Marshalled list of Amendments
Tuesday 11 May 2026
Item 6 – Order Paper 170/22-27 – Tuesday 12 May 2026
Motion: Delivering Fit-for-Purpose Autism Services
Proposed:
That this Assembly expresses significant concern at the failure to provide fit-for-purpose services and support for those impacted by autism in Northern Ireland; further expresses significant concern at the findings of the Independent Autism Reviewer’s Annual Report September 2024 – March 2026 including on major pressures in respite and short break provision, the mental health effects of long autism assessment waiting times, the postcode lottery of available services, and the lack of a cross-government transition pathway for autistic young people; agrees that, with autism rates rising exponentially, providing high quality and responsive autism services should be a priority for the Department of Health; and calls on the Minister of Health to outline how he will ensure delivery of the measures in the Autism Strategy 2023 – 2028 and the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 during the rest of the Assembly mandate and his plans for the continued improvement of services in the years that follow.
Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mrs Michelle Guy
Amendment
Leave out all after ‘young people;’ and insert:
‘notes with concern that, unlike in England where statutory Education, Health and Care Plans can provide legal protection and support pathways for young people with special educational needs up to the age of 25, equivalent legislative safeguards do not exist in Northern Ireland beyond the age of 19; recognises the anxiety and uncertainty this creates for many families navigating the transition into adulthood; further recognises the pressures placed on parents, siblings and carers, including the need for adequate respite and transitional support; calls on the Minister of Health, working alongside the Minister of Education and the Minister for the Economy, to bring forward proposals to strengthen post-19 support pathways for autistic young people and those with special educational needs; and further calls on the Minister to outline how he will ensure delivery of the measures in the Autism Strategy 2023–2028 and the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 during the remainder of the Assembly mandate.’
[Mr Timothy Gaston]
Motion: Strengthening Homecare Provision
Proposed:
That this Assembly recognises the essential contribution of the homecare (domiciliary care) sector to supporting independence and enabling older people, people with disabilities, and those living with long-term conditions to remain in their own homes and communities; acknowledges that demand for homecare is increasing and becoming more complex; notes with concern the ongoing pressures undermining effective community-based care, including persistent workforce shortages, rising fuel costs and regional disparities leading to delayed hospital discharges and unmet care; and calls on the Minister of Health to fulfil his commitment to introduce the real Living Wage for social care workers and to develop, through meaningful engagement and co-production, a comprehensive action plan to strengthen homecare in an equitable, sustainable and future proofed manner.
Mr Philip McGuigan
Mrs Linda Dillon
Miss Órlatihí Flynn
Amendment
After ‘unmet care;’ insert :
‘expresses particular concern regarding the potential withdrawal of services from rural areas; believes there is a crisis in social care which is impacting patient flow in hospitals;’
[Mrs Diane Dodds]
[Mr Alan Robinson]
