2440 search results for: current issues

Waiting Times – Supplementary Briefing

This briefing paper has been prepared as a supplementary briefing to cover issues raised by the Committee for HSSPS in response to the Briefing paper 104/12 Northern Ireland Waiting Lists: Current and Historical Trends for Outpatients, Inpatients and Diagnostic Services. The areas covered by the briefing include: •A review of the key messages from the April 2012 RaISe briefing paper with the addition of a brief update of the latest waiting times in Northern Ireland for June 2012 •The various waiting time targets/standards across the UK – rationale and measurements used; •The private practice work of consultants – a brief history of the private work of consultants; the consultant contract; guidelines on private work; and any potential impact on waiting times; and •Other issues for Northern Ireland including financial penalties for Trusts not meeting waiting time targets; Outpatient ‘review’ appointments; and the measures in place in Northern Ireland to address waiting lists and the success or otherwise of these initiatives.

Mutual Banking in Northern Ireland: preliminary considerations

Mutual Banking in Northern Ireland: preliminary considerations This Briefing Paper outlines key issues regarding the potential introduction of a “mutual banking” ownership model in Northern Ireland. It is prepared at the request of the Committee for Finance (the Committee), as part of the Committee’s ongoing review of the financial services landscape in Northern Ireland. It follows on from a previous RaISe paper prepared for the Committee’s review - NIAR 151-24 Current Financial Services Landscape in Northern Ireland: preliminary considerations - which highlighted key themes concerning access to cash services for customers in Northern Ireland after recent bank branch closures.

Committee Event Lays Foundations for Future of Housing

Members of the Assembly Committee for Social Development met today with stakeholders from across the local housing sector to discuss the key issues surrounding the future of local housing.

Assembly Committee Engagement on 2020-21 Departmental Budget Planning

This Briefing Paper aims to support Assembly committee engagement on departmental budget planning for the new budget year, 2020-21. It highlights unique circumstances impacting on the formulation 2020-21 Executive Budget. Many are due to Northern Ireland’s Public Finance Framework under devolution (the rules), and are not within the immediate control of departments, nor the Executive. Despite challenges arising from current circumstances, this Paper is an effort both to improve openness and transparency in on-going departmental budget planning for 2020-21, and to ultimately increase government accountability through informed committee scrutiny. The Paper seeks to strategically coordinate and focus committee engagement on the Budget. Providing background information, it draws relevant linkages and identifies potential generic issues for committees’ consideration and use.

Assembly Commission Meeting (Wednesday 17 February 2016)

The Speaker has called a meeting of the Assembly Commission tomorrow (Wed 17 February) to discuss issues raised in recent days regarding the expenses regime for Assembly Members and to agree further actions to address these concerns.

Committee Publishes Report on Reservoirs Bill

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has today published its report on the Reservoirs Bill. The Committee report underlines a number of key concerns including the need for an audit on the current condition of reservoirs which will fall under the new legislation and the financial implications the requirements could pose for reservoir owners.

Assembly Committee Engagement on 2020-21 Departmental Budget Planning

This Briefing Paper aims to support Assembly committee engagement on departmental budget planning for the new budget year, 2020-21. It highlights unique circumstances impacting on the formulation 2020-21 Executive Budget. Many are due to Northern Ireland’s Public Finance Framework under devolution (the rules), and are not within the immediate control of departments, nor the Executive. Despite challenges arising from current circumstances, this Paper is an effort both to improve openness and transparency in on-going departmental budget planning for 2020-21, and to ultimately increase government accountability through informed committee scrutiny. The Paper seeks to strategically coordinate and focus committee engagement on the Budget. Providing background information, it draws relevant linkages and identifies potential generic issues for committees’ consideration and use.

Delivering Major Infrastructure Projects: Specialised project delivery bodies

In order to remain competitive and provide positive outcomes for citizens, governments have a duty to invest in infrastructure. A recent Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report has reviewed the delivery of eleven major capital projects in Northern Ireland (NI) and identified a series of issues in terms of project delivery that have resulted in delays and cost overruns. This is not an issue unique to NI; there have been a number of similar reports highlighting the complexities of delivering major infrastructure schemes elsewhere in the UK. Within the context of these reports, this paper examines what governments are doing to improve project delivery and what current structures are in place within these jurisdictions to support the delivery of major capital projects.

Committee engagement with 2023/24 departmental budgets

This Briefing Paper aims to facilitate Northern Ireland Assembly committees (statutory committees and Audit Committee), when engaging with departments near the end of the current financial year - 2023/24 – and in anticipation of a (draft) Executive Budget 2024/25 for the next financial year commencing 1 April 2024. Such committee engagement occurs after numerous developments relating to Northern Ireland budgeting and public spending have arisen since the Executive fell in February 2022 and until it returned in February 2024. The Paper’s contents are not exhaustive given variance in the information available to RaISe at the time of writing. Potential scrutiny issues are outlined throughout for the committees’ consideration when discharging their advisory and scrutiny functions.

Committee engagement with 2023/24 departmental budgets

This Briefing Paper aims to facilitate Northern Ireland Assembly committees (statutory committees and Audit Committee), when engaging with departments near the end of the current financial year - 2023/24 – and in anticipation of a (draft) Executive Budget 2024/25 for the next financial year commencing 1 April 2024. Such committee engagement occurs after numerous developments relating to Northern Ireland budgeting and public spending have arisen since the Executive fell in February 2022 and until it returned in February 2024. The Paper’s contents are not exhaustive given variance in the information available to RaISe at the time of writing. Potential scrutiny issues are outlined throughout for the committees’ consideration when discharging their advisory and scrutiny functions.

Professor Nigel J Mason

Professor Nigel J Mason

ETI Committee to be Briefed by Belfast City Airport on Seats for Sale

Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment - Media Operational Notice - ETI Committee to be Briefed by Belfast City Airport on Seats for Sale

Committee to hear from Key Stakeholders on Housing Strategy

The Committee for Social Development will hold an important Housing Strategy event on Thursday 11 April 2013 in the La Mon Hotel, Belfast.

Committee Launches Review into Anti-poverty and Social Inclusion

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has launched its Review into the Department’s Anti-poverty and Social Inclusion Programme.

7 October 2024

1 December 2022

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee to receive update from Minister

Health, Social Services and Public Safety Tuesday 10 June 2014

Social isolation and older men: meeting the need?