https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/ An independent tracker of the questions asked by Naomi Long, Alliance Party MLA for East Belfast, in the Northern Ireland Assembly – with answers, search, filters and downloads. en-gb Tue, 20 Oct 2026 01:44:51 GMT https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/288312/ 288312-answered Tue, 17 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on legacy inquests. Answer (17 January 2017): I remain committed to securing appropriate funding to ensure legacy inquests can be completed in line with the Lord Chief Justice’s five year plan. Some progress is being made on addressing the backlog of cases with the limited resources that my Department has been able to make available in the current year. I am hopeful that eight of the 56 legacy inquest cases will be closed in this financial year. However, significant additional resources will be required to complete the remaining cases. Progressing the Lord Chief Justice’s five year plan, with its associated reforms, is wholly… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/277385/ 277385-answered Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the role of European Union migrant workers in the local economy following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. Answer (10 January 2017): Our assessment of the role of migrant workers from the EU and elsewhere is set out in our letter of 10 August to the Prime Minister. It is critical to our economy that both domestic and Foreign Direct Investment ventures retain their competiveness and do not incur additional costs. Access to labour, skilled and unskilled, is not only essential to our growing private sector, but to the public sector, who are also heavily dependent on EU and other migrant labour to meet demands. We acknowledge and value the continuing positive contribution of minority ethnic people and migrant workers, not… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/286064/ 286064-answered Wed, 21 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether she has given consideration to the continued need for dog licences in Northern Ireland. Answer (21 December 2016): The current system of licensing was introduced in 1983 by the Dogs (NI) Order 1983 (‘the Dogs Order’). The aim of the licence is to provide a means of identifying dogs and their owners and to allow this information to be updated on an annual basis. Most importantly, and unlike in the rest of the UK, the dog licence provides income for councils for the specific purposes of enforcing the legislation. The Assembly has considered the licensing system on a number of occasions in recent years. In particular, during scrutiny of The Dogs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, the issue of the… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/283428/ 283428-answered Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail how much money has been spent on the Regeneration Bill to date. Answer (13 December 2016): The team responsible for the Regeneration Bill were also responsible for other regeneration and legislative activities which they continue to carry out. Therefore, it is not possible to accurately disaggregate the costs specifically associated with the Bill. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/283492/ 283492-answered Tue, 06 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Finance To ask the Minister of Finance to outline the consideration given to the introduction of protections for those on fixed or low incomes, in light of proposals to remove the rates cap for properties valued at £400k and above. Answer (6 December 2016): The low income rate relief scheme provides considerable protection in the case of, for example, an elderly pensioner living alone in the family home. That scheme can allow receipt of relief even in cases where the ratepayer has up to £50,000 in capital. There is also the Lone Pensioner Allowance that provides an automatic 20% discount to ratepayers who are aged 70 or over and live alone. That scheme, which is not means tested, is also likely to support people in this position. As advised during my statement to the Assembly on 22 November, I plan to lift the cap only in respect of the… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/284205/ 284205-answered Thu, 01 Dec 2016 12:00:00 GMT Northern Ireland Assembly Commission To ask the Assembly Commission whether it encountered any difficulties in implementing the sections of the Independent Financial Review Panel’s 2016 determination relating to Members’ staff. Answer (1 December 2016): Members will be aware that the March 2016 Determination was published by the Independent Financial Review Panel on 23 March 2016 for implementation on 1 April 2016. However, many of its provisions only became effective from 6 May 2016. The 2016 Determination introduced radical changes to the financial support framework for Members especially regarding terms and conditions for Members’ support staff and the rental of premises for use as a constituency office. The employment of support staff is a matter for individual Members as the employer of those staff. The Commission’s role is an… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/279539/ 279539-answered Mon, 28 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of red flag referrals from GPs for suspected ovarian cancer over the last six months; and the number that did not meet the target waiting time of two weeks, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust. Answer (28 November 2016): My Department’s target for red flag GP referrals to be seen within 14 days refers to those for breast cancer only. However, the target waiting time for all cancer states that, “at least 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspected cancer, should begin their first definitive treatment within 62 days.” The number of red flag referrals for suspected ovarian cancer is not available. However, between January and June 2016, 22 patients commenced treatment for ovarian cancer following an urgent GP referral for suspected cancer, with five of those patients waiting longer than 62 days for their… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278925/ 278925-answered Fri, 25 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health what percentage of red flag referrals for suspected ovarian cancer from GPs in the last six months were seen within the two week target waiting time, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust. Answer (25 November 2016): The target for red flag/urgent GP referrals to be seen within 14 days is for breast cancer only. Whilst there is not a specific 14 day target for ovarian cancer, I can advise that the average waiting time from urgent GP referral for suspected cancer until first seen, for those patients first treated for ovarian cancer between 1st January 2016 and 30th June 2016 was 11.3 days in the Belfast HSC Trust, 12.7 days in the Northern HSC Trust, 16.3 days in the South Eastern HSC Trust, 11.3 days in the Southern HSC Trust and 10.4 days in the Western HSC Trust. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/275120/ 275120-answered Fri, 25 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health when the 1 per cent payrise will start being paid to staff; and which Health and Social Care staff will receive this increase. Answer (25 November 2016): It is anticipated that Health and Social Care staff will start to see the 1 per cent uplift, effective from 1 April 2016, in their November 2016 salary. This pay award affects the pay rates of all Agenda for Change staff and those of hospital medical and dental staff, doctors and dentists in public health, the community health service, salaried primary dental care and salaried general practitioners. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276799/ 276799-answered Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health how her Department is supporting the delivery of music therapy to older people. Answer (24 November 2016): My Department does not provide funding specifically for music therapy for older people. However, the Health and Social Care Board and Public Health Agency fund a number of initiatives within the arts field, which includes activities involving music for older people. The Health and Social Care Board fund Arts Care NI (£240k) to deliver a wide range of art activities and interventions for all groups, including performance and participation in music. These services are delivered across the five Health and Social Care Trusts in a range of health and social care settings, and clients include older… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/279261/ 279261-answered Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the average waiting time for red flag referrals from GPs, for suspected ovarian cancer, to (i) first appointment with their consultant; and (ii) access diagnostic scans and tests, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust over the last six months. Answer (23 November 2016): (i) The table below details the average waiting times for red flag GP referrals, for those patients first treated for suspected ovarian cancer between January and June 2016. Information is provided by the HSC Trust where the patient was first seen by a Consultant. Average wait (days) Belfast 11.3 Northern 12.7 S. Eastern 16.3 Southern 11.3 Western 10.4 Source: CaPPS 1 Includes only those referrals where patients were subsequently treated for cancer. (ii) Information on waiting times for access to diagnostic scans and tests is not collected by the Department. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278872/ 278872-answered Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the steps her Department is taking to ensure individuals storing animals for food production, in large warehouses, meet animal welfare standards. Answer (23 November 2016): My Department enforces the animal welfare legislation covering food production animals. This legislation is: Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011; Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2012; and Welfare of Animals (Permitted Procedures by Lay Persons) Regulations (NI) 2012. In addition, my Department has a range of Codes of Practice, for both farmed and non-farmed animals. The Codes are a statutory requirement in that any person responsible for, or attending to, animals must ensure that they and their staff are familiar with and have access to the Codes. The Codes are available to view… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278871/ 278871-answered Wed, 23 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the penalties in place for individuals that do not conform to animal welfare checks. Answer (23 November 2016): The maximum penalties in the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 (the 2011 Act) are - for conviction on indictment, 5 years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine; and on summary conviction for offences of causing unnecessary suffering and animal fighting, 12 months imprisonment and/or a £20,000 fine; on summary conviction for other offences, 6 months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine. Under the 2011 Act a court can deprive an owner of possession of an animal, and disqualify a person from owning, keeping, or participating in the keeping of an animal. Inspectors can serve an Improvement… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/281086/ 281086-answered Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy for an update on the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy. Answer (21 November 2016): Mr Hamilton: The apprenticeship levy will be introduced in April 2017. The collection of the levy is a reserved matter for the UK Government. It will impact on all employers with an annual pay bill in excess of £3 million. Her Majesty's Treasury announced on Monday 14 November 2016 the apportionments for the devolved Administrations. Northern Ireland will be allocated £76 million, £79 million and £82 million over the next three years. However, Her Majesty's Treasury has removed £52 million due to a reduction in funding for existing apprenticeships in England and a further £29 million… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/280328/ 280328-answered Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail what capital investment is planned for schools in East Belfast by May 2021. Answer (21 November 2016): There are several ongoing capital programmes to improve accommodation across the schools’ estate funded from the Department’s capital budget, however, Capital Budgets for future years are not yet confirmed. A Major Capital projects for Elmgrove Primary School was announced to proceed to planning in January 2013 and is due to commence in July 2017 to provide a new nursery school followed by the refurbishment and extension of the main school building. It is anticipated that completion will be in August 2018 at an estimated cost of £9.953m. There is currently 1 School Enhancement Programme… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/280327/ 280327-answered Mon, 21 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline what flood alleviation works are planned in East Belfast by May 2021. Answer (21 November 2016): Flood alleviation works as part of the Connswater Community Greenway/East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 are presently ongoing with completion programmed for the end of March 2017. A separate DfI Rivers ‘Standalone’ Flood Alleviation Scheme which dovetails with the aforementioned scheme is presently being constructed in East Belfast. This scheme forms an integral part of the overall East Belfast Flood Alleviation Scheme. The works on the ‘Standalone’ scheme are well progressed with completion anticipated by the end of December 2016. In addition, works on the upgrade of an existing… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/280300/ 280300-answered Thu, 17 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Finance To ask the Minister of Finance in light of his announcement of the establishment of a £5million Community Regeneration Fund, (i) whether this policy has been, or will be, subjected to equality screening in line with the commitment under paragraph 4.5 of the Department’s statutory equality scheme; and (ii) whether the fund will be allocated on the basis of objective need, with the funding for external organisations undertaken through an open application process on the basis of published criteria. Answer (17 November 2016): In bringing projects to the Executive for funding through the in-year monitoring process, departments must ensure proposals have been subject to equality screening. In that respect I would expect proposals for funding under the Community Regeneration Fund to be no different from other proposals brought forward in the January Monitoring round. The Community Regeneration Fund will seek to target infrastructure projects in our most deprived and marginalised communities, and seek to maintain momentum on peace building and enhance our diverse heritages. Funding must be allocated in the January… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278870/ 278870-answered Thu, 17 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to outline the actions she has taken to raise awareness of the risks of buying a pet via an online advertisement, as per the recommendations in the Review of the Implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 final report. Answer (17 November 2016): Following publication of the Final Report of the Review of the Implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011, my Department has formalised its links with the Pet Advertising Advisory Group (PAAG) and the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG) and works with these organisations to promote better self regulation of online sites advertising pets. This fulfils one of the Review’s recommendations. These organisations are advisory groups made up of leading animal welfare organisations, trade associations and veterinary bodies. They aim to ensure that pet animals are only advertised… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/280329/ 280329-answered Wed, 16 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail how much European Union funding was spent in East Belfast on departmental projects between May 2011 and March 2016. Answer (16 November 2016): It is not possible to provide a total of expenditure disaggregated to a constituency level. An overarching premise of competitive EU funding is that the beneficial impacts of receiving said are evidenced in regional, national and EU added-value terms. A total of £76.63m has been secured from various EU funding sources towards a wide range of infrastructure projects since 2011 and I have included a breakdown of this at Annex A. Annex A 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 TOTAL European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme 5,800,000 10,735,500 7,185,000 23,720,500 A2 Upgrade – Belfast Shore Road to… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/280326/ 280326-answered Tue, 15 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to outline what capital investment projects his Department will undertake in East Belfast by May 2021. Answer (15 November 2016): As the Executive has yet to agree on Budget allocations for the period 2017-18 to 2020-21 I am unable to provide details of investment in East Belfast for that period. However, my response to AQW 4961/16-21 sets out details of investment in East Belfast for the current financial year together with committed spend in future years arising from those capital projects. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/279424/ 279424-answered Tue, 15 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the action his Department is taking to improve good relations with regard to sexual orientation. Answer (15 November 2016): Mr Givan: The Member will be aware that section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 places a statutory duty on all public authorities to promote equality of opportunity between a wide range of groups such as: : Furthermore, section 75(2) states: : My Department has published an interim equality scheme that sets out how, as a Department, we propose to fulfil our section 75 statutory duties. In addition, my Department is required to provide an annual progress report to the Equality Commission setting out how we have delivered against those statutory duties. The first Department for Communities… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/281596/ 281596-answered Tue, 15 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on her response to the report of the working group on fatal foetal abnormality. Answer (15 November 2016): The Health Minister and I received the working group’s report on 11 October and are considering its findings and recommendations. When we are both content, the report will be submitted to the Executive for their consideration and then their approval. Decisions on how to proceed will be for the Executive to take. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/279670/ 279670-answered Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities pursuant to AQW 5767/16-21, to outline how his Department intends to make provision to increase the welfare supplementary payments for affected families, and specifically whether this requires amendment of The Welfare Supplementary Payments Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016. Answer (9 November 2016): The Welfare Supplementary Payment (Benefit Cap) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 come into operation on 7th November 2016 and amend the Welfare Supplementary Payments Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016. Regulation 4A(2) provides for welfare supplementary payments to be increased for families affected by the reduction in the benefit cap from 7th November 2016, which is the date the new lower benefit cap is being introduced. The link to these regulations is provided below. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2016/389 /contents/made https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278951/ 278951-answered Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities what processes are in place to ensure the speedy release of a Freedom of Information request in circumstances where the absence of clearance from either he or his Special Adviser has taken the request beyond the statutory deadline for response. Answer (9 November 2016): Draft replies to FOI requests may be considered by a number of staff in the department before a response is approved and issued. The Department seeks wherever possible to comply with deadlines for responses to requests. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/277145/ 277145-answered Wed, 09 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the progress made on the review of entertainment licensing, conducted as part of the red tape review of the hospitality industry. Answer (9 November 2016): In 2014 an Entertainment Licensing Review Group was tasked with reviewing the legislation, associated model terms and conditions and the structure and level of fees for entertainment licences, and making recommendations on any changes needed. It reported its findings to the then Minister of the Environment in February 2015 and made 36 recommendations for a future licensing regime. A consultation on the Review Group’s Report and recommendations was conducted from 1 May 2015 to 26 June 2015. An analysis of the responses showed that respondents welcomed the proposed changes and agreed with the… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278197/ 278197-answered Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether her Department has plans to renew the Sexual Health Promotion Strategy. Answer (4 November 2016): The five year Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan was published in December 2008. In June 2013, the then Minister for Health agreed to extend the life of the Strategy and Action Plan for a further two years. This work commenced in the summer of 2013. The updated Action Plan was published in March 2014 and ran to the end of December 2015. The Public Health Agency facilitated a major sexual health workshop on 25 October with stakeholders to consider key issues and potential actions for improving sexual health services and approaches to sexual health promotion. I will consider the… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278196/ 278196-answered Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health how long it took the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to draft and launch the Sexual Health Promotion Strategy during the 2011-2016 Assembly mandate. Answer (4 November 2016): The five year Sexual Health Promotion Strategy and Action Plan was published in December 2008. In June 2013, the then Minister for Health agreed to extend the life of the Strategy and Action Plan for a further two years. This work commenced in the summer of 2013. The updated Action Plan was published in March 2014 and ran to the end of December 2015. The Public Health Agency facilitated a major sexual health workshop on 25 October with stakeholders to consider key issues and potential actions for improving sexual health services and approaches to sexual health promotion. I will consider the… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/279719/ 279719-answered Wed, 02 Nov 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health how many people are on the surgical waiting list for endomitriosis; and how long a patient waits on average for surgical intervention. Answer (2 November 2016): The number of patients currently waiting for surgery with an operation description which includes the treatment/potential treatment of endometriosis has been provided in the table below. HSC Trust Number Waiting South Eastern 36 Western 71 Source: HSC Trusts Belfast, Northern and Southern Health and Social Care Trusts were unable to provide this information within the specified time frame. Health and Social Care Trusts were unable to provide an average waiting time for surgical intervention within the specified time frame. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/277180/ 277180-answered Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for his assessment of (i) the role Belfast plays in sustaining arts provision; (ii) whether his Department will ensure that the £150,000 awarded to local councils outside Belfast will, at a minimum, be matched within Belfast; and, (iii) whether the cuts to funding to arts organisations is a factor in the developing situation around the long term sustainability of arts organisations and venues. Answer (27 October 2016): Belfast has a crucial role to play in sustaining Arts provision and that is reflected in the funding, disbursed through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI), which is provided by my Department. Seventy-four of a total of 107 ACNI annually funded clients are based in Belfast, providing services to both Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland. In 2016/17 ACNI provided over £7,000,000 to these 74 organisations. My Department also allocates a total of around £400,000 per year to the Community Festivals Fund (CFF) which is administered and match-funded by Local Councils. Belfast City… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/277146/ 277146-answered Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities following the passage of the Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, for his assessment of charging to facilitate cafés wishing utilise pavements as part of their business. Answer (27 October 2016): The Licensing of Pavement Cafés Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 introduced a statutory licensing scheme for the regulation of pavement cafés by district councils; this included provisions which enable the council to charge fees to offset the cost of administering the scheme. It is a matter for each council to decide whether it wishes to charge a fee and, if so, the level of fees which it deems appropriate. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/272811/ 272811-answered Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what steps have been taken to ensure the implementation of the Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime - Executive Action Plan. Answer (27 October 2016): We refer the Member to the answer given to AQO 244/16-21 on 20 October 2016. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276960/ 276960-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of occasions the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has awarded points to applicants on the basis of being intimidated, in each of the last five years. Answer (26 October 2016): The Housing Executive has provided details of the number of homeless presenters, who gave the reason for presentation as intimidation, by category for the last five years as shown in the tables below. The tables also provide the number of presenters accepted as full duty applicants. 2011/12 Reason for Homelessness Presenters Accepted as Full Duty Applicants Intimidation-Anti-social behaviour 44 30 Intimidation-Disability 2 2 Intimidation-Paramilitary 326 213 Intimidation-Racial 29 18 Intimidation-Sectarian 52 34 Intimidation-Sexual Orientation 9 6 Total 462 303 2012/13 Reason for… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276959/ 276959-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to outline what discussions and collaboration takes place in communities to support social housing tenants, with particular reference to racial minorities that are experiencing intimidation and attacks on their property, to continue to hold their tenancy. Answer (26 October 2016): The Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s (NIHE) Race Relations Officer works closely with the minority ethnic community to ensure their services and support are tailored to the needs of their new communities. The NIHE provide support to individual victims of racist hate crime to enable them to continue to hold their tenancy which will vary depending on their needs and wishes as well as a range of external factors and local circumstances. They work in partnership with the PSNI, local groups, and a range of other agencies to identify the level of any threat, the potential for repeat attacks… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276958/ 276958-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities how the Northern Ireland Housing Executive can support social housing tenants, with particular reference to racial minorities, to hold their tenancy free from intimidation. Answer (26 October 2016): The Housing Executive acknowledges that hate harassment has been identified as a current issue in Northern Ireland. They promote a clear and strong message that they will not tolerate hate crime in any form on their estates and will take appropriate action to effectively address and eradicate hate crime motivated by someone’s perceived Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, Religion, Political Opinion, Disability or Gender Identity. Local Offices can help if a victim has no home, is in danger of losing their home or is afraid to go home because someone has been violent, or because of threats of… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276957/ 276957-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities how the Northern Ireland Housing Executive monitors incidents of intimidation of racial minorities accepting social housing offers. Answer (26 October 2016): Where a social housing offer has been accepted and the tenant subsequently terminates his/her tenancy, the Housing Executive has monitoring mechanisms in place to collate information regarding the reasons for termination. These include circumstances where there is alleged intimidation. If the intimidation takes the form of physical damage, the Housing Executive has monitoring information through use of the Hate Incident Practical Action (HIPA) scheme. The HIPA scheme is available across Northern Ireland to support victims of hate incidents in their homes. It is supported by the Department of… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276956/ 276956-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of new homes expected to be built in East Belfast by 2021. Answer (26 October 2016): The Social Housing Development Programme (SHDP) is formulated on a three year basis, so information on new social housing schemes is only currently available for the three year period 2016/17-2018/19. There are currently 73 social housing units under construction in the East Belfast Parliamentary Constituency. A further 313 social housing units are programmed to start on-site in the East Belfast Parliamentary Constituency as part of the SHDP 2016/17 to 2018/19 (127units in 2016/17, 141 units in 2017/18 and 45 units in 2018/19). Please be advised that schemes can be lost or slip to future… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276808/ 276808-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether an Equality Impact Assessment (i) will need to be completed; or (ii) will be completed, regarding the proposed relocation of Social Security Offices and Jobs and Benefits Offices. Answer (26 October 2016): On 20th September 2016, the Department commenced a public consultation exercise on proposals to close a number of Social Security Offices and JobCentres. There are no proposals to relocate any Jobs & Benefits offices. As part of the consultation exercise the Department also published an Equality Screening document which indicates that the proposals would not have a differential impact on any Section 75 categories. However, my Department will use any evidence provided in the response to the consultation to inform a further screening of the policy to determine the need for an Equality Impact… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276498/ 276498-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the percentage of females that will be affected by the reorganisation and closures of the rural office network, broken down by office. Answer (26 October 2016): Based on the latest available figures, the gender breakdown for each of the potentially impacted offices is: Office Gender Total Female Male No. % No. % No. % Ballynahinch 10 66.7 5 33.3 15 100.0 Cookstown 23 88.5 3 11.5 26 100.0 Newcastle 18 85.7 3 14.3 21 100.0 https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276497/ 276497-answered Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to outline, as part of the Welfare Reform, (i) whether it is projected that staffing in the Working Age group will decrease by 2022; and (ii) the extent in reduction of staffing. Answer (26 October 2016): At present, it is too early to determine if staffing levels in the Working Age group will decrease by 2022. However, it is projected that over the next 5 years, there will be an increase in staffing in the first three years, because of the need to operate dual social security benefit systems, before a decline over the following two years before moving into a steady state position. Work is ongoing to determine what the overall workforce requirements will be longer term. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/278172/ 278172-answered Tue, 25 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice whether she intends to (i) seek agreement for proposed Westminster legislative provisions to pardon those convicted of abolished sex offences to be extended to Northern Ireland; or (ii) introduce legislation. Answer (25 October 2016): The amendment to the Policing and Crime Bill builds on existing legislation already in place in England and Wales for disregarding convictions for old homosexual offences which are no longer unlawful. These provisions, which are in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, do not extend to Northern Ireland, therefore the proposed new law could not work here by extension. A change to the law in Northern Ireland would therefore require Assembly legislation. I am happy to consider this policy issue. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276494/ 276494-answered Tue, 25 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether the decision to close Cookstown, Newcastle and Ballynahinch Jobs and Benefits Offices (i) was rural proofed before the decision was made; and, if not (ii) when this will be completed. Answer (25 October 2016): I would refer the member to my response to AQW 5159/16-21 tabled by Colin McGrath which will soon be published in Hansard. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/277977/ 277977-answered Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to confirm that households with children, affected by the Benefit Cap of 31st May 2016, and currently in receipt of a supplementary payment, will receive an increased supplementary payment if their Housing Benefit is reduced further by the lower Benefit Cap, planned to be introduced on 7 November 2016. Answer (24 October 2016): I can confirm the Department will make provision to increase the welfare supplementary payment to mitigate the impact of a reduction in the benefit cap planned to be introduced from 7 November 2016. Households with children currently receiving a welfare supplementary payment will receive an increase if they continue to meet the conditions for eligibility. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276496/ 276496-answered Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to outline the discussions his Department had with other Departments to ensure the digital aspects of Universal Credit can be achieved. Answer (24 October 2016): My officials have had discussions with Department of Finance colleagues to draw on their experiences of how best to provide support for claimants using a digital service. Furthermore, my officials regularly engage with the Department for Work and Pensions who have already rolled out Universal Credit, to ensure any lessons learned are considered and the digital aspects of Universal Credit can be achieved in Northern Ireland. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/276495/ 276495-answered Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether an economic assessment was carried out for the towns that are scheduled to have Jobs and Benefits Office closures. Answer (24 October 2016): My Department is aware of wider concerns regarding the impact of the proposed closures of the Cookstown, Newcastle and Ballynahinch Social Security Offices and JobCentres on job opportunities and the local economy. In order to assess the economic impact of the proposals a Regulatory Impact Screening is currently being completed on these proposals to determine whether a Regulatory Impact Assessment is required. My Department will also use any evidence provided in the response to the public consultation exercise into the proposed office closures to inform the Regulatory Impact Screening. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/267743/ 267743-answered Mon, 24 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy to outline (i) why self-employed parents, who have adopted a child, cannot receive statutory adoption pay; and (ii) what consideration has been made in allowing access to this pay. Answer (24 October 2016): Current UK wide arrangements do not extend the right to receive statutory adoption pay to self-employed parents, and my predecessors have historically opted to continue to maintain policies consistent with this position. I have asked officials to review options in this policy area to enable me to determine whether there is a persuasive case for change. https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/275728/ 275728-answered Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health when she will publish the report of the working group on fatal foetal abnormality. Answer (18 October 2016): https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/274127/ 274127-answered Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister , pursuant to AQW 2120/16-21, for an update on the staffing formation of BREXIT teams within their Department; and the steps taken to consult with and engage the community and voluntary sector. Answer (18 October 2016): The governance structures outlined in AQW 2120/16-21 are now in place. Senior officials have been nominated within all Departments to sit on an Inter-departmental Coordination Group, chaired jointly by the Permanent Secretaries of the Departments of Finance and Economy. Its role is to identify the implications for us of the EU referendum result, oversee engagement with the UK and Irish Governments and the European Union and assist in the development of a negotiating strategy for the Executive. An EU Future Relations Division has been created within the Executive Office to support this… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/275127/ 275127-answered Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether he intends to introduce a statutory obligation on statutory partners committing to deliver local government community plans. Answer (12 October 2016): The statutory community planning partners are specified in subordinate legislation, namely the Local government (Community Planning Partners) Order (NI) 2016. Statutory obligations regarding community planning are provided by Part 10 of the Local Government Act (NI) 2014 (“the Act”). Section 66 of the Act states inter alia that community planning partners must participate in community planning to the extent that such activity is connected to that partner's functions, and must assist the councils discharge of functions of initiating, maintaining and facilitating community planning. Section… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/275126/ 275126-answered Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the review of the Code of Conduct for Councillors; and to outline the action he intends to take. Answer (12 October 2016): An independent Review Group was established in November 2015, to carry out a review of Parts 3 (principles) and 8 (rules on decision-making) of the Code of Conduct. The Review Group invited councils and local government bodies and organisations to give their views on the Code of Conduct. The Review Group produced its final Report and recommendations in April 2016. I have considered this Report and will shortly issue a revised Code of Conduct, together with the Review Group’s Report, for public consultation. The revised Code of Conduct must be laid before and approved by resolution of the… https://askedbynaomi.nidata.fyi/questions/275125/ 275125-answered Mon, 10 Oct 2016 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for his intended timetable to devolve regeneration powers to local authorities. Answer (10 October 2016): The extension of Regeneration and Community Development powers to Local Government did not proceed under the last mandate. The new Department for Communities (DfC) has now been established with a much wider range of responsibilities, including responsibility for local government and it will be in that context that I will wish to consider the options for going forward. Ultimately, any decision to extend powers to local government will be a matter for the Executive.