Engagement Newsletter
December 2024
Welcome to the December 2024 edition of the Assembly Engagement Newsletter. We welcome your views on this newsletter and the type of content you’d like to receive in future. Please send your feedback and comments to engagement@niassembly.gov.uk.
The Assembly began its Christmas recess on 14th December. Normal business will resume on 6th January, with the first plenary session of 2025 scheduled for Monday 13th January. Assembly business happens throughout the year, with four scheduled breaks called "recess" at Halloween, Christmas, Easter, and the Summer. During recess, there are normally no meetings in the Chamber and no committee meetings. However, MLAs continue to work on your behalf in their constituencies.
On behalf of the Engagement Team, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
Legislation
The Justice Bill and the Agriculture Bill are currently at Committee Stage. This is where the relevant Statutory Committee considers the Bill in detail, takes evidence (from experts, stakeholders and the general public), and produces a report, which may propose amendments.
So far in this mandate, two Bills - Child Support Enforcement, and Pensions (Automatic Enrolment) have completed Committee Stage and four Bills have received Royal Assent, meaning they have become law.
Find out how laws are made in the Northern Ireland Assembly by watching our video here.
Consultations
Most primary legislation that passes through the Northern Ireland Assembly is brought forward by the relevant Minister, however bills can also be introduced by an individual Member. These are called Non-Executive or Members' Bill proposals. Members' Bills offer individual MLAs the chance to introduce legislation independently from Executive departments. These bills follow the same scrutiny process as Executive Bills following introduction. A number of these are currently seeking public consultation.
Mini-Inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education
The Education Committee is hosting a mini-inquiry into Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in Northern Ireland. All pupils (up to the age of 16) must be taught RSE.
It helps pupils learn about themselves and others and to develop socially. RSE also teaches children and young people about healthy relationships and staying safe. It can include topics such as: consent, contraception and online safety.
The goals of this inquiry are to:
- Understand how this subject is taught in other parts of the UK, Ireland and internationally;
- Understand what the teaching of RSE is like across Northern Ireland; and
- Understand if changes need to be made to RSE in Northern Ireland and if so, what this should look like.
There are two versions of the survey available.
- If you are a child or young person, please complete this version of the survey [EXTERNAL LINK]
- If you are a parent or teacher, please complete this version of the survey [EXTERNAL LINK]
The survey closes on 8th January 2025.
Review of Access to Palliative Care Services for Organisations/Health Professionals
The Assembly’s Health Committee is holding an inquiry into palliative care services in Northern Ireland. The Committee wants to:
- Develop its understanding of the current provision of palliative and hospice care;
- Find out more about the challenges in the provision of, and access to, this type of care; and
- Learn more about excellence in palliative and hospice care by identifying examples of best practice.
The Committee is keen to hear from patients and their families on their experience of accessing palliative care services in Northern Ireland and who are willing to share the insight they have gained from their experience. The Committee also wants to hear from the organisations and staff that provide this important care.
In the short survey they will seek your views on accessing services in order to identify gaps in services and areas where services can be improved. The Committee will make recommendations that will seek to ensure sustainable funding and high-quality care for patients with life-limiting illnesses.
The Committee will use the outcome of its inquiry to advise the Health Minister on the future of palliative and hospice care provision.
The survey closes on 10th January 2025.
Assembly Explained Workshops Our Year in Review
In 2024, the Engagement Team held 59 workshops with community and voluntary groups. 38 of these took place in Parliament Buildings, 18 as outreach events in local constituencies and three were virtual, online sessions. More than 1,000 people and 25 MLAs participated in the workshops. We have visited twelve constituencies as part of our new outreach programme, aiming to encourage more people across NI to get involved in the work of the Assembly.
The workshops last around two hours and give a short overview on what the Assembly is, how it works, and how to have your voice heard. They also include an interactive demo of the NI Assembly website. The sessions are suitable for everyone and tailored to each group. No prior knowledge of the Assembly is required.
To book an Assembly Explained Workshop in Parliament Buildings, online, or as an outreach session in your community please click the link below.
