Questions Time happens in the Assembly on those Mondays and Tuesdays on which the Assembly is sitting.
Minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry, discussed the impact of the closure of the school of modern languages at Ulster University during today’s Question Time. The Minister explained that the closure of the school was the result of budget cuts imposed on the Department. In making the decision on which courses to cut the… Continue Reading Question Time: Employment and Learning Monday 09 November 2015
Junior Minister Jennifer McCann discussed preparations for the arrival of Syrian refugees to Northern Ireland during today’s Question Time. A commitment has been made to welcome between 50 and 100 refugees by December under the vulnerable persons relocation scheme, with the intention of welcoming further groups on a phased basis. Ms McCann added “By taking… Continue Reading Question Time: Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister Monday 09 November 2015
Minister of Education, John O’Dowd, was asked for his assessment of post-primary transfer arrangements for year 7 pupils during today’s Question Time. The Minister revealed that of the 21,000 pupils transferred from primary to post-primary schools in September 2015, 99.4% of pupils were placed in a school of their choice, with 86.7% being admitted to… Continue Reading Question Time: Education Tuesday 03 November 2015
Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Caral ni Chuilin, discussed funding cuts made to the Arts Council during today’s Question Time. The Minister described the cuts to the block grant from the British Government and the resultant financial strain on the Department. Fearghal McKinney MLA highlighted the protest against the cuts which took place outside Parliament… Continue Reading Question Time: Culture, Arts and Leisure Tuesday 03 November 2015
John Dallat MLA asked Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey, for an update on the number of applications for disabled facilities grants during today’s Question Time. The disabled facilities grant has a significant impact on the lives of those living with a disability in the private sector, helping them make adaptations to their homes. In 2014-15,… Continue Reading Question Time: Social Development Monday 02 November 2015
Justice Minister, David Ford, described the impact of drugs and alcohol on his Department during today’s Question Time. The Minister exclaimed “I have no doubt that substance misuse has an impact on expenditure in my Department, the Executive and the wider public sector” adding that research has shown that the impact of alcohol alone has… Continue Reading Question Time: Justice Tuesday 20 October 2015
Roy Beggs MLA asked acting First Minister, Arlene Foster, for an update on the outstanding issues within the Stormont House Agreement during today’s Question Time. Mrs Foster described the Stormont House Agreement as “a fundamental part of the current talks process” but was however unwilling to comment on current progress as talks are still ongoing.… Continue Reading Question Time: Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister 19 October 2015
Environment Minister, Mark Durkan, discussed climate change priorities ahead of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference during today’s Question Time. TheIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) fifth assessment report highlights the dramatic changes to our climate and their causes. The Minister will be attending the Conference of Parties 21 (COP21) as part of the… Continue Reading Question Time: Environment 13 October 2015
Finance Minister, Arlene Foster, provided an update on the inescapable financial pressures facing the Executive during today’s Question Time. The Minister revealed that “Departments have registered pressures in the June monitoring round of £234.6m on resource departmental expenditure limits (DEL) and £327.1m on capital DEL. A recent high-level assessment by my officials indicates that over… Continue Reading Question Time: Finance and Personnel 13 October 2015
Employment and learning Minister, Stephen Farry, discussed proposed course closures and job losses at the Coleraine campus of the Ulster University during today’s Question Time. While the Department sets funding and the strategic direction for the Higher Education sector, universities are autonomous and responsible for how their budget is deployed including course provision and staffing… Continue Reading Question Time: Employment and Learning Monday 12 October 2015