Question Time: Communities Tuesday 16 February 2021
Channel: Northern Ireland Assembly
Date: 2021-02-16

Deirdre Hargey, Minister for Communities answering questions in the Assembly Chamber 16 February 2021. Read the Official Report (Hansard) - https://lk.nia.fyi/33mJ

Each of the questions answered have been chaptered in the video to help you find them more easily.

Chapters / Questions
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00:00 - Question 1 - Mr Humphrey asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the Shankill gateway public realm scheme, including the current position on the allocation of funding. (AQO 1553/17-22)

05:03 - Question 2 - Mr Dickson asked the Minister for Communities whether she will consider making changes to statutory sick pay (SSP), to provide adequate support for people who have to self-isolate or shield because of COVID-19. (AQO 1554/17-22)

15:27 - Question 3 - Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister for Communities for the total number of unsuccessful applications to the COVID mitigation schemes administered by her Department. (AQO 1555/17-22)

26:28 - Question 4 - Mr Chambers asked the Minister for Communities for an update on her Department’s engagement with the GAA in relation to the development of Casement Park. (AQO 1556/17-22)

31:06 - Topical Question 1 - T1. Mr Chambers asked the Minister for Communities what steps she has taken to ensure that those healthcare workers who have received the £500 acknowledgement and those healthcare students who have received the £2,000 acknowledgement from the Health Minister will not see that money have an adverse effect on any social security or income support benefit that they may already be in receipt of. (AQT 981/17-22)

33:38 - Topical Question 2 - T2. Mr Humphrey asked the Minister for Communities, given that she will be aware that he has written to her about a site on the Ballysillan Road at Sunningdale, which has lain empty since the maisonettes were demolished, and over which there seems to be an impasse between her Department and the Housing Executive, whether she will intervene to ensure that the site is developed for the benefit of the community and does not become an environmental blight. (AQT 982/17-22)

Topical Questions
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36:03 - Topical Question 3 - T3. Mr Nesbitt asked the Minister for Communities how many people are benefiting from welfare reform mitigations such as the so-called bedroom tax and the benefits cap. (AQT 983/17-22)

38:28 - Topical Question 4 - T4. Ms Brogan asked the Minister for Communities, given the recent attack on the Belfast Multicultural Association building and the ongoing issues of exclusion, inequality and racism faced by the BAME community, whether she agrees that political leaders have a responsibility to show zero tolerance for racism in our society. (AQT 984/17-22)

41:48 - Topical Question 5 -T5. Mr Storey asked the Minister for Communities, after thanking her for her continued work and that of her officials and her predecessor to assist the North Antrim Village Forum in his constituency, whether she can confirm that the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, based in the village of Armoy, will receive funding through the Heritage Recovery Fund, following the announcement yesterday of the 50 heritage organisations that will receive funding. (AQT 985/17-22)

46:00 - Topical Question 7 - T7. Mr Sheehan asked the Minister for Communities when she anticipates approval of the business case for Casement Park and to state the next steps in the process, given that, as a great advocate for the new Casement Park, she will be aware that the building of the new facility is greatly anticipated in west Belfast and among the GAA and sporting fraternity. (AQT 987/17-22)