This week in the Assembly - 30 June 2008

Monday 30 June 2008

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

North Down MLA Stephen Farry will ask the Minister for his assessment of the mental health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups.

Basil McCrea MLA (Lagan Valley) will ask the Minister for his assessment of funding for after-school projects post June 2008.

South Down MLA John McCallister and Foyle MLA Martina Anderson will ask the Minister for his assessment of, and response to, the Independent Review of Autism.

Jennifer McCann MLA (West Belfast) will ask the Minister what action he will take to implement all the recommendations of the Report on the Inquiry into the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm produced by the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

Questions to the Minister for Regional Development

South Down MLA Willie Clarke will ask the Minister how he intends to proceed with the fundamental review of the Regional Development Strategy, and what involvement those working outside of government will have in terms of shaping the new framework.

Basil McCrea MLA (Lagan Valley) will ask the Minister what co-operation takes place between Translink, the Roads Service and the Department for Social Development in relation to urban regeneration.

Questions to the Minister for Social Development

South Belfast MLA Anna Lo will ask the Minister for an update on her department’s commitments under the Programme for Government.

West Belfast MLA Paul Maskey will ask the Minister if she will consult with the Minister of Finance and Personnel to consider increasing the winter fuel allowance for people aged 60-79 to match that awarded to people aged 80 years and over, given the rise in oil fuel heating.

Caral Ní Chuilín MLA (North Belfast) will ask the Minister for Social Development what action she is taking to ensure equality of approach when addressing difficulties in the provision of social and affordable housing in North Belfast.

South Antrim MLA David Burnside will ask the Minister for Social Development if funding allocated by her Department will be linked to adherence by voluntary and community organisations to her Department’s code of governance for the voluntary and community sector.

Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly will ask the Minister what progress is being made on the A Shared Future element of her new housing agenda.

Edwin Poots MLA (Lagan Valley) will ask the Minister for Social Development what funding is available for urban regeneration in the period of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

South Antrim MLA Tommy Burns will ask the Minister for Social Development the steps she is taking to provide more social and affordable housing in rural areas.

Executive Committee Business

Final Stage– Charities Bill (NIA 9/07)
(Minister for Social Development)

Committee Business

Rising Energy Costs
Mark Durkan, Chairperson of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, has proposed the following motion:
“That this Assembly notes with concern, that rising energy costs are hitting families in Northern Ireland harder than in the rest of the UK; and calls on the Executive to:

(i) give further priority to measures to promote energy efficiency and combat fuel poverty;

(ii) drive a co-ordinated energy policy to diversify our energy supplies, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, increase competition in our energy market and harness the full potential of renewable energy;

(iii) co-operate with other Governments, including through the British Irish Council, to develop a longer-term strategy for these islands; and

(iv) urge the UK Government to redirect the windfall VAT revenue from higher energy bills to be used to mitigate the escalation of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.”

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Committee Business

Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use
William McCrea, Chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, has proposed the following motion:
“That this Assembly approves the Report of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development (39/07/08R) into Renewable Energy and Alternative Land Use.”

Adjournment

Committee Meetings

Click here to see in full the Assembly Committee Business Diary including times and venues.

Wednesday 2 July 2008

10.00am - Finance and Personnel Committee
10.30am - Regional Development Committee
10.30am - Employment and Learning Committee
2.00pm - Committee for the OFMDFM

Thursday 3 July 2008

10.00am - Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee
10.30am - Environment Committee
10.30am - Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee
11.00am - Social Development Committee
1.30pm - Agriculture and Rural Development Committee
2.00pm - Public Accounts Committee
2.30pm - Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee

Friday 4 July 2008

10.00am - Education Committee