Minutes of Proceedings

The Assembly met at 10.30am, the Speaker in the Chair.

1. Prayers

Members observed two minutes’ silence.

2. Members’ Statements

Under Standing Order 24A, the following Members made a statement to the Assembly:

Mrs Cathy Mason
Mr Trevor Clarke
Mr Andrew McMurray
Mr Declan McAleer
Mr Phillip Brett
Ms Kate Nicholl
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Timothy Gaston
Mrs Deborah Erskine
Miss Órlaithí Flynn
Mr Keith Buchanan

3. Executive Committee Business

3.1 Final Stage: RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27)

The Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibld, moved that the Final Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27) do now pass.

Debate ensued.

The RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill (NIA Bill 22/22-27) passed Final Stage.

4. Committee Business

4.1 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill (NIA Bill 27/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 18 September 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Education (Holiday Meal Payments) Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

4.2 Motion: Extension of Committee Stage – Irish-medium (Workforce Plan) Bill (NIA Bill 28/22-27)

Proposed:

That, in accordance with Standing Order 33(4), the period referred to in Standing Order 33(2) be extended to 30 August 2026, in relation to the Committee Stage of the Irish-medium (Workforce Plan) Bill.

Chairperson, Committee for Education

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

5. Private Members’ Business

5.1 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

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.52pm and resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

6. Question Time

6.1 Justice

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister of Justice, Mrs Naomi Long.

7. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

7.1 Motion: Delivering Fit-for-Purpose Autism Services (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7.2 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 Órlaithí 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

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the amendment was agreed.

The Question being put, the motion, as amended, was carried.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Mr Colin McGrath spoke to his topic regarding the Development of St Patrick’s Day in Downpatrick.

The Assembly adjourned at 5.03pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
12 May 2026

Northern Ireland Assembly

Proxy Voting Notifications

In line with Standing Order 27A, Miss Nicola Brogan arranged for her vote to be exercised by a proxy (Mrs Sinéad Ennis) during the period 11 November 2025 to 10 August 2026.

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 12 May 2026.

1. Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly

2. Bills of the Northern Ireland Assembly

3. Orders in Council

4. Statutory Rules

5. Legislative Consent Memorandums

6. Assembly Reports

7. Written Ministerial Statements

8. Publications Laid in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Annual Report on the Social Fund 2023/2024 (Department for Communities)

9. Publications Presented in the Northern Ireland Assembly

Northern Ireland Assembly Legislation:

Stages in Consideration of Public Bills
First Stage: Introduction of Bill.
Second Stage: General debate of the Bill with an opportunity for Members to vote on its general principles.
Committee Stage (Comm. Stage): Detailed investigation by a Committee which concludes with the publication of a report for consideration by the Assembly.
Consideration Stage (CS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, the details of the Bill including amendments proposed to the Bill.
Further Consideration Stage (FCS): Consideration by the Assembly of, and an opportunity for Members to vote on, further amendments to the Bill.
Final Stage: Passing or rejecting of Bill by the Assembly, without further amendment.
Royal Assent.

Proceedings as 12 May 2026
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills

2022-2027 Mandate
Non-Executive Bills