Deborah Erskine: Conflicting information constantly comes out in relation to BT. As I said, that is to the detriment of employees. In Enniskillen, we are seeing some jobs being re-advertised already. Again, that creates confusion. I urge the Minister to ensure that he does everything that is in his power to keep those jobs in Enniskillen. The Communication Workers Union has found that the jobs create £9...
Deborah Erskine: I want to bring the Chamber's attention again to the significant job losses that are facing people in Enniskillen in my constituency. Nearly a month ago, BT Group announced that it was considering the closure of its Enniskillen site. To say that there was mixed messaging from BT is an understatement. On the one hand, it advised BT/EE employees contracted to its site that it was considering...
Deborah Erskine: ...rail review and the Union connectivity review present a clear vision for better connectivity throughout the British Isles. Their full delivery stands to unlock opportunities for economic growth and job creation in our communities. We will work constructively with the Executive and the UK and Irish Governments to that end. We must have a robust plan in place for delivery. We have seen from...
Deborah Erskine: ...'s announcement. The A4 southern bypass is much needed for Fermanagh, as I said. It is a key infrastructure project that will stop congestion in the town and will, of course, create construction jobs, as a result of the announcement. As I said, I welcome the investment that has already been put into the project and the approval to provide £16·2 million of capital funding across 2024-25...
Deborah Erskine: Mrs Erskine asked the Minister for the Economy to urgently engage with BT regarding potential job losses at its Enniskillen site.
Deborah Erskine: I thank the Economy Minister for coming to the Chamber this evening, and I take the opportunity to congratulate him on his new role. Potentially losing 300 jobs from Enniskillen is hugely significant to my constituency, given the large proportion of workers employed by BT Group in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I regret that the Minister has not said anything publicly about that until this...
Deborah Erskine: ...members of staff who gave evidence to the Committee could not be identified. My thoughts are with those working in healthcare premises who are fearful and intimidated when simply going to do their job. My concerns about the implementation of the Bill and its enforcement have not been addressed. The police said that it would be difficult to enforce the legislation as doing so would require...
Deborah Erskine: ...with that and out of touch with practical reality. All that you have to do to understand that is to speak to the farmers in my rural constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, where this Bill puts jobs and livelihoods on the line. Northern Ireland makes up 3% of the UK population but provides around 20% of the food consumed in the United Kingdom. Fifty per cent of what we produce locally...
Deborah Erskine: ...shame on the dance floor at my wedding. Imagine if it was you, your son or your daughter, and consider the impact of that law. Disability is not a disease, but it presents challenges, and it is our job, as legislators, to ensure that those faced with such challenges have every opportunity to overcome them. A country's abortion laws would be totally condemned if they singled out babies on...
Deborah Erskine: — to do the job in hand. I have asked the Minister to bring forward proposals —
Deborah Erskine: — that will hugely mitigate the inefficient use of agencies and make the job better suited to the needs of the workforce.
Deborah Erskine: ..., and it is really exciting to see those grow. Does the Minister agree that there is a perception that careers guidance is not adequately providing students, parents or those who are searching for jobs with real-world information on what skills or qualifications are needed for jobs now and will be needed in future job markets?
Deborah Erskine: 1. Mrs Erskine asked the Minister for Communities for an update on the benefits of the Job Start scheme in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. (AQO 2622/17-22)
Deborah Erskine: Thank you for your answer, Minister. Can the Minister detail the work in her Department to sustain and improve the numbers availing themselves of the Job Start scheme in my area, given that it has excellent facilities such as the newly opened South West College in Enniskillen, which will allow people to gain new skills?