This week in the Assembly - 8 December 2008

Monday 8 December 2008

Executive Committee Business

Suspension of Standing Orders

The Minister of Education, Caitriona Ruane, has proposed that: "Standing Orders 10(2) to 10(4), inclusive, be suspended for 8 December 2008".

Second Stage

Education Bill (NIA 3/08) brought by the Minister of Education, Caitriona Ruane.

Further Consideration Stage

Pensions (No.2) Bill (NIA 2/08) brought by the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie.

Draft Institutions of Further Education (Public Sector Audit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008

The Minister of Finance and Personnel, Nigel Dodds, has proposed a motion that: "the draft Institutions of Further Education (Public Sector Audit) Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 be approved".

Questions to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister

Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the stages for the devolution of policing and justice powers; and which of these stages have specified timeframes.

Strangford MLA Kieran McCarthy will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to report on the discussions held with the Prime Minister in relation to financial assistance for Northern Ireland.

West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline how the recommendations of the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Taskforce Report 2002 compares with other anti-poverty initiatives in the Department.

East Belfast MLA Naomi Long will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister when it is expected that the Executive will have cleared the backlog of papers which arose from the failure of the Executive to meet for 5 months.

North Antrim MLA Declan O'Loan will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the roles of the junior Ministers as 'Children's Champions'; and how they have carried out this role.

East Londonderry MLA Francie Brolly will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister how the roll-out of the Investment Strategy will be accelerated to provide opportunities for the construction industry.

Foyle MLA Mark Durkan will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what action is being taken to deal with the implications of rising energy costs on targets to eradicate child poverty.

West Belfast MLA Sue Ramsey will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what discussions they have held with Ministerial colleagues on ensuring that the policy commitment to the West Belfast and Greater Shankill Taskforce Report is honoured fully.

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister, following the announcement on 11 November on the need to transform public services, what plans the Office has to privatise any of the services offered by the Northern Ireland Civil Service or other government agencies.

Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an assessment of the importance of childcare provision in a strategy to tackle child poverty; and to confirm when a strategy for childcare will be produced.

Questions to the Minister of the Health, Social Services and Public Safety

North Down MLA Stephen Farry will ask the Minister for an update on the delivery of efficiency savings under his Department's current budget.

East Belfast MLA Naomi Long will ask the Minister to report on respite care for people with learning difficulties.

Folye MLA Mary Bradley will ask the Minister for an update on the service framework for Older People's Health and Wellbeing.

North Belfast MLA Fred Cobain will ask the Minister what his Department is doing to tackle fuel poverty.

Questions to the Minister of Social Development

South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey will ask the Minister what protocols she follows in responding to representations from, or questions raised, by Assembly Members.

South Belfast MLA Alasdair McDonnell will ask the Minister for her assessment of the impact of the credit crunch on the housing market.

East Antrim MLA Sean Neeson will ask the Minister what plans she has to use Departmental underspends to build social houses.

South Down MLA Willie Clarke will ask the Minister for a progress report on the fuel poverty proposals she circulated to the Executive for consideration.

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson will ask the Minister in light of fluctuating fuel prices, what action she is taking to ensure the Winter Fuel Allowance is appropriate.

South Antrim MLA David Burns will ask the Minister what plans she has to build an increased number of social houses on land already in public ownership.

North Down MLA Leslie Cree will ask the Minister what plans she has to extend the Winter Fuel Allowance to people suffering from cancer.

East Londonderry MLA Francie Brolly will ask the Minister what action she is taking to respond to the difficulties being faced by the construction industry.

Private Members' Business

Current Economic Downturn

UUP MLAs David McNarry and Leslie Cree have proposed a joint motion that; "this Assembly calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to recognise fully the significant potential for job losses due to the current economic downturn; to detail what assistance he can draw on from the Treasury; and to produce urgently an action plan to assist small businesses, especially with regard to cash flow relief, and the level of assistance his Department can initiate locally".

Tuesday 9 December 2008

Executive Committee Business

Consideration Stage

Public Authorities (Reform) Bill (NIA 19/07), brought by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.

Further Consideration Stage

Health and Social Care (Reform) Bill (NIA 21/07), brought by the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Michael McGimpsey.

Final Stage

Pensions (No.2) Bill (NIA 2/08), brought by the Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie.

Private Members' Business

Carbon neutrality within the Northern Ireland Assembly

DUP MLA Jim Wells and Green Party MLA Brian Wilson have submitted a joint motion that: "this Assembly calls upon the Assembly Commission to draw up an action plan aimed at ensuring that all the buildings used by the Northern Ireland Assembly achieve carbon neutrality by 2015".

Adjournment Debate

Foyle MLA Mary Bradley has proposed an adjournment debate on the issue of: "the redeployment of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development jobs from Derry/Londonderry".

Committee Business

Tuesday 9 December 2008
11.00am - Assembly and Executive Review Committee
12.30pm - Business Committee (Closed session)
1.30pm - Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Wednesday 10 December 2008
10.00am - Committee for Finance and Personnel
10.00am - Committee for Education
10.30am - Committee for Regional Development
2.00pm - Committee on Standards and Privileges

Thursday 11 December 2008
10.30am - Committee for the Environment
10.30am - Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
10.30am - Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
11.00am - Committee for Social Development
2.00pm - Public Accounts Committee
2.00pm - Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety