Nichola Mallon: A lot of that is contained in the Living with Water programme. A number of the flood alleviation schemes that we are working on are also trying to address that issue. The Member may know that, through my blue-green infrastructure fund, we are funding a number of pilot projects to find natural drainage solutions. I am mindful of the scheme at Belfast Castle, for example, where ponds have been...
Nichola Mallon: The Member highlights the challenges that are presented by unadopted roads. A study that was done several years ago identified that, at prices as they were then, it would require £300 million to bring streets up to adopted standards. The Member will also know of the financial challenges that face the Department and wider Executive. In principle, areas can be brought up to adoptable standard....
Nichola Mallon: The Department's response is that we have to adopt a consistent and fair approach across Northern Ireland. I am sure that the Member has been engaging closely with my officials over quite some time. If she wants to write to me specifically, I am happy to take a look at it. In order to manage expectations, however, I caveat that by saying that there are set criteria that we must apply fairly,...
Nichola Mallon: The Department and the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) have examined that issue. The reason for the current location of theory test centres is to ensure that they are within a set distance no matter where you live in the North. The second consideration is to balance the need for the provision of extra centres and the additional costs that would be incurred by people who want to sit their...
Nichola Mallon: I will address the first issue. In just over nine months since driving tests resumed, from April 2021 to 31 January 2022, the DVA conducted 52,805 driving tests. That is more than 91% of the number of tests conducted in 2018-19, which was the last full year when driving tests were not affected by COVID-19 restrictions. We have been able to achieve that record high level of driving tests...
Nichola Mallon: The additional examiners who are being recruited will be allocated on the basis of need and demand for the service. I reassure the Member of that.
Nichola Mallon: The Member will be aware that we have published the report on the call for evidence for a move to two-year testing for certain categories of vehicle. There was significant majority support among the public for a move to biennial testing, so I have asked my officials to engage with all the key stakeholders to explore the steps that are needed to make progress on the matter. It would require a...
Nichola Mallon: I took the decision to freeze the fares across our public transport network because the truth is that families are really struggling to make ends meet. People face higher food bills and higher energy bills. They struggle to heat and light their homes. I was determined that public transport would not add to that financial burden and the spiralling cost of living. I hope that the decision goes...
Nichola Mallon: The Member will know that the Taxis Act 2008 was introduced and agreed by the Assembly. Since becoming Minister, I have received requests from people in the wedding car industry and the funeral industry, as well as taxi drivers and taxi operators. It is clear that there should be a comprehensive review of the Taxis Act to give consideration to all those requests for changes. With fewer than...
Nichola Mallon: I met industry representatives, and I gave careful consideration to their requests for change. I sought legal advice on that as well. As I said, I have also received multiple requests for changes to the Taxis Act. The best and most comprehensive way of dealing with that is a thorough and robust review of the Taxis Act. That is why I said that, whoever the Minister may be, whether it is me or...
Nichola Mallon: My officials have been working hard on that and have issued a consultation exercise. The challenge is that the road safety strategy could be considered to be cross-cutting. In the absence of the Executive being able to meet and agree, there could be a delay in that important work. That serves nobody's interests. I assure the Member that I will continue to take action to improve road safety,...
Nichola Mallon: We are giving careful consideration to all the responses to that consultation exercise. The Member is right: that target was highlighted in the consultation response. Varied views were provided , so we are giving careful consideration to it. I assure the Member that I want to make sure that the strategy has ambitious targets that we can work to deliver. Our careful consideration of that is...
Nichola Mallon: I thank the Member for her question. The Member will know that I have conducted an independent assurance test review to ensure that the York Street interchange is fit for purpose and sits with Executive strategies and 'A Bolder Vision for Belfast'. We must make sure that it takes cognisance of the climate emergency. I am also clear that, as well as working for those who will use it, the...
Nichola Mallon: I am keen to publish the report as soon as possible. It is also important, though, that we have engagement with local stakeholders and the local community. That work is ongoing. As soon as that is complete, I will move to publish the report and clearly identify the next steps for this hugely strategic and important project.
Nichola Mallon: The Member will recall that that work was initiated by my establishment of a ministerial advisory panel to examine the role of and advantages that would be delivered by an infrastructure commission in Northern Ireland. There was overwhelming support for that among the business and environmental sectors. The optimum approach is to have an infrastructure commission that is able to advise the...
Nichola Mallon: Following the legal challenge to the asphalt resurfacing contracts competition, my Department has been working at pace to implement a new interim-term contract strategy to ensure that much-needed resurfacing work is carried out in the areas affected by delays. The new strategy consists of four phases with six new term contracts in each. Procurement of the first phase is well progressed. That...
Nichola Mallon: I recognise that that is an issue, which is why I have increased funding to the rural roads initiative by 50%. Some £17 million is in that fund, which is the highest allocation for a specific rural roads initiative to date. On safety, I reassure you that routine safety inspections and subsequent safety-related repairs are still being completed across the network. They are not impacted on by...
Nichola Mallon: I reassure the Member that the interim procurement strategy was developed with the engagement of the construction sector; in fact, the construction sector asked for an extension so that it could provide all the information that was required to tender for the contract. I reassure the Member that we continue to have close engagement with the construction industry because it is vital in making...
Nichola Mallon: The issue does have relevance. [Interruption.] Members know that I came to the House to say that I was concerned about the Northstone judgement and, as a result, have initiated an independent investigation. Sarah Hannaford QC is conducting that investigation. I expect to receive a report in the coming weeks, and I have committed to coming to the Assembly to provide Members with an update....
Nichola Mallon: I remind the Member, as I have done in correspondence with him, that this year saw the highest ever capital spend by my Department, compared to any other Department, up to this point. Therefore, we started from a position where we were spending record sums of money. The Member also knows that, throughout the year, I made a number of bids which were, unfortunately, unsuccessful. However, we...