Sean Lynch: T3. Mr Lynch asked the Minister for the Economy whether he will meet with officials from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council to re-examine the scope of Project Stratum, given that, when he talks to people across different sectors in his constituency, particularly in Fermanagh, including farmers, businesspeople, students and families, who have poor access to broadband, it is clear that that...
Sean Lynch: I thank the Minister for his answer and for giving an undertaking to meet officials on the matter. The Audit Office reported that the Department could claim back £14 million from BT in relation to previous broadband schemes. Does the Minister agree that any clawback of public money should be directed towards improving broadband in rural areas such as Fermanagh?
Sean Lynch: T7. Mr Lynch asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether the joint First Minister will take this opportunity to reiterate her commitment to New Decade, New Approach (NDNA). (AQT 1477/17-22)
Sean Lynch: I thank the joint First Minister for her answer. As the Minister said, NDNA is the basis on which we re-established these institutions. Does the Minister agree that the DUP's decision to vote against a motion to establish a simultaneous translation service in the Assembly was an act of gross bad faith?
Sean Lynch: Minister, I want to go back to the restoration of the Ulster canal. That is a project on my doorstep that will be a major boost to the economy in the east Fermanagh/Clones area. Given that the Ulster canal greenway has missed its target date of 2021, what assurances can you give that the Ulster canal project itself will meet its delivery targets?
Sean Lynch: Minister, I welcome the soil sampling results that show that soil management has improved by 60%. Do you have the capacity and resources to continue with the catchment-based approach?
Sean Lynch: Tá mé ag éirí chun tacú leis an rún. I rise to support the motion and oppose the amendment. The motion is about the implementation of New Decade, New Approach, which was the basis for the restoration of these institutions. If we want the public to have faith and confidence in the institutions, we need to be able to demonstrate that agreements that have been made will be honoured. NDNA...
Sean Lynch: 12. Mr Lynch asked the Assembly Commission what plans are in place for the safe reopening of Parliament Buildings to visitors and members of the public when we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. (AQO 2237/17-22)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas seo. I thank the Minister for her statement. My question follows on from Mr Nesbitt's. It seems that the contracts were given out without written records, and the same issue of written records came up with the DVA faults. Can the Minister indicate that that is no longer accepted practice in the Department?
Sean Lynch: T1. Mr Lynch asked the Minister for the Economy, who will know that, over the past year, students’ unions have been appealing to her to provide support to those students who have been excluded from receiving the COVID-19 study disruption grant, to give a commitment to including those students in any further money that not only do they deserve but need. (AQT 1381/17-22)
Sean Lynch: I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, can you confirm that the 100 master's degree bursaries that you recently announced will be available for students seeking to study the Irish language and translation services?
Sean Lynch: 3. Mr Lynch asked the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the review of decisions for area-based schemes applications. (AQO 2106/17-22)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. I represent a rural constituency, and this issue can impact on farmers' mental health. Will the Minister and his Department, with other agencies, mitigate the impact on farmers?
Sean Lynch: I thank the Minister for his answer. I am sorry for the confusion, Minister. What I have asked you to do is to step up your engagement with the qualifying bodies to ensure that those qualifications are there for Irish-medium students.
Sean Lynch: Ceist uimhir a sé. Question 6.
Sean Lynch: Sorry about that.
Sean Lynch: 5. Mr Lynch asked the Minister of Education for an update on the provision of BTEC qualifications through the medium of Irish. (AQO 1735/17-22)
Sean Lynch: 5. Mr Lynch asked the Minister for the Economy for an update on alternative arrangements for vocational assessment for BTEC students. (AQO 1720/17-22)
Sean Lynch: I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, as you said, a decision was made on A-level exams in January, yet BTEC students have been left waiting for full clarity on their assessments. In light of your statement on Friday, how will you ensure that grades for practical assessments are awarded before the end of the academic year?
Sean Lynch: Given the positive impact of the initiatives that you mentioned in your statement, Minister, do you intend to increase the level of collaborative work with the Department of Health?
