposed to letting it be done properly, is, as I say, probably not the most important consideration. Putting the moratorium in place by getting the policy decision taken and following that through with legislation is, for me, the important matter in all this. <BR /> <BR />I record my strong support for the motion and for a just transition to a greener economy that focuses on renewable energy and protects our environment. I look forward to legislating to enact a ban on all forms of onshore petroleum exploration and production.”
“The ambition on that side of the border is the same as it is on this side, which is to put ourselves in a space where we are self-sufficient and perhaps even an exporter. In that sense, I hope that connectivity with France or with Wales or Scotland would mean a channel going from here to there rather than the other way round. <BR /> <BR />Danny Donnelly raised a point about the gas caverns. I am told that those have the potential to store renewable gases such as hydrogen. I know that the debate on that goes on in East Antrim, and I am keen to see it roll on. <BR /> <BR />John Blair raised a point about immediate action being required. The moment that the Executive approve the policy document that I intend to bring forward in the not-too-distant future is the time for immediate action on a moratorium.”
“I say to him that fixed and floating turbines for tidal are under consideration as part of the offshore renewable energy action plan and that my officials are leading on that. While tidal is yet to be developed in a way that can produce the things that we would like, it is nonetheless still under active consideration, as, I am sure, he will be glad to know. <BR /> <BR />Steve Aiken talked about grid connections and a joined-up system for electricity infrastructure. I had a conversation about that with my colleague Eamon Ryan when we were at the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) plenary, and we intend to meet in the next couple of weeks to develop that conversation further, because there is a realisation that the system has to be there in order to support what we want to do on renewables.”
“The funding for 2024-25 is already available through NISEP, which the Utility Regulator operates, but we are, obviously, looking at other issues. <BR /> <BR />David Honeyford and Danny Donnelly raised planning issues. I absolutely get it that movement in all these areas requires joined-up processes. As I said during Question Time, where we find bottlenecks in the system, we have to make sure that one part of government does not contradict what another is doing. I am happy to talk to my colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to make sure that we move together on issues that are of critical importance to us. <BR /> <BR />Mike Nesbitt talked about tidal energy, and interesting debate ensued.”
“To be honest, it would be helpful if the people who tabled the amendments gave examples of when they held ministerial office and were able to turn such things around within that type of time frame. Otherwise, it is just a bit of grandstanding, as far as I am concerned. I am not overly exercised about it. If we can do it within this year, happy days, we will do that, but I have been here a long time, and I have no memory of the party that tabled the amendment doing things in that superfast way when it ran Departments. Maybe it is just setting a higher standard for the rest of us because it has more faith in us, but that remains to be seen. <BR /> <BR />Phillip Brett mentioned household support schemes. We will consult in the coming weeks on a proposed funding scheme for low-carbon heat.”
“In the meantime, my Department will not accept or process onshore petroleum licensing applications. <BR /> <BR />I will turn to some of the points that were raised in the debate. I thank Members for contributing to it. I am sure that the proposer of the motion will address the issue that was raised in the amendment. The consultation closed about two weeks ago. We have to develop a policy and bring it to the Executive for approval. That would immediately introduce a moratorium from the Department in dealing with any of the issues, and we then have to devise legislation and bring it through. If that can be done this year, that is grand — I would be happy to move on it sooner — but, every time we propose doing something, an amendment is tabled that says, "You must do it quicker".”
“First, if it is a planning application, it is a matter for the Department for Infrastructure. Secondly, if it is the same issue as the one that, I think, the Member is raising, that is being decided by the council in relation to the application. <BR /> <BR />As I was saying, it is time for us to act, and I intend to ban all forms of petroleum exploration and production, including fracking. That will help us to transition from fossil fuels to renewables. I will soon ask Executive colleagues to approve a ban, and, if that is granted, I will introduce legislation to the Assembly to ban onshore petroleum licensing. It will require amendments to the Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 and other regulations. The time involved in developing the legislation means that it will be introduced in 2025.”
“The South of Ireland and Wales have recently banned all onshore petroleum activity, and Scotland has taken a decision on hydraulic fracturing, known as "fracking".”
“By developing local sources of energy, we have the opportunity to break the link with global commodity prices and become price-makers rather than price-takers. <BR /> <BR />In meeting our net zero targets, a key priority is to move from petroleum to renewables. The Department for the Economy has the power to grant licences to companies to search for and extract onshore oil and gas. My Department recently consulted on the petroleum licensing system. The consultation opened on 15 January and closed on 12 April. Research carried out as part of the review found that the positive economic impacts are limited and the negative environmental and social impacts are potentially severe, depending on how much petroleum activity takes place. The vast majority of respondents to the consultation supported the move away from fossil fuels.”
“Due to our large agriculture sector, we also have the potential to use biomethane to support our pathway to net zero and, at the same time, contribute to regional balance. <BR /> <BR />The energy efficiency capital grant opens today. It will help local businesses to reduce costs and build resilience through energy efficiency. Businesses can now apply for a grant to buy and install energy-efficient equipment, including, in certain cases, solar panels. That will help to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions. <BR /> <BR />In addition to the environmental impacts, the past few years have shown us the economic risk that we run by continuing to rely on fossil fuels. The cost-of-living crisis has largely been driven by increased energy costs, leading to higher bills and increased prices across the board.”
“<BR /> <BR />Here, in the Stormont estate, my Department is beginning a geothermal demonstrator project to use the heat beneath our feet. That project, along with another demonstrator in County Antrim, will give us vital information about how to decarbonise the heat sector. We have an abundance of wind on this island. My Department is working to maximise the potential of onshore and offshore with a renewable electricity support scheme. The scheme will incentivise investment in larger renewable electricity projects, guarantee fair pricing for locally produced electricity and encourage a diverse range of renewable resources for secure energy supply. Therefore, the scheme is an important part of meeting the 2030 legislative target of 80% electricity consumption from renewables.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak about this important issue. Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and moving away from fossil fuels will be a vital part of the transition towards a greener economy and a more sustainable way of life. Reducing carbon emissions is one of my four key objectives. Reaching net zero by 2050 is both a legal requirement and a moral obligation to the well-being of future generations. I want to see a just transition to net zero meaning that it is used as an opportunity to create a more equal society. Our wealth of national resources such as wind, biomethane and geothermal enables us to become self-sufficient in and even an exporter of affordable renewable energy. Work is ongoing to use those resources to our advantage.”
“Costings have been done, but they need to be bottomed out. Part of the paper that we brought to the Executive will do that. The Executive need to be agreeable to bringing the scheme to a close, and we will then put that forward. We have no doubt that it will be a matter of some debate and discussion. We have a sense of the cost. Bear in mind that the scheme was funded through annually managed expenditure (AME); it was not funded through our block grant. We have a sense of the cost to close down the scheme over a number of years while ensuring that those in the scheme are treated fairly. We also have a sense of what we are missing out on, in that we could be spending on schemes that would contribute to net zero.”
“The Member will be aware that a previous Executive committed, as part of an agreement, to closing the RHI scheme. I have put forward proposals to the Executive to do just that. I hope that the Executive will deal with that in the not-too-distant future. We have a situation where the scheme is not delivering its intended outcomes in carbon reduction. As I said, there was an agreement among the parties to close the scheme. I hoped that that would be done in a previous mandate, but it has now landed with me to clear up that particular mess. My intention — I have already brought this matter to the Executive's attention — is to close the scheme, consult on the best way forward to do that and try to get access to the funding that we have missed out on over the years to get better schemes in place.”
“At a time when we do not have sufficient people in the workforce, it will be vital to get young people in and give them the skills and sufficient support to make them want to stay and continue to work in a business.”
“The Member correctly identifies that not only are those good jobs and good skills to have but that they are transferable, wherever you go. We are also now in a situation in which people cannot get apprentices or skilled workers, such as people with construction skills and a whole range of others. There is a greater sense from employers — we need to keep encouraging this — that they value young people whom they bring in. Everybody whom we speak to is very keen to get young people into their workplace across all ranges of business and to give them the skills that they need in order to work in their business. There needs to be an understanding. Certain industries, or certain sectors of industries, should not think that apprentices are just a source of cheap employment.”
“We are not convinced that, in all schools, young people are told about the possibility of apprenticeships or of getting qualifications that are equivalent to degrees but that allow people to earn while they learn. Those are great options for young people. <BR /> <BR />Where we can get additional resources to provide additional courses — there are already quite a few — we will do that. We certainly want to make sure that people from a young age, and their parents, are fully aware of the range of options that are available to them. That is the piece of work that the Education Minister and I have agreed to undertake together.”
“There is a range of programmes that deal with apprenticeships. They are critical. As I said in response to one of your colleagues, when you go internationally in particular, you hear people saying that the attraction of here is the people and the skills. We need to ensure that we have sufficient skills. We used European funding for programmes to bring people into, and back into, the workforce, but Whitehall has not fully replaced that. We need to try to do more in that area. <BR /> <BR />I think that I said in response to an earlier question that the job of work that the Education Minister and I have agreed to do together is to ensure that young people understand the range of options that are available to them.”
“They are also managed well in the South; I am sure that you are familiar with a lot of the tours in Dublin that go around sites of conflict there. They are important attractions. There is a greater curiosity among international visitors about the history and culture of places, as well as about the sense of place. We need to do all that we can to promote those tours.”
“Local political and cultural tours are opportunities to bring tourism benefits, including those from tourism spend, into areas that have not necessarily had a peace dividend. Things like the black taxi tours on the Falls and the Shankill are, I think, the second-biggest attraction in Belfast, without having been seriously promoted. I am sure that, in Derry, the experience of the walls and the Museum of Free Derry could be better promoted as well. As I said, those have brought jobs and income into areas that have not benefited in the past. <BR /> <BR />We will absolutely look at that as part of the strategy. I get all the sensitivities around political and cultural tours, but they are an area of interest for people who come here. They are managed well in other parts of the world.”
“I have already had conversations with officials. A piece of work is already agreed and funded by the Shared Island Fund to consider linkages in relation to the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coast. There is scope for looking at the other major brands, Ireland's Ancient East and the Hidden Heartlands. We are in a conversation about those, and I hope to see some movement there. Of course, we also want to make sure that we talk to people on the ground. There has been a clamour for some of those larger brands to be available. In that, then, we lift not only the level of offering but the understanding of the attraction at national and international level.”
“A large brand attracts people. They become interested in the overall attraction — it might be the Wild Atlantic Way, which runs the full length of the west coast — and then, when people are interested in going there because of the large brand, you get into the local sectoral offer and what is available. That is what attracts any of us who plan a holiday. You look at an area that you might want to go to, and then you look for specific things. Therefore, it is about a mixture of having big brands, which have significant attraction, can be promoted internationally and get international visitors here, and ensuring that, at local level, we promote all the various attractions that we have. The council area that we both live in has no shortage of attractions for people to come and see, from the island of Ireland locally or internationally.”
“We also had discussions about the Hidden Heartlands brand that could come up into Fermanagh and Omagh. I know that they are very keen in that area about that. Of course, in the area that the Member and I both represent, Ireland's Ancient East does not stop at Carlingford lough. The attraction and the central theme of that extends very much into counties Armagh and Down and perhaps beyond into Antrim. <BR /> <BR />There is a lot of work that we can do. I had engagement with tour operators, when I was in the United States, to encourage them to come here, know more about the place and make sure that Tourism Ireland works for them. Since I came into office, I have been to many events to offer support to the tourism sector. We continue to do that because, as the Member said, so much is as yet untapped.”
“I agree with the Member that we could do much more. Some 70% of people employed in the tourism industry are outside Belfast, so support for it certainly adds to regional balance. A consultation document was out, and there has been a lot of feedback on that. We are now setting up a tourism implementation group, which will involve people from tourism, hospitality and other sectors to make sure that we target whatever limited resources we have in the most effective way. <BR /> <BR />I have also been in discussion with the various tourism agencies and with Minister Catherine Martin in the South about the tourism brands that have been very successful. A piece of work has been paid for out of the Shared Island Fund in relation to the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway coast.”
“Yes. I am more than happy to meet the Minister for Communities, as we have a shared interest in the matter. When we talk to people abroad and here, the big attraction for investment is the people and their skills. That is the number-one attraction that people refer to. Our biggest challenge is getting more people and more skills because of the way that that support has been removed from European funding into direct Whitehall funding on a competition basis. Of course we want to fix that. I am very happy to work with the Department for Communities. I know of its interest. If we can put pressure jointly on Whitehall to deliver the goods in that area, we will do that, I am sure. We will also see what we can do ourselves to try to support the groups that are providing that vital service.”