Questions Time happens in the Assembly on those Mondays and Tuesdays on which the Assembly is sitting.
Social Development Minister, Mervyn Storey, provided his assessment of the current process for allocating social housing during today’s Question Time. The current selection scheme has been in place since 2000 but the preceding Social Development Minister decided a fundamental review was in order and has now been taken forward by the Department in close discussion… Continue Reading Question Time: Social Development Monday 23 November 2015
First Minister Peter Robinson received a standing ovation following his last Question Time before retiring. During his final Question Time as First Minister, Mr Robinson provided the House with an update on the racial equality strategy 2014-2024. Following the 16 week public consultation phase which generated much debate, the strategy was revised to take the… Continue Reading Question Time: Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister Monday 23 November 2015
The Regional Development Minister, Miss Michelle McIlveen was asked for an update on the Belfast rapid transit system, the Minister stated “I am fully committed to the delivery of Belfast rapid transit, including not only the current phase, which connects east Belfast, west Belfast and Titanic Quarter via the city centre, but future extensions to… Continue Reading Question Time – Regional Development – Tuesday 17 November 2015
Oral Questions to the Justice Minister began with questions from Mr Lynch MLA, Mr Allister MLA and Mc D McIlveen asking the Minister to outline how his Department plans to address the findings of the recent published Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland’s inspection report on an unannounced inspection of Maghaberry prison 11-22 May 2015. The… Continue Reading Question Time – Justice – Tuesday 17 November 2015
Health Minister, Mr Simon Hamilton began Oral Question Time by answering Ms Maeve McLaughlin, Mr Peter Weir and Mr Adrian McQuillan’s concerns regarding the Ministers plans in reforming the health service. The Minister stated that ” there are simply too many layers of administration in our system, which are making it difficult to meet those… Continue Reading Question Time: Health, Social Services and Public Safety Monday 16 November 2015
Minister of the Environment, Mark Durkan, outlined the actions he will be taking to increase road safety and address the rising numbers of fatalities and serious injuries on local roads during today’s Question Time. Mr Durkan described the number of road deaths in 2015 as “a serious concern”. So far 61 people have died, compared… Continue Reading Question Time: Environment Tuesday 10 November 2015
In response to a question from Lord Morrow, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Jonathan Bell described how he plans to create jobs in Northern Ireland over the next five years. Mr Bell said “the Executive’s economic strategy sets out an overarching goal to 2030 to improve the economic competitiveness of the economy through a… Continue Reading Question Time: Enterprise, Trade and Investment Tuesday 10 November 2015
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