This week in the Assembly - 6 October 2008

Monday 6 October 2008

Questions to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson will ask the Minister when he next intends to meet with representatives of the main supermarkets about the availability of cheap alcohol.

Mid-Ulster MLA Michelle O'Neill will ask the Minister what action he is taking to protect children and vulnerable adults under the interim arrangements in place, due to delays in the processing of applications by Access NI.

Questions to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

West Tyrone MLA Claire McGill will ask the Minister what plans she has to publicise the new rural development programme.

North Belfast MLA Caral Ni Chuilin will ask for details of the neighbourhood renewal posts and services that the Minister's Department will fund from March 2009.

Questions to the Minister for Social Development

West Tyrone MLA Allan Bresland will ask the Minister to outline her strategy for the future development of the community and voluntary sector.

MLA Sean Neeson (East Antrim) will ask when proposals will be brought forward by the Minister to assist people living in social housing who are most vulnerable to fuel poverty.

MLA Carmel Hanna (South Belfast) will ask for an update on the work of the Fuel Poverty Task Force.

East Belfast MLA Naomi Long will ask the Minister what action she is taking to alleviate fuel poverty.

In light of the caps made to the "Supporting People" budget, South Belfast MLA Anna Lo will ask the Minister what measures she is taking to aid vulnerable people in need of support housing.

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey will ask the Minister what budget her Department has set aside for the transfer of responsibility for neighbourhood renewal to local councils.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher will ask the Minister to outline any initiatives she is taking in her Department to promote a Shared Future.

MLA for East Belfast Dawn Purvis will ask the Minister when she will publish proposals for consultation on the Warm Homes Scheme.

East Londonderry MLA Adrian McQuillan will ask the Minister how the uptake of the warm home scheme in rural areas compares with uptake figures in urban areas.

Private Members' Business

Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration

SDLP MLAs Dolores Kelly, Alban Maginness and Carmel Hanna have proposed a joint motion that "this Assembly expresses its concern at the delayed publication of the Strategy for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration; calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to publish their strategy without further delay and to detail how this strategy will promote reconciliation, the ideal of a truly shared future and how it will help the Executive's commitment to eradicate poverty."

Comber Greenway

East Belfast MLAs Dawn Purvis and Naomi Long have proposed a joint motion that "this Assembly acknowledges the health benefits that outdoor exercise offers children and adults, including positive mental well-being; recognises that safe walking and cycling routes contribute greatly to this and are in short supply in urban areas; and calls on the Minister of Regional Development to preserve safe pedestrian and cyclist access on the Comber Greenway."

Tuesday 7 October 2008

Private Members' Business

Cuts in Ambulance Services

Alliance MLAs Kieran McCarthy and Anna Lo have proposed a joint motion that "this Assembly notes the proposals to reduce the level of ambulance service provision and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to find savings elsewhere and to agree not to reduce the ambulance cover."

Opportunities for Special Needs School Leavers

DUP MLAs William McCrea and David Simpson have proposed a joint motion that "this Assembly calls upon the Minister for Employment and Learning to provide the opportunities and support necessary to ensure that young people leaving special needs schools at 16 and over 19 years of age can further their education and aspire, where appropriate, to meaningful employment."

Committee Business

Click here to see full Assembly Committee Business Diary

Tuesday 7 October 2008

10.30am - Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee
12.30pm - Business Committee
1.30pm - Agriculture & Rural Development Committee

Wednesday 8 October 2008

10.00am - Education Committee
10.00am - Finance and Personnel Committee
10.30am - Regional Development Committee
10.30am - Employment and Learning Committee
2.00pm - OFMDFM Committee

Thursday 9 October 2008

10.00am Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee
10.30am Environment Committee
10.30am Enterprise, Trade and Industry Committee
2.00pm Public Accounts Committee
2.00pm Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee