Engagement Newsletter
November 2024
Welcome to the November edition of the Assembly Newsletter. We welcome your views on this newsletter and the type of content you’d like to receive in future. Please send your comments to engagement@niassembly.gov.uk.
Since September 2024, there have been 15 plenary sessions in the Assembly Chamber, During that time, MLAs have tabled 3,729 written and 298 oral questions to Ministers and Executive Departments. You can search the topics covered by clicking on the question search below.
Legislation
Three Bills - Child Support Enforcement, Pensions (Automatic Enrolment), and the Justice 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, four Bills have received Royal Assent, meaning they have become law.
Find out more about the progress of legislation through the Assembly
Consultations
A working group comprising members of the Committee on Standards and Privileges and members of the Assembly Commission is currently seeking views on a Draft Unacceptable Behaviours Policy. This draft policy deals with complaints of inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour involving anyone working for or within the Assembly, including MLAs, Members' staff, Party staff, and Assembly Commission employees.
PAC Launch Report on Child Poverty
The Assembly's Public Accounts Committee launched its report on the Child Poverty Strategy last week. The Committee described the Department for Communities’ handling of the Child Poverty Strategy as a ‘catalogue of failures’, saying children and families were not at its heart. An extensive list of the Strategy’s shortcomings is set out in the Committee’s report, along with 11 recommendations which the Committee wants to see reflected in a new cross-departmental plan to tackle child poverty.
Read the full report: Report on Child Poverty in Northern Ireland
Women's Parliament
The NI Assembly will host a Women's Parliament on 28 February 2025. This is an opportunity for participants to raise issues that affect, impact and concern women, directly with decision-makers in the Assembly Chamber.
Your views will help identify the issues that will be raised and discussed.
Good Relations Week
To mark Good Relations Week, we were delighted to welcome four inspirational women to Parliament Buildings to tell their personal stories as part of a 'Living Library' event for MLAs and staff. The theme was a call to action to create a brighter, inclusive future for all; to build a region where every voice matters; and to put a spotlight on the transformative power of working together.
Assembly Explained Workshops
The Engagement Team has held 18 workshops with community groups and public sector organisations since September 2024. The team has visited Foyle, East Londonderry, North Antrim, North Down and West Tyrone constituencies as part of the outreach programme, aiming to encourage more people across NI to get involved in the work of the Assembly.
Assembly Explained Workshops
The workshops give a short overview on what the Assembly is, how it works, and how to have your voice heard.
To book an Assembly Explained Workshop in Parliament Buildings, online, or as an outreach session in your community please click the link below.
