Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I ask the Minister what type of funding is available to support artists internationally.
Ian Milne: T5. Mr Milne asked the Minister of Finance and Personnel whether she agrees that the rates revaluation process needs to be enshrined in legislation so that we no longer have the 10-year revaluation, which, in his opinion, has an adverse effect on businesses, which like to operate with certainty and less risk. (AQT 3255/11-16)
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. Does she agree with me that the rates review needs to look at reliefs that could boost hospitality and ensure more growth and job creation in that area to prevent a similar situation happening?
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank Mrs Overend for securing the Adjournment debate. I also extend my sincere condolences to you and your family on the recent death of your grandmother. We live with an ageing population. That is great news for all of us, but it also presents a number of challenges for older people and society as a whole if we are to make the process of...
Ian Milne: I thank the Member for his intervention, and I do welcome that. Anything that assists our elderly population there has to be welcome. I acknowledge the community and voluntary sector, which runs a number of successful projects in local areas. I recently met Agewell, based in Magherafelt, which provides an invaluable "good morning" service that reassures people that they will be contacted...
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I would like to apologise to the Minister, the House and you for not being here for the start of the debate, but I want to make a few general comments regarding the Rural Needs Bill at Second Stage. It is a very important piece of legislation, and, in my opinion, it is long overdue. I am also delighted that the consultation with stakeholders and the...
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. At this stage, it has all been said, but, for the record, I will carry on with what I have here. We have only recently been given this Bill. I thank Mr Beggs for the presentation that he made to the Committee on Tuesday. He was very thorough in his rationale for bringing forward this private Member's Bill. I do not think that anyone...
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Is the Minister confident that the scheme will not be subject to a legal challenge by the unions?
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Has her Department engaged in any preparatory work with farmers, as the previous Member asked, in anticipation of opening other schemes or any schemes?
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. The question is about Upper Bann. How many new social homes are required to be built in Upper Bann between now and 2020 to address the current housing need?
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas don Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. Can the Minister provide an even more in-depth update on where the Stormont House Agreement commitment to establish a commission on flags, identity, culture and tradition currently sits?
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on the current crisis within the agriculture industry. I welcome the fact that the motion recognises that it affects all the sectors, not just the dairy sector. The fall in prices and the impact that that is having on farm families and the wider economy has been well documented. I do not want to...
Ian Milne: Whilst agreement has still to be reached on a preferred methodology, there is widespread consensus among interested rural groups that the current system is not accurately measuring poverty and deprivation in rural areas. I join my party colleagues in calling on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to bring forward the review as a matter of urgency.
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I begin by acknowledging the work that the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has conducted to date as part of the Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Inclusion (TRPSI) review. I found the presentations and discussions that followed very informative indeed. I also record my thanks to the research team for preparing the pack...
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I also welcome the statement and thank the Minister for presenting it to us this afternoon. How beneficial will the Commission's focus on tackling the supply chain challenges be for the local industry?
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I agree with the view expressed across the way on the Minister's willingness to allow time to consider further the amendment proposed by Mrs Overend. It is important to get everything right if it is not already right and to have unity in the Chamber on all these matters, because we have the best interests of young people across the board at heart....
Ian Milne: 2. Mr Milne asked the Minister of the Environment whether his department will implement the key recommendations from the Committee for the Environment's inquiry into wind energy [NIA 226/11-16]. (AQO 8518/11-15)
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his very detailed answer thus far. Do he and his Department work to a specific definition of cumulative impact in relation to wind turbines and saturation levels in particular areas?
Ian Milne: T5. Mr Milne asked the Minister of Education how many teaching posts are being supressed in this financial year as part of the voluntary exit scheme. (AQT 2705/11-15)
Ian Milne: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra go dtí seo. How many teachers are in our schools now as opposed to three years ago due to reductions in budgets over recent years?