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:

Mr Colm Gildernew
Mr Peter Martin
Mr Nick Mathison
Mr Colin Crawford
Mr Colin McGrath
Mr Maurice Bradley
Mrs Michelle Guy
Mr Phillip Brett
Mr John Stewart
Ms Cara Hunter
Mr Harry Harvey
Mr David Honeyford
Mr David Brooks

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Blair, took the Chair.

3. Committee Business

3.1 Motion: Children’s Social Care Services

Proposed:

That this Assembly recognises the need for immediate and sustained action to protect and support vulnerable children and families; notes the recommendations in the Northern Ireland Review of Children's Social Care Services Report, published in June 2023; commends the thorough work undertaken by the Review including identifying systemic issues and outlining a clear path for reform; calls on the Minister of Health to provide a detailed timeline for the implementation of the Review’s recommendations and to ensure adequate resources and funding are made available to enable the effective reform of children’s social care services; and further calls on the Minister to work collaboratively with statutory partners and relevant stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector and children and young people with lived experience, to deliver improved and sustainable care for vulnerable children and families and to prioritise the welfare and protection of children.

Chairperson, Committee for Health

Debate ensued.

The Question being put, the motion was carried.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

4. Private Members’ Business

4.1 Motion: Social Care Reform

Proposed:

That this Assembly expresses its frustration at the lack of progress on transforming the social care system since the Power to People report was published in 2017; notes that workforce shortages, care home capacity constraints and long delays to access community care packages are leaving too many people without the high quality services they need, when they need them; welcomes the contribution of frontline staff, providers and community and voluntary sector bodies in the work of the Social Care Collaborative Forum; and calls on the Minister of Health to bring forward the key policy development priorities from that Collaborative Forum without delay, including the Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy 2026, revised care standards for nursing homes, review of the Carers’ Strategy 2006 and Residential Care Home Minimum Standards.

Miss Nuala McAllister
Mr Danny Donnelly
Mr Stewart Dickson
Mrs Michelle Guy

Amendment:

Proposed:

Insert after ‘when they need them;’:

‘is concerned that current charging arrangements for adult social care in Northern Ireland are unfair and inconsistent; believes the Department of Health should explore the potential benefits of independent price regulation within the care sector;’

Mrs Diane Dodds
Mr Alan Robinson

Debate ensued.

The sitting was suspended at 12.57pm.

The sitting resumed at 2.00pm, the Speaker in the Chair.

5. Question Time

5.1 Economy

Questions were put to, and answered by, the Minister for the Economy, Mr Conor Murphy.

The Principal Deputy Speaker took the Chair.

6. Private Members’ Business (cont’d)

6.1 Motion: Social Care Reform (cont’d)

Debate resumed.

The Question being put, the amendment was made.

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

The Deputy Speaker, Dr Aiken, took the Chair.

7. Ministerial Statements

7.1 Job Creation in the Department for Communities

The Minister for Communities, Mr Gordon Lyons, made a statement regarding Job Creation in the Department for Communities, following which he replied to questions.

8. Adjournment

Proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

The Speaker

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín spoke to her topic regarding Social Service Vacancies in North and West Belfast.

The Assembly adjourned at 4.41pm.

Mr Edwin Poots
The Speaker
8 October 2024

Northern Ireland Assembly

Papers Presented to the Assembly on 8 October 2024.

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

Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland Report - Our Food 2023: An annual review of food standards across the UK (Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland)

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 8 October 2024
2022-2027 Mandate
Executive Bills