Northern Ireland Assembly, 11 March 2014

394 contributions from 68 members. The official report.

Assembly Business

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Before we move to today's business, I once again inform the House that the information screens in the corridors and elsewhere in Parliament Buildings are still experiencing some technical difficulties. I assure the House that we hope to have them fixed as soon as possible. Members may wish to be kept updated with business in some other way in the meantime. I apologise to the House for the difficulties that Members are experiencing with the television screens.

Ministerial Statements

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle.

A Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom ráiteas a dhéanamh leis an Tionól ar an cheist chriticiúil faoin dóigh a measúnaítear, a n-aontaítear agus a dtuairiscítear foghlaim ár ndaoine óga. I would like to make a statement to the Assembly on the critical issue of how our young people’s learning is assessed, recognised and reported. At each stage of their education, it is important that we know how our children are progressing. Teachers, school leaders, parents and children all have an interest in how our education system is delivering for our young people. The level of information that each needs is, of course, not the same, but the principle of knowing how well our system is meeting our needs remains. It follows therefore that our arrangements for assessing pupils and evaluating our system must be appropriate. It was for that reason that I was keen for us to be part of a much wider OECD review of evaluation and assessment frameworks and their contribution to school improvement.

I thank the OECD team that visited us in February/March last year and published its report on 10 December. I encourage all Members with an interest in education to take a close look at that report, as it tells a very positive story. The OECD observed many points where our approach to pupil assessment and school and system evaluation was in line with international best practice. I want to use the OECD report to inform a number of significant pieces of work that are going on at the moment.

I will start with pupil assessment because it had become a matter of concern and attention prior to the OECD visit and is an area in which considerable work is already going on. First, I want to address the issue of computer-based assessment (CBA) in our primary schools. We currently make available an interactive assessment tool free of charge to all primary schools. Its purpose is to help teachers to improve outcomes for children in literacy and numeracy and to provide information to parents on how they can support their children's learning in those critical areas. The practice of having this sort of universal, formative assessment in primary schools, mapped to our curriculum and delivered at the start of the academic year, is noted with approval by the OECD, so the policy is sound. However, it follows that a sound policy is no good if its implementation is not up to scratch. The procurement of the new assessment tools, NILA and NINA, and schools' experience of using them were not without difficulty. That was highlighted in the OECD report and well documented elsewhere. As the Assembly knows, I commissioned a small team of specialists to review the different aspects of the computer-based assessment programme and advise on how it may be taken forward. The report, by John Harkin and Jonathan Hudson, will today be published on the DE website. It is highly critical in places, but I believe that, together with the experiences and learning from other countries that have gone down this route — not without their own difficulties — it provides us with a solid basis on which to advance this work.

The report makes a number of key recommendations, and I have accepted all of them. Given the difficulties that we have experienced, simply abandoning CBA might seem attractive to critics. That would be the easy way out. The fact is that OECD's report commends our work to introduce a centrally developed, computer-based assessment tool that is used for diagnostic purposes. Our challenge is not to walk away but to walk forward and address these issues head-on. We will do just that.

What does this mean for schools come the new school year? Until I am absolutely satisfied that the system works for schools, I will not specify the current NILA and NINA tools. In other words, schools will not be legally obliged to use them. However, I hope that they will choose voluntarily to use them and continue to share their experiences so that CCEA, C2k and others can continually improve the service that they offer to schools. While the OECD report signals the risk of over-reliance on commercial tests that are not aligned to the curriculum, it also acknowledges the benefits of a centrally provided tool that is designed against our curriculum. I believe that there is continued benefit for schools in using a bespoke assessment. For that reason, NILA and NINA will continue to be available to all primary schools on a voluntary basis in 2014-15.

As we consider future policy options, I am determined that procurement policies need to work for us, not against us. We will ensure that that happens. The independent review emphasised the importance of building our expertise in procurement and economic appraisal so that we deliver what was always intended: a solution that meets of the needs of teachers and pupils.

I move on to end of key stage assessments. Reliable, consistent teacher assessment that has the confidence of parents, principals and teachers remains my objective. I do not believe that teacher assessment at that level can or should be replaced by standardised testing. Parents need to have the rounded and nuanced picture that only a teacher can provide. Our approach to end of key stage assessment was designed with the involvement and support of teachers and their representatives, but, in its implementation, we again appear to have lost some ground.

The OECD report recognises the value of assessment of pupils by their teachers against the levels of progression that relate to the revised curriculum. The report also identifies that we need to do more to build the confidence of teachers in the process of standardisation, assessment and moderation. I want officials to continue their engagement with teachers and their representatives to discuss and develop the practice of pupil assessment in the context of the agreed levels of progression. Given the ongoing commitment to dialogue, I ask teacher unions to reconsider the need for continued industrial action in opposition to assessment arrangements that have been acknowledged at an international level as being sound and congruent with European practice.

I want to make it clear that, at system level, we do not make judgements about schools based on the percentage of pupils who achieve or do not achieve at the expected level. Our processes of evaluation and, indeed, inspection are much more sophisticated than that. A below-average performance might generate some questions about whether a school needs support, just as a high performance might generate interest in finding out more about a school's approach. However, it is the answers to those questions — understanding the context in which the school operates — that is key. In that regard, I want to scotch some of the myths that have sprung up about inspection.

External school evaluation is broad, is based on quality assurances and emphasises school improvement. The district inspector system is appreciated by schools and can provide timely qualitative feedback. Classroom observation is a core part of school evaluation, and the principle of using that important first-hand evidence is well established. There is also well-established and tailored support for schools to promote the use of data in self-evaluation activities. ETI good practice reports in areas such as literacy and numeracy and practitioner-led conferences promote professional reflection and the dissemination of existing good practice.

When our young people get to the age of 16, there is increased formality in how their progress is assessed and rewarded. That is done through the awarding of qualifications that have a wider status when it comes to further and higher education and to training and employment. Members will also have an interest in how I plan to respond to the review of GCSEs and A levels that CCEA carried out and the report that resulted from that exercise. The report was published for consultation in the autumn, and, in light of the responses received, I confirm that I have accepted all 49 recommendations in the report. I have tasked officials to work with CCEA and other stakeholders to organise the implementation of those recommendations and call for action. Some actions have already begun, and others are to be taken forward in the longer term.

I would like to express my thanks to the members of the expert group who were involved in the development of proposals up to now and, I hope, will continue to be involved in the longer-term visioning to follow.

Our young people must have access to qualifications that enable them to follow pathways to further study, training and employment, including those that will take them outside this jurisdiction. I have no intention of acting in a way that will disadvantage our young people wanting to study across these islands. Indeed, I believe that my decision to retain the coupling of AS and A2 in a modular A level has already provided a genuine advantage to those applying to universities in England, which value AS marks as indicators of potential overall performance.

One issue that I had to consider very carefully is whether the changes being made elsewhere are so great that they might affect our ability to maintain an open qualifications market for schools. I want to make it clear that I can see value in ensuring that schools have access to as wide a range and choice of qualifications as possible. Therefore, I do not intend to restrict schools here to qualifications offered by CCEA and WJEC. Schools will continue to be free to choose exam specifications from other awarding organisations, provided that those organisations can satisfy us that they meet the requirements of our curriculum. I expect that, in the majority of subject areas, that will not be problematic. However, I want to make clear my position on GCSE English.

As has been noted previously and favourably commented on by the OECD, our curriculum has a focus on knowledge and skills. Our focus on literacy therefore encompasses not just reading and writing but the wider skill of communication. Employers and their representative organisations frequently stress to me the importance of ensuring that young people can communicate effectively and can apply their knowledge in practical settings. Qualifications in English at GCSE will only be considered valid for our young people if they include, as an integral part of the award, the assessment of speaking and listening. Those are fundamental aspects of the skill being assessed by the qualifications and required by any employer.

With the same concerns in mind, I will be paying close attention to the development of science exam specifications in England. If they cease to include practical assessment, I shall have to consider what adjustments might be needed to meet our needs before such qualifications can be offered here. I hope that my clear view, as set out today, will allow schools to make plans in advance of the proposed introduction of the new science specifications in England.

I am also not persuaded that CCEA’s GCSE qualifications should be banded from 1 to 9, replacing the existing A* to G grades. Nevertheless, I shall keep this issue under review in order to ensure that no pupil is disadvantaged.

On school evaluation, I want to return, in conclusion, to a point that I made earlier. The progress that our pupils make and the qualifications that they achieve are important benchmarks for our education system, just as they are in most other countries. It would be naive to say that we should not seek to measure how our pupils progress in critical areas such as communication and mathematics and that we should not use those measures to assess the effectiveness of our policies. However, it would also be naive to think that these are the only measures that we can have.

As parents, we know that school is about so much more than the achievement of levels or qualifications. With this in mind, I have asked my officials to undertake further work on a potential basket of performance measures, both for schools and the system overall. We want to explore whether we can come up with an approach that would allow us to draw more sophisticated conclusions about the quality of our system than are possible from looking purely at exam results or assessment outcomes. We want to involve teachers and school leaders in that work.

The challenge of measuring the wider value of schooling is one that is being grappled with in many countries, with varying degrees of success. However, we have already shown ourselves to be capable of coming up with approaches to assessment and school improvement that are among the best in the world, and I think we are up to that challenge.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I have to say to the House that I am disappointed that the Minister's statement is not about the most pressing issue in our schools: funding. We still await the Minister making a statement to the House on the common funding formula.

I move to the statement that is before us. The Minister made a number of references to the OECD report on evaluation and assessment frameworks. I am glad that he acknowledges the gap between the policy intention of things like computer-based assessment and the levels of progression and the experience on the ground, with teachers in our schools outworking these policies.

I am sure that the Committee will study with interest the report that has been published on the Department's website. I think, however, that the Minister owes many of the teachers an apology, especially those to whom he referred as "will nots" in regard to the implementation of a failed computer-based assessment process. Will the Minister confirm whether he accepts all the findings of the OECD report, including its assertion that there is an imbalance between the challenge provided by the Education and Training Inspectorate and the greatly diminished level of pastoral and supportive assessments and backup for teachers in our schools available through CASS and the district inspectors?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for his question. I assure him that schools will be informed of their common funding allocations, as has been normal practice in previous years. That will be done in the very near future.

In relation to the report published today on my Department's website, which I referred to in my statement as highly critical, it was commissioned by me. In fact, it was the second report I commissioned into finding out what exactly went wrong in the implementation of computer-based assessment. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt from the report. I have no doubt that Committee will, rightly, interrogate that report closely. I assure the Committee of my Department's full cooperation on that. If the Committee requires any further information, it will be provided. Mistakes were made at many levels in many parts of my own organisation and organisations outside the direct control of the Department. Those lessons are being learnt. I assure the Member that, from my point of view, there will be no headlong rush to replace the current NINA and NILA systems until I am satisfied that all those lessons have been learnt; that the procurement exercise can be carried out in a way that ensures that all the skills bases that we require are in the procurement team; and that the next system, wherever it may come from — it may be in-house or from an external provider — is fit for purpose.

Regarding apologising to teachers for my comments during previous debates that there were elements of "will not", there were elements of "will not carry out the computer-based assessments". Of course, there was evidence of "could not", and that is not good enough. When we provide a system to schools, purchased through public funds and endorsed by the Department, I expect it not only to work in its practical settings but to provide the information necessary for teachers to perform their tasks and for parents to allow them to support their children in home learning.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister indeed for his statement. On the back of the Chair's comments on the OECD review and given recent developments surrounding St Pat's, Armagh, will the Minister outline what the OECD review said about selection in our education system?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for his question. I beg his indulgence because there was one point in the Chair's question that I did not respond to about the OECD and its comments about support to schools. I acknowledge and support the recommendation of the OECD that we have to ensure that we have the proper supports in place for our schools for continuous teacher development and support. I assure the Member that, in the period ahead, there will be announcements about how we propose to move forward with that.

I return to Mr Hazzard's question. The OECD touched on academic selection. As is best practice across Europe and internationally, it is shown that academic selection is not the best way forward for our education system. I welcome yesterday's decision by St Patrick's Grammar School in Armagh to move away from academic selection. It is a bold step, but it shows that, for a school dedicated to quality education, as were the three schools in Lurgan the week before, it can and will be provided in the absence of academic selection.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Thanks to the Minister for his statement. Minister, assessment is useful only if it informs teaching and learning. Your statement says:

"The report also identifies that we need to do more to build the confidence of teachers".

Have we ever really looked into why teachers have no confidence in this system? As a teacher who taught maths for 30 years, I frankly think that the end of Key Stage 3 assessments were irrelevant at that stage. This is simply not fit for purpose. Minister, at the end of Key Stage 2, a child with a level 4 in English can have a standard score of anywhere —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to come to his question.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

— between 94 and 125. There are miles between those two scores. Minister, when will there be a root-and-branch review of the end of key stage assessments?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

There has been a root-and-branch review of end of key stage assessment. I brought in the internationally respected OECD to take a look at it. I do not think that I could be asked to do much more in looking at our assessment system. They are saying to us that the assessment systems are fit for purpose but we have to work with teachers and professionals in schools to ensure that they have confidence in them. I have committed to doing that. Over this last period of months, we have been involved in detailed discussions and negotiations around this matter with teachers' representatives. We are making progress. We have made changes along the way to accommodate the genuine concerns raised by teachers and their representatives. We continue to meet teachers' representatives, and meetings are scheduled for the next couple of weeks on that matter.

This is a process involving discussions with many interested bodies, including the Education Committee, which endorsed the process and allowed it to move forward. We all accept that there have been lessons learned since then and that teachers have raised valid concerns about levels of progression, but let us not throw the baby out with the bath water. Let us correct it and make sure that it moves forward in a way that everyone can have confidence in.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I welcome much that is in the Minister's statement, particularly the independent review of CBA and the review of the GCSEs and his approach to it. However, I wonder why we were not able to see the Harkin and Hudson report so that we could ask questions on it today.

Following the Chair's point, my question is about the time that teachers have. I welcome the fact that the Minister wants to involve them more, but, to allow us to get the absolute best from them, is anyone in the Department looking at the time that teachers have to do all the work that is thrown at them in the form of guidance and consultations? They do a fantastic job, but who is studying the use of time?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

One of the concerns raised by teachers' unions and representatives was the time dedicated to completing assessments and forwarding them to the Department. That is part of our discussions on how we can minimise the time involved in those matters. I assure the Member that I have regular engagements with the trade unions and with schools and teachers across a wide range of subjects to drill down into the impact, both positive and negative, that departmental policies have on their teaching. As I said in response to, I think, Mr Rogers, further discussions are taking place with teachers' representatives next week about levels of progression. I believe that we have made significant progress and that we can bring this matter to a conclusion.

Trevor Lunn (Alliance, Lagan Valley)

I welcome the Minister's statement. I want to ask him about the option for schools to use the examination specifications offered by other awarding organisations. I presume that that means that they can use the exams offered by the Scottish, English or perhaps even the Irish authorities and can pick and choose subjects according to the particular board that they are dealing with. Will the Minister explain why he feels that that is necessary? I know that it is already the case, but does it not cause complication and confusion? What is the reason for it, and what is the advantage?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Minister Gove — Secretary of State for Education Gove — and I do not agree on many matters, but I agree with him that there are far too many awarding bodies for exams out there. That can cause some confusion about the specifications set by each of them. When I refer to outside awarding bodies, I mean that they have to be awarding bodies that are in line with our curriculum. Previously, those in line with our curriculum were the Welsh-based awarding bodies, who were dealing with GCSEs and A levels, and the English education awarding bodies, as well as our own CCEA. We do not have an influx of Scottish qualifications, which are based on a different curriculum, or those coming from Dublin, which are, again, based on a different curriculum. I have met the awarding bodies that operate in our system — my officials will meet them again next week — and I want to ensure that the qualifications that they set do not corrupt our curriculum and are not driven by their commercial needs in the sense that they operate in a larger market in England than they do here.

I believe that we can overcome those matters, and the discussions thus far have been quite good. I have decided to keep the market open to them. My Welsh counterpart has decided that there will be only modular examinations, which may rule out the English examination bodies coming into Wales, but that is a matter for the Welsh. However, it is something that we will keep a close eye on. I have decided to keep the market open at this stage, because I believe that we can facilitate the awarding bodies. They can work with our curriculum, and, if they cooperate with my Department, I assure them that I will cooperate with them.

Jonathan Craig (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Minister, I read the statement with interest, and I want to go back to something you have already touched on, which is the NILA and NINA situation. Over £3 million was spent on that process. Has there been any clawback from the consultants, given that it has been a failed process and most schools are not using it? If there is to be a mark 2 of it, can we be absolutely certain and can you assure the House that there will be definite financial clawbacks if such a situation were to arise again?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

There is no planned financial clawback at this stage. As I said in my statement, I have not stipulated the use of the NINA and NILA systems this time around.

I want our primary schools to use the system; I want them to work with CCEA and the providers to ensure that any final glitches in the system are ironed out so that we can have full confidence in it.

As we move forward, I want to take time to study the policy to ensure that lessons are learned from the two reports that I commissioned and which were published on the Department's website. Whatever procurement process we are involved in, I want to ensure that the skills base in the procurement exercise is right and that everyone is crystal clear about what we are trying to achieve and the product that we require. I want to ensure that, when that product is delivered, it has the capacity to meet the needs of our curriculum and our teaching workforce.

I am not going to rush anyone on this matter. The report is quite detailed and informative, and I want to make sure that lessons are learned from it so that we do not end up in this scenario again.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he outline the ongoing use of the free school meal entitlement and the OECD's opinion of it?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The OECD reported that the use of the free school meals entitlement was a robust measure of social deprivation — in the absence of any other measure, it has to be said. I am moving ahead with it as a robust measure in the absence of anyone else coming forward with further proposals. I understand that the Committee for Education will conduct an inquiry and produce a report on international practices in identifying social deprivation, and I look forward to receiving that report. However, the OECD certainly did not point out any failings in the use of the free school meal entitlement as a measure of social deprivation.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

I also thank the Minister for his statement and I pay tribute to all those fine people in the teaching profession. He said that he is not in any hurry, but he promised to walk forward and I promise to walk with him. However, can he tell me when we will be in a situation where we do not have 4,000 young people who leave school every year not able to read or write and who end up getting their education in Magilligan jail?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I welcome the Member's spirit of cooperation in moving forward to ensure that we improve the lives of all our young people. The changes that we have made in education over the past number of years have resulted in a marked reduction in the number of young people leaving school without proper qualifications and skills in numeracy and literacy. It is an indictment of our entire society that those who populate our jails come from the lower socio-economic classes, have a lower educational outcome and suffer from mental health illnesses. That is something that we have to rectify.

I believe that the policies that we have in place will assist us in doing that, as will early interventions. I also firmly believe that the Programme for Government will assist us in doing that, particularly Delivering Social Change, to which all Departments have signed up and to which they are all contributing financially and through the use of departmental resources.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement. He spoke about school evaluation, but it is obvious that self-evaluation is not well embedded in all our schools. What is his Department doing to further that practice?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I am sorry; I missed the relevant part of the question.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will the Member repeat the question?

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

The Minister spoke about school evaluation, but it is obvious that self-evaluation is not well embedded in all our schools. What is his Department doing to further that practice?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

One of the key pillars of the Every School a Good School policy is self-evaluation in schools. Schools are encouraged to do so, and, indeed, under the policy, they have to self-evaluate their own programmes of work. It is the best form of evaluation because, if a school can be self-critical and self-enquiring of its own practices, it can learn many lessons. Our schools are involved in that. As I said in my statement, the role of the district inspector is highly valued by our schools because the inspectors can assist schools with self-evaluation.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement. Does he agree that it is crucial that the confidence of teachers is gained, retained and sustained to make assessment work? In that regard, will the Minister please ask his senior officials to conclude the discussions with trade unionists to make sure that the current impasse is ended?

Mr Tom McKee was an excellent educationalist and the regional organiser for the NASUWT. He passed away recently. He made an enormous contribution to the trade union movement and to education in Northern Ireland.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I acknowledge your tribute to Mr McKee. He was not involved during my time, but I am certainly aware of his work. I pass on my condolences to his family and friends on his passing.

We are keen to conclude discussions and negotiations with the trade unions, but, to conclude any negotiations or discussions, both sides are required to reach agreement. I believe that both sides have entered those discussions with the desire to reach agreement, and, if we continue along that pathway, I have no doubt that we will reach agreement.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

The Minister said that the Department does not:

"make judgements about schools based on the percentage of pupils who achieve or do not achieve at the expected level."

However, parents do, and the challenge for the Minister is to balance parental choice with schools competing with each other. In the context of the end of key stage assessments, what measures are being put in place to ensure that some schools are not manipulating the process for pupil assessments to give their school a false positive assessment?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

First and foremost, we must recognise and have faith in the professionalism of our teachers and the senior management teams in our schools. I also believe that moderation will assist us in ensuring that figures can be relied on by the school, schools in an area, parents and others who are observing educational practice.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

The Minister's statement says:

"I have asked my officials to undertake further work on a potential basket of performance measures, both for schools and the system overall."

I imagine that that will lead to concerns among many principals and teachers who have performance measures that they enjoy — if that is right word — and find useful in deciding how to take their school forward.

Does the Minister also accept the OECD finding that there is an urgent need to do three things? The first is to:

"build ... trust in the new moderation system for end of key stage assessments".

The second is:

"to minimise the reporting burden on schools."

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I encourage the Member to finish.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

The third is to provide an official consultation platform for parents between parents, the schools and the education system generally.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The first of, I think, four points was about the evaluation processes that schools value and the basket of evaluations that I want to move forward with. That is about working with schools and learning from best practice in schools. It is also about responding to the demand from schools and others about measuring added value, which is much more difficult to measure than GCSE or A-level results or whatever it may be. I am responding to that, and I want to engage with schools on how they measure added value and how we can move that forward. Education cannot simply be measured on the basis of five good GCSEs from A* and through.

You made three other points. My answer is yes to the first point and yes to the second point. You also mentioned greater parental involvement in education, and there is also a role for schools in that. The most successful schools are those that have a good connection with their local community and with parents, and I accept that, in certain areas, it may be difficult to engage with parents and communities for a variety of reasons, including their own poor educational experiences. I have put in place a number of measures to assist and support schools and communities in doing that, but the best and most practical way for schools to engage with parents is at a local community level.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome his assertion that he is committed to listening to teachers. Why did he not listen to teachers three years on from the implementation of the computer-based assessment system?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have listened to teachers. If I had not, I would have just imposed a system, let them continue to use it and battled with them. A couple of years ago at the teaching unions' conferences, I committed that, if, after enquiring into the matter further, the computer-based assessment systems NILA and NINA did not do exactly what it said on the tin, I would set them aside. I have set them aside, in that there is no longer a legislative duty on schools to use them. However, progress has been made, and I encourage as many primary schools as possible to engage with the NILA and NINA systems this year. If and where issues arise, schools should report them to the centre so that we can work with them. We can learn together about the way forward in improving a centrally provided computer-based assessment system and learn the lessons of the aforementioned report.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I wish to update the House on the progress that has been made on implementing Transforming Your Care (TYC).

Members will be only too aware of the real challenges facing Health and Social Care (HSC), now and in future. Those are a growing and ageing population, a growth in chronic conditions, a growth in demand and an over-reliance on hospital-based care, all set against a backdrop of continuing and increasing financial constraint.

Members will recall that I commissioned the Transforming Your Care review and the subsequent consultation on proposed service changes shortly after taking up my ministerial portfolio in May 2011. In commissioning the review, my prime objective was to ensure a high-quality, effective, integrated health and social care system, now and in future.

We are making significant progress on implementing those changes to transform the delivery of health and social care services to deliver the right care, at the right time and in the right place. The recent pressures on our emergency departments have made me even more determined to ensure that our services can meet the demands placed on them.

Recent research carried out in England indicates that around 18% of those who attended emergency departments admitted that they did not need to be there. It is only by reshaping our model of care to provide alternative services, earlier interventions and better patient self-management that we will be able to divert that group of people to more appropriate services. I hope to be in a position to update Members next week on the work to improve emergency department care.

As I indicated before, this is a three- to five-year journey, with the emphasis on getting it right in a safe manner rather than on rushing blindly ahead. The safety of patients and service users must remain at the heart of the transformation process, in line with our commitments under Quality 2020.

I am only too aware of the importance of avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy during the transformation process. The operational planning and delivery is being undertaken by the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Public Health Agency (PHA). I will hold those organisations to account for the transformation through existing governance and accountability arrangements, including the annual commissioning plan and regular assurance and accountability meetings.

As far as having the right care at the right time is concerned, the best treatment is, of course, prevention. We all know that smoking is one of the key causes of preventable ill health and early death, particularly among people who live in areas of social or economic deprivation. Some £4·5 million is invested each year in stop-smoking campaigns and support services, which are available in a variety of places, such as community pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospitals, schools and workplaces. In 2012-13, over 23,000 people, almost three quarters of all those who set a quit date, did so through a community pharmacy. It is in not just in anti-smoking campaigns that pharmacists have an active role to play in improving patient care. Their enhanced role was clearly identified in TYC, and, in the coming weeks, I will be launching a new strategy for pharmacy. It will provide a clear direction for community pharmacy services over the next five years to help people use medicines effectively and live healthier lives.

It was apparent from the responses to the consultation exercise that the prevention of illness, with a particular focus on supporting children and families through early intervention, was strongly supported. There are now 17 family support hubs active in four trusts, with a further five to be up and running by the end of March. The hubs provide early intervention and support for families who do not require the full-time services of a social worker. The hubs are one of the signature projects delivered through the Delivering Social Change initiative. The hubs complement the three family nurse partnership teams active in the Western, Southern and Belfast Trusts. Under the voluntary home visiting scheme for first-time young mums under the age of 20, a specially trained family nurse visits regularly, from early in pregnancy until the child is two, to provide advice and support. I will quote one young mother:

“My Family Nurse has been visiting me since I was 28 weeks pregnant and has been a great support. She really helped to prepare me for what to expect when I went into labour and since the birth has given us lots of tips on looking after our son like bathing, feeding and handling him.”

That is a clear example of the right care at the right time.

My Department is also actively seeking new services for children and young people. It has been active in the early intervention transformation programme. Drawing £30 million of funding from five Departments and private philanthropy, the programme will focus on changing how mainstream early intervention services for children are delivered.

Moving to the right care in the right place, it is appropriate at this point to update Members on the consultation on the regional criteria to evaluate the viability of statutory residential homes. I have been very clear that the regional process, which I asked the HSC Board to lead on, has been about listening to and improving outcomes for elderly people. The consultation, which has just closed, included visits by Fionnuala McAndrew, who is director of social care and children at the HSCB, to each statutory home, together with the commissioning of Age NI peer facilitators, who were available in each home to support residents to have their views heard. It is now vital to take time to carefully consider each and every response to inform how the process moves forward.

The TYC review predicted a drop in demand for those older services, due to the availability of alternatives better suited to the individual. Those included assisting people to remain independent at home, through reablement or support services. Delivering some of those alternatives through the development of a hubs and spokes primary care infrastructure model is one of the building blocks of the TYC programme. It brings together a range of disciplines to provide services, such as diagnostics, that are accessible and responsive to local needs.

Five tranche 1 hub projects are already under way in Newry, Lisburn, Ballymena, Banbridge and Omagh. The total capital equivalent investment in those facilities will be in the region of £150 million. I continue to believe that there are benefits in working closely with the private sector to deliver the infrastructure as soon as possible, rather than waiting longer for more traditional allocation of moneys. Funding options for further hubs and spokes may include capital funding, ring-fenced transactions or through 3PD. They are all subject to the business case process, confirming value for money and affordability. I expect Banbridge and Ballymena to be completed by summer 2015, and work on Omagh is due to start shortly. I hope to announce the successful bidders for the Lisburn and Newry health care centre (HCC) projects later this year.

We are also investing in new regional and secondary care facilities and services. The provision of the first of the 24/7 regional cardiac catheterisation services now operates in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. It will ensure that heart attack patients bypass emergency departments and go straight to a catheterisation lab for immediate and appropriate treatment. I anticipate that the complementary service for the western half of Northern Ireland, based in the Western Trust at Altnagelvin, will be operational by the autumn. The new £73·5 million North Wing building at Altnagelvin Area Hospital will be completed in 2016. That will ensure that people across Northern Ireland will continue to have access to modern facilities.

Last August, I visited the site of the new £97 million Omagh local hospital and was impressed with the progress being made there. It will offer a wide range of integrated services, including a local hospital with 40 intermediate care beds, a renal dialysis unit, an urgent care and treatment centre and a women’s health department for the local area.

New facilities at the Royal Group of Hospitals include the £150 million critical care building. That will begin phased operation from January 2015 and will provide regional emergency and trauma services to some of the most severely injured people in Northern Ireland. Alongside that, the new £46 million maternity building there, which is due for completion in mid-2017, will deliver a first-class regional maternity service.

Large impressive building projects are only one element in the delivery of the right care in the right place. The vision for supporting people with a mental illness, set out by Bamford and reinforced in TYC, was that treatment should be provided in the community, close to families and friends, where appropriate. At the time of the Bamford review, we were spending 60% of the mental health budget on hospital services and 40% on community services. The balance has now shifted and, last year, we spent around 44% of the mental health budget of £240 million on hospital services and 56% on community services. That investment in community-based services to reduce inpatient treatment has been brought about by the development of crisis response teams, the increased use of home treatment teams and provision of community mental health teams. The use of such teams also means that those who need inpatient treatment can be discharged sooner than was previously the case, with access to appropriate support in the community. Through focusing on prevention and early intervention, we are providing a better service closer to home.

In the Southern Trust area, the new ambulatory unit at Craigavon Area Hospital, which is staffed by two advanced paediatric nurse practitioners and supported by the medical team, takes referrals from the emergency departments and GPs to treat children for a wide range of conditions including dehydration, respiratory conditions, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever. The new unit avoids stressful hospital experiences for children, reduces the overall length of stay and can prevent overnight hospital admissions, where appropriate. Dermatology patients in the Southern Trust area who previously had to travel for a specialist consultation or review are now able to use video-conferencing facilities from home or in their GP's surgery for a consultation.

In the Belfast Trust area, a multidisciplinary team is developing a consultant-led urgent pathway for older people as an alternative to ED attendance or admission. The team is working with three GP practices as first responders and, to date, 36 patients have been provided with alternative acute care at home. The team has also developed an ambulatory care centre at Musgrave Park Hospital to improve access to falls services and comprehensive geriatric assessment as a quality alternative to our oversubscribed emergency departments.

New support services have also been developed for those with learning disabilities, with a significant shift from day centres towards community-based day opportunities. The Southern Trust offers work placements as part of its day opportunities programme. The Zest coffee shop is one such example where service users make a valuable contribution to the smooth running of the gift and coffee shop. They are encouraged to be independent by travelling by taxi or public transport to their work and to attend other activities, such as local gateway clubs. Many of them have completed the NVQ level 1 in catering and hospitality. Their comments on their experiences say it all. David, who works in the kitchen, said:

"I like getting food ready, drying dishes and tidying up when everyone leaves."

Christina, who also works in the kitchen, said that she loves working at Zest. She also said:

“I like organising people in the kitchen.”

Gregory expressed his future ambitions when he said:

“I like being busy and cleaning the kitchen. I would eventually like to get a job in catering.”

During the recent Assembly debate on health inequalities for people with learning disabilities, I outlined the investments by the HSCB in regular GP checks for adults with a learning disability. Those were in line with the TYC focus on intervention. I am proud to report that the uptake of this service in Northern Ireland is generally higher than in England and Wales, with some 90% of Northern Ireland GP practices registered.

Members also frequently express their concern about suicide, particularly among our young people, and urge me to provide resources to tackle the problem. I allocated over £2 million of Protect Life funding to support local communities with the development and delivery of suicide prevention initiatives. These include bereavement support, counselling, awareness and intervention training, and complementary therapies. The Public Health Agency worked closely with GP practices to raise awareness of these support services. These initiatives are providing access to services closer to where people live and where communities are best placed to know what their local resources, issues and challenges are. This intimate knowledge is vital in tailoring services and initiatives to address local needs.

On several occasions, Members reminded me of their enthusiasm for the speedy adoption of new ways to access services. I inform the House that the self-referral physiotherapy service will be available throughout the South Eastern Trust from April 2014. Following successful implementation, it is planned that the service will be rolled out regionally by March 2015. At the other end of the spectrum, the Public Health Agency and its partners are working to ensure that our older people remain in good health for as long as possible through health improvement programmes, fall prevention services and initiatives to address social isolation.

The experience of Adrian, who lives in the South Eastern Trust area, demonstrates just what can be achieved when we work together. Adrian is in his 60s, lives alone and previously attended his GP only when he felt unwell. He was recently signed up for a neighbourhood health check programme run by the South Eastern HSCT. This is aimed at keeping isolated older people well and feeling safe and supported in their own home. The project nurse working from the local community centre carried out a range of basic health checks for Adrian and was able to refer him to another health professional for advice on a long-term condition. She also encouraged Adrian to attend a stop smoking support group and to join a local walking group, where he has benefited from new friendships as well as exercise.

Other parts of the HSC family have the responsibility to support people who are recovering from an illness or injury to regain the skills that they need for daily living and to maintain their independence. Traditionally, there has been a tendency to focus on doing things for people rather than supporting them to become independent again. While well intended, that did not always serve patients well. The ambition of the new reablement model is to provide support appropriately and enable people to achieve independence again.

One real life example is of a normally confident older lady in Armagh who broke her leg. After discharge from hospital and as the reablement support began, she found the basic everyday tasks of washing, dressing and making food difficult to manage. This left her feeling vulnerable. However, when she sat down with her occupational therapist, they were able to figure out together what was needed to help her. Through providing the right support and encouragement, she was able to get back to coping with everyday tasks. Very importantly, this lady reported that the reablement workers treated her with the highest degree of respect and dignity, which are key elements of the quality care that must remain central to our transformation programme.

These examples illustrate that the right care in the right place delivers a better service for patients and service users. Some of us may eventually need to avail ourselves of palliative and end-of-life care. It is important that we deliver the right care at the right time, using the right people and in the right place. A significant reform process is under way in this area based around the recommendations in my Department’s palliative care strategy for adults, 'Living Matters, Dying Matters', and the wider Transforming Your Care reforms.

Evidence from the Delivering Choice programme in England has shown that it is possible to make a significant difference to patients and their families at a very difficult time. In September 2013, the Health and Social Care Board along with Marie Curie Cancer Care began the redesign of services to transform palliative and end-of-life care locally. Funding of £250,000 is being provided for the programme, with matched funding from Marie Curie Cancer Care.

All the examples that I just outlined depend on good communications between healthcare professionals and between healthcare providers and patients. The emergence and application of technology is a key enabler for good communication and healthcare transformation. You have seen recent examples of that, such as the Northern Ireland electronic care record, which enables healthcare professionals to access a single secure overview of key information about their patients; telemonitoring of patients at home; the use of teleconferencing to provide virtual clinics; and the potential development of mobile applications. Through our work on connected health not only is Northern Ireland benefiting from this improved healthcare but we are contributing to the growth of innovative solutions in the healthcare marketplace and enhancing Northern Ireland's economy.

Of course, although the implementation work is bearing fruit, there is ongoing pressure to deliver more, higher-quality care within the same financial envelope. Although the £139 million of saving opportunities that were identified in June 2013 are on track to be delivered and reinvested, the healthcare system still faces a funding gap. Therefore, during the current financial year I sought additional in-year funding of £28 million transitional moneys to support Transforming Your Care initiatives. My Department was fortunate to receive £9·4m in transitional funding to support TYC initiatives in the June 2013 monitoring round. Of that, £4·5 million was allocated to supporting ICPs and the commissioning of ICP-related services; £1·3 million was for improvements in stroke services; £0·1 million was for the Delivering Choices programme in association with Marie Curie; £0·2 million was for home oxygen therapy; and £3·3 million was to provide the dedicated teams to support the transformation programmes.

When discussing health and social care delivery in Northern Ireland, it is important that we retain perspective. I know that our emergency department service is under extreme pressure, and I have listened at first hand to the concerns of staff who are delivering front line services. I commend those staff for continuing to deliver an excellent service and to do what is necessary to meet the immediate challenges. However, it is clear that a longer-term solution can come only from actually implementing TYC.

The reality is that the whole of the NHS in the UK is facing challenges. You will be aware of the recent media stories from England and Wales on the shortage of skilled staff, pressures to deliver acute services locally, excessive pressures on emergency departments and fears that patient care could be compromised. Those problems were highlighted in Northern Ireland by the TYC review, and the solutions that are now proposed in England and Wales sound familiar.

It is important that we continue to drive forward and to complete the transformation journey to deliver the right care at the right time in the right place for every patient while remaining true to the core principles of the National Health Service. I commend the statement to the House.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement, and I welcome it. However, Minister, I suggest that wider public opinion on Transforming Your Care, including the views of staff, the medical professions, patients and public opinion generally, is certainly not as rosy as the statement that you placed before the House today. I will go further than that to say that Transforming Your Care is, indeed, in crisis. I ask the Minister to comment on that.

I note that the Minister said:

"I hope to be in a position to update Members on the work to improve emergency department care next week."

Will the Minister expand on the work that has been ongoing, given the crisis in our emergency care departments?

The statement also talks about transition funding for Transforming Your Care. At the beginning of this process, we were told that £70 million was required to implement TYC in totality. We understand today that £19 million was allocated in 2012-13 and a further £9 million in 2013-14. That, in my calculation, leaves a shortfall of £42 million. I therefore ask the Minister: is TYC in crisis as a result of that funding shortfall? Where will that funding be found? Are you even in a position to use it now?

Finally, I ask the Minister for assurances that the private sector investment that he refers to — particularly the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner, but equally the health hubs referred to in the statement — will not be the privatisation of our health service and will not effectively become care on the cheap.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I will seek to deal with all the issues that the Chair raised. As for the Member's view about Transforming Your Care and the medical professions not having as rosy a view as I do, I have to say that the medical professions are working very closely with us on cooperating and delivering. The medical professions and the bodies that represent them have at no stage indicated that Transforming Your Care is not the right way forward. They are working closely with us, and I challenge the Member to identify where the opposition is coming from, because the only opposition that I have heard thus far is from trade unionists, and that is for particular reasons. We need to be very clear about that. It is for particular reasons that they oppose Transforming Your Care. Transforming Your Care is in the best interest of the public in Northern Ireland, and I have to deal with that.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Will the Minister give way?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

There is no opportunity to give way in these circumstances. I will bring a report on emergency departments next week. What we have been doing has been in the public ether, so I would have anticipated that the Chair of the Committee would know what most of the general public already knows: that we brought the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in and that there are courses of work ongoing. Informing the Assembly is the appropriate means for a Minister to keep the Northern Ireland public informed, because I am answerable first of all to the Assembly.

We have already received almost £30 million of funding in the second year of Transforming Your Care. We are looking at delivering Transforming Your Care over a three- to five-year window, so there are certainly opportunities to continue delivering Transforming Your Care. I will be honest: I would have liked to have greater availability of money at this point, but I recognise that there are challenges for all Departments. We have to make our case. We have made our case and did not get as much as we would have liked. The Health and Social Care Board has sought to do things differently in-house on the back of that. Nevertheless, we have still been able to make excellent progress with the funding that has been made available to us.

Finally, on privatisation, the last words that I said in my statement were about supporting the principles of the National Health Service. When I leave office, whenever that happens to be, it will be a National Health Service in Northern Ireland that provides healthcare to those who need it, free at the point of need. I will not diverge from that principle.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

Following on from that question by the Chair, during the Budget debate the Minister revealed that he had managed to find £700 million worth of savings in his budget. I notice from his statement today that he has also been successful in finding another £139 million worth of savings, but he mentioned earlier that he has not been able to obtain all the funding that he has requested from the monitoring rounds to implement Transforming Your Care. Does the Minister believe that there is much left in the system in the way of savings in order to produce more money for Transforming Your Care?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Savings are generally about delivering care more efficiently, and to do that you need to get to the patient more quickly, and, consequently, you can deliver a better patient experience at the same time. Savings should not equate to cuts, albeit that there can be very challenging circumstances for people to operate in.

Looking at where we have come from, we can see that, yes, there has been waste stripped out of the system. Is there still waste in the system? I expect that there is, but it will be considerably harder to identify, find and strip out. It is important that we all recognise that we were operating on a very difficult budget on the basis of what was given to us by the national Government due to circumstances that were largely beyond their control. Although we had a very tight budget, we have been able to reduce waiting times across the sectors. We have been able to improve cancer care. We have been able to improve reablement after a stroke. We have been able to improve the outcomes for people who suffer a heart attack. Across the board, we have been able to improve a range of services and, at the same time, make savings.

We have been able to reinvest in our capital infrastructure. Perhaps we have not been able to do that as much as we would like, but certainly, with the new building at the Altnagelvin cancer facility going ahead, the new hospital being developed in Omagh, large-scale expansion at the Ulster Hospital and a range of other facilities, one can recognise that we remain wholly committed to the National Health Service.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

I welcome the Minister's statement, given its wide range and remit. Can the Minister state when building work will start at the Omagh hospital, which we are all waiting for? Can he say anything about the acute mental health unit, which we still hope will be there?

How significant is it that Mr Donaghy, the chief executive of the Belfast Trust, has resigned suddenly? Is this evidence of a problem with the administration of health management in the city of Belfast?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Enabling works commenced some time ago at the Omagh hospital. I do not need to tell the Member about Omagh; he knows it much better than me. He knows that, to allow access to the new hospital, a bridge had to be constructed and a new road opened up . Some buildings had to be removed, and certain courses of work had to be carried out. All that work has been moving ahead. In fact, it has been progressing ahead of plan. We are happy that that is the case, and the Omagh hospital is scheduled to be opened at the appropriate time.

The Member has raised mental health services with me on a number of occasions, privately and in the Chamber. I have not yet received the report from the Health and Social Care Board, but, when I do, I give the Member and the House an assurance that we will respond promptly with a decision on the final location for mental health services in the Western Trust area.

Last week, I learnt that Colm Donaghy had been offered a job elsewhere and had decided to take it. I wish him very well. The Belfast Trust is the second-largest trust in the United Kingdom, and it needs to be recognised that its chief executive position, which has all the pressures of managing both local and regional services, is a very stressful and tough job. I think that the challenges mean that it will always be difficult to get people to carry out this job, but I am confident that there are people in the system who will step up to the mark to take on that very challenging position.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement, in which he acknowledges the pressures on our accident and emergency centres. He also highlighted a survey in England that stated that some 18% of patients did not have to be there. When will every town in Northern Ireland, including Carrickfergus and Larne in my constituency, have a modern primary health and care centre, extended out-of-hours GP services and nurse-led treatment so that people do not have to go to A&E for treatment?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Mr Beggs raises a very valid point. It is OK to say that 18% of people — the figure the survey identified — should not have been in emergency departments. However, if members of the public attend A&E because they do not know what else to do, it is not their fault. Some people are repeat offenders — people who come to an emergency department at the drop of a hat — but many people who have a problem do not know where else to go. So, we need to be to the forefront of ensuring that we offer people the alternatives: minor injury units; enhanced primary care facilities; and greater opportunities to access GPs. We recognise that all those things will assist in keeping people out of emergency departments.

The Member also mentioned the facilities in Larne and Carrickfergus. I have visited the Carrick facilities and know what they are like. I recognise that they are very cramped and will not be able to provide the wide range of services that we envisage in Transforming Your Care. It is absolutely necessary that we look at those facilities and change them.

Currently, the various trusts are drawing up their list of which facilities should come first, and we are looking at proposals as to how we can move that forward. We have obviously used the private sector to a fairly modest extent thus far, but I entered office in an era in which capital funding had largely been identified and the previous programme of developments for primary care centres had been put on the shelf by the previous Minister. I took the programme down from the shelf, dusted it down and am trying to reinvigorate the process. I do not think that we are capable of delivering the health and social care services that the public need unless we fully utilise the services in the primary care sector and give them the support and staff to allow them to be delivered in local communities where people can access them.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

The Minister made a rather long statement. There were some good things in it, but I am afraid that there was also a lot of wishful thinking.

I support what the Chair said. In his statement, the Minister informed us that £139 million of saving opportunities are on track, but he went on to say that there is a "funding gap". He asked for £28 million more to support Transforming Your Care initiatives. He got £9·4 million, which leaves a shortfall of some £18 million. Is that one of the reasons that our elderly and infirm senior citizens have to accept a big reduction in domiciliary care, in the number of hours that carers are allowed to spend with them and in the number of community meals?

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will the Member please finish his question?

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Those senior citizens will eventually end up in hospital.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member sits on the Committee, so I wish that he would either inform himself better or desist from misinforming the Assembly. In fact, more hours are being provided for domiciliary care.

I see the Member shake his head. He maybe has a little difficulty with the facts. For the benefit of the whole House, let me say that, in 2012-13, £759 million was spent on care for the elderly, including £160·6 million on domiciliary care. The first six months of 2013-14 saw a significant increase in expenditure on domiciliary care by the trusts, and there will be an additional — [Interruption.] Just listen to this, Mr Speaker and the House, just listen to this — [Interruption.]

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Order.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

To deal with the misinformation that the Member is putting out, there will be an additional 800,000 hours — 800,000 hours, Mr McCarthy — provided, at the cost of some £12 million in 2013-14. Furthermore, an additional £5 million has been secured in the January monitoring round for domiciliary care. So do not come to the House spouting nonsense when what you say is not borne out by the facts.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The issue of children and families facing neglect is something that we take very seriously. I really welcome the interest that we receive from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on the matter. The work that it carries out in conjunction with the Department of Education, my Department, DSD and others will make a real difference to families under severe pressure.

I referred in my statement to the £30 million spend that we are achieving in developing hubs, which goes across five Departments. I mentioned three Departments, and the Department of Justice is another one that is involved. That will make a real difference, but we are also seeing the investment that is coming through other funding from OFMDFM. We are supporting a number of parenting programmes that are largely being developed through the Public Health Agency and with stakeholders through the Child Development Project Board and the Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership. Those programmes focus on vulnerable groups and include Parenting Your Teen, the Strengthening Families programme, the Incredible Years programme, infant mental health training and the Triple P model of parent and family support programmes.

We recognise that, in Northern Ireland, many families are in very difficult circumstances, including financially, and that many parents have not had the right opportunities in life and, therefore, are not well skilled to support their own children. We want to provide support and help to those parents to break the vicious cycle that has existed for some time. We want to make an investment now that I, as Minister, will probably not see the significant benefits of. However, I hope, in a generation's time, that Northern Ireland in general will see the significant benefits of the long-term investment that has been made, even at a time when finances were tight.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I, too, thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, you mentioned that one of the issues facing the health service is the growing and ageing population. We have been told that, by 2020, our elderly population will have doubled. People are living longer but not necessarily more healthily. There is a perception that older people do not receive the same level of treatment as younger people. That is compounded by a recent report that said that older people do not receive the same level of cancer care and treatment as younger people. Can the Minister assure us that, if that inequality exists, he will ensure that it does not continue and that there will be equality in the treatment of people whatever their age and condition?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Member for his question. I know that the Member does not mean any ill, and sometimes I do it myself by referring to it as a problem. However, the fact that people are living longer is not a problem. Although it is perhaps an issue that we will have to deal with, it is something that we should be celebrating, and it is a demonstration that healthcare is working very well because people are living longer. Older people are now getting heart bypass surgery, which would not have been the case heretofore. Older people are also getting hip and knee replacements and so forth more quickly, and many older people will benefit from that.

I heard the views of the professor on the radio this morning. I was taken with his comment that age itself should not be the judge of the treatment path; it should be the person's ability to receive it — their physical and other health conditions. It may not be appropriate to give chemotherapy to someone in their 70s who happens to have two or three chronic conditions. Very often, those things clash, and chemotherapy is a very powerful treatment. Basically, it puts poison into your system, and not everybody is able to withstand that. So, very often, they are clinical decisions that are made for the right reason; not because someone is old but because their immune system could become so compromised that their other chronic conditions may be affected as a result. All the decisions should be clinical and should be based on the ability of the patient to receive the care as opposed to the age of the patient, and I would accept that.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

Whilst I in no way support one or two of the unintelligent diatribes that we heard this morning, it appears, Minister, that Transforming Your Care is, at times, moving slower than many of us envisaged. Do you agree?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I accept that that could be the perception. I also accept that, in some instances, it is the case. However, I would say that we have still made remarkably good progress. When we devised Transforming Your Care, we identified a process of change that was almost certainly leading the way in the United Kingdom. I have to say that, as others look at how they address the problems of actually providing better quality healthcare, with a restricted envelope and greater demand, many of them are following us.

Processes of change are never easy. We are trying to get the public to a point. That can be challenging, particularly when people do not want the messages to get out there. We are trying to get the public to the point where they recognise that going to hospital is not necessarily the best means to support their healthcare. There are many other ways of doing it, and many other supports can be provided. Integrated care partnerships, which have all now been established, will play a key role in that. Very often, the community pharmacist should be the first port of call, followed by the general practitioner. However, people choose to go many other ways. Sometimes, I hear people say that they cannot see their GP for three weeks. In many cases, people will be offered a GP, but they want to see a particular one and will insist on waiting for that GP. Sometimes, when they do not get to see their GP of choice, they end up in an emergency department as opposed to seeing another general practitioner in the same practice.

So, in all of this, we need to ensure that the public are well informed about their options and that they take the right actions. We need very much to be the Department of Health, not the Department of illness. To be the Department of Health means investing in public health and getting the right messages. As I indicated, we spend £4·5 million on stopping-smoking campaigns. I want to introduce many other things in the House that would be challenging and debated and would make it much more difficult for people to take up smoking in the first place. It would be better for a 16-year-old never to have smoked in the first place than, 20 or 30 years later, to be struggling with their local pharmacist to try to quit when the damage has already been done.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for his answers. The Transforming Your Care review talked about the drop in demand for residential care. Is it not therefore a bit disingenuous for trusts to put a ceiling on numbers in the likes of Slieve Roe House, which is the residential home in my town? Looking at the commissioning group last week and, as the Minister mentioned, the fact that there will be around a 40% increase in the number of people living beyond the age of 65 over the next 10 years, is he prepared to remove that cap on the numbers in a residential home so that there is a level playing field for all older people?

(Mr Principal Deputy Speaker [Mr Mitchel McLaughlin] in the Chair)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Where residential care is concerned, I am clear that we can do better for people in some of the oldest care homes. However, I also recognise that individuals have to want to move. It is not our job to tell people that they cannot live in a residential care home. That is where I believe the previous process was flawed, and that is why I moved to stop it. There are people who feel very comfortable where they are, no matter how attractive the facilities may seem to others. I know that Fionnuala McAndrew has been going out and visiting every home, and I look forward to hearing her findings and the outcome of that consultation and making a decision thereupon.

We are very clear about what we want to offer older people. As I say repeatedly, we all have a vested interest in this. I believe that it is much better to support people in their own home and to develop other facilities that will ensure a degree of independence than to move people from their home into care facilities where everything is done for them.

I know that people cherish and seek to maintain their independence for as long as possible, and we need to support our older people in doing that. The Member mentioned a facility in his constituency. I visited another facility in his constituency, in Downpatrick, that we provided with one of the housing associations. I encourage every Member to visit that facility because that is where you will see our vision for older people. You will also see that our vision does not wish to compromise, in any way, shape or form, the kind of support that there can be for older people. If you talk to the older people in that facility, they will tell you that it is the best possible service and that it is what they want and support. That is where we want to be in future. However, we need to be very careful in how we deal with the present so as not to cause distress to older people in residential care homes.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

I also thank the Minister for his statement, which contains many interesting facts. Minister, you referred to the £28 million for Transforming Your Care, and you have obtained roughly a third of that. Are you satisfied that the Finance Minister is giving you and the health service as much priority as he can? As the Budget year is just around the corner, how much more do you reckon you will need to support Transforming Your Care initiatives?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We set out a proposal for some £70 million in the first instance, and we have received close to £30 million. Over the next two to three years, we hope to receive another £40 million for the delivery of such initiatives. We will continue to seek investment in that course of action, and we will hopefully have the Department of Finance's support in doing that.

I recognise that the Department of Finance has its own pressures and stresses, with many other Departments making demands of it. We in healthcare need to ensure that, on the one hand, we manage effectively the money that we get, which, by the way, is almost £5 billion, and that, on the other hand, we get good responses from the Department of Finance and Personnel where there is real and genuine need.

I am just after saying that we received an additional £5 million for domiciliary care. That is a response by DFP to an identified need. We also received an additional £6 million or £7 million for children's services. Again, that is a response to an identified need. That need arose because, in the past year, a higher number of children has been identified as vulnerable, largely as a result of media activity around Savile and so forth. If you are asking whether DFP is responsive to our needs, the answer is that I think that it is. We do not always get what we want, but DFP does make an effort to meet the requests that we put to it.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. He will no doubt be aware of this issue, given the issue that he raised on the consultation on residential homes. He will be glad to know that I, along with my colleague Alderman Bill Kennedy, delivered many hundreds of responses to the consultation to the board's headquarters last Friday, and we await the response to that. The respondents referred particularly to the Roddens in Ballymoney and their support for that provision. I ask the Minister to update the House on the option appraisal for the Causeway Hospital in north Antrim.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Member for his question. First, on the issue of residential care homes, I appreciate people's efforts to make their views known and the public representatives who facilitated that. Transforming Your Care never identified that 100% of residential care homes should be closed. The trusts thought that they would do something different, and I think that it was appropriate to take steps to stop that process because it clearly caused distress to older people. It is absolutely essential that, in a process of change, you manage such things delicately and carefully and ensure that you provide the best quality services to our older population when you can.

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has been working to take forward the implementation of the turnaround improvement plan for the Causeway Hospital. A key element of that work is a series of service reviews. The turnaround and support team has advised me that an appraisal of future management options should be informed by this work and should, therefore, follow on from it. On that basis, I decided that these processes should be substantially in place before further work is carried out on the options appraisal for future management arrangements at the Causeway.

I want to be very clear: the Causeway has a strong future. It is a distinct facility in an area that is quite a distance — almost equidistant — from other key facilities at Altnagelvin and Antrim. A large population is based in that area, so I see the Causeway Hospital having a significant role. Whether that role happens to be in the Northern Trust or the Western Trust, under that management system, it is important that the facility delivers many services for the local community.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

I suggest that the consultation on the viability of statutory residential homes has been a farce. It was made so by the Minister in his direction that the present admissions policy should persist during the consultation, which, in the Northern Trust area, means no admissions. Therefore, to try to evaluate the viability of homes to which you are denying admissions is to tie the hands of those homes behind their backs, making it a farcical exercise. The Minister has ducked and dived on who gave that direction. At a consultation meeting that I was at, the HSC was clear that the direction came from the Minister. Is he now man enough to admit that he directed that the current admissions policy should persist during the consultation?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Not unusually for the Member, he gets it wrong —

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Just tell us.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

— because there is an open admissions policy in a number of trust areas, whereby people choose to go to other sectors. That is just a matter of fact. There are hundreds of available places in residential care facilities across Northern Ireland, which is why the restrictions were put there in the first instance. Indeed, Members from parties other than mine lobby that we should give greater support to the private residential sector at this time because it has a lot of empty spaces, and that could cause problems.

I make it very clear to the House that the consultation process that we have been going through is no farce. We will await the outcome of that consultation and make appropriate decisions without —

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Did you give the direction?

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Order.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

— prejudging the outcome. The Member has been well known for prejudging a range of outcomes —

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Did you give the direction?

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Order.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

— and he is very well known for getting it wrong.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I listened to the Minister intently. When I first heard that he was going to make a statement, my colleagues and I considered that he was going to cover the issues that are dominating the public mind: GP waiting lists, accident and emergency cover and even the potential that some people might have died while on waiting lists. We thought that he might outline a plan of what he was going to do. Such a statement would have been welcomed, but this, in our view and in that context, amounts to fiddling while Rome burns. Will the Minister now conduct a comprehensive review of Transforming Your Care, which, in our view, is leading to intolerable pressures and crises in our health service?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

If I have correctly picked up what the Member said, he is blaming Transforming Your Care for leading to intolerable pressure on the health service.

I know that he is relatively new to the job, but that is probably one of the most silly statements that I have heard in the House. The health service has growing demands, such as the number of people accessing it and the multiplicity of people who have a series of chronic conditions, many of them elderly. There is also a demand on us to acquire all the new drugs that are becoming available, and we are doing that within a constrained envelope.

If the Member is suggesting that continuing to do the same thing over and over again will actually work, that is really very silly. We are not even in the position of getting the same outcomes if we keep doing the same things. If we keep doing the same things, we will get worse outcomes.

Transforming Your Care is a document that is being looked at not just in Northern Ireland but in many other places, which are saying that it is what they want to do in their region or country. Northern Ireland is taking the lead on the issue. I welcome the fact that the health service now has leadership and a pathway to follow. We in the DUP have taken on the mantle of giving that leadership.

The SDLP had the opportunity to take the health portfolio. It shirked that opportunity. It did not have the guts to take it. We have the guts to do this job, and we will do this job. We will deliver Transforming Your Care and an improved healthcare service in spite of the financial constraints put on us. [Interruption.] I hear Mr Nesbitt chirping, but he stood for the Ulster Conservatives and Unionists - New Force (UCUNF) at the last election. They are the people who put the health constraints on us. We are dealing with those issues and will deliver a better health service in spite of them.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement on Transforming Your Care. The Minister will be very much aware that the Ulster Hospital serves a large area. Its A&E is almost at busy as the Royal's. Will the Minister advise us how, under Transforming Your Care, he intends to address the pressures at the Ulster Hospital A&E?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Ulster Hospital A&E has come under huge pressure. The population in north Down, Strangford and east Belfast tends to be older. Therefore, there is immense pressure on the hospital. A lot of the work being done through Transforming Your Care will be about directly admitting older people to hospital to avoid their going into emergency departments in the first place. It will also be about ensuring that the social care side is working as efficiently as possible so that those in hospital get out at an appropriate time; ensuring that there are available hospital beds; and ensuring that the reablement programmes that we talked about are acted out on the ground and that people can quickly get back on their feet. All that work will be critical to ensuring that we can deliver better service and care in the emergency department at the Ulster Hospital.

Private Members' Business

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

The Business Committee has agreed to allow up to one hour and 30 minutes for the debate. The proposer of the motion will have 10 minutes in which to propose and 10 minutes in which to make a winding-up speech. One amendment has been selected and published on the Marshalled List. The proposer of the amendment will have 10 minutes in which to propose and five minutes in which to make a winding-up speech. All other Members who are called to speak will have five minutes.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I beg to move

That this Assembly notes the significant funding available for drawdown within the European Union; commends the Minister for Regional Development for leading the Northern Ireland Executive in the successful drawdown of competitive funding; further notes with grave concern the imbalance in the drawdown of European funds for economic development between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland under the framework programme 7, whereby Assembly research statistics show that while Northern Ireland secured €35 per capita, the equivalent in the Republic was €590; and calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to take steps to ensure an increased drawdown of competitive European funds across Departments, in addition to identifying an appropriate region of the EU against which Northern Ireland can benchmark its performance.

It is a pleasure to commend the motion to the House. This debate is about ambition. How ambitious are we about drawing down competitive EU funding? How ambitious are we for a successful EU? And how ambitious are we to explore every avenue available to us to do what we said we were going to do in the Programme for Government, which is to put the economy at the front and centre of everything that we do?

I will give a little context. We rely on the block grant or subvention from Westminster for our economic survival. In relatively short order, it has risen most dramatically: from £3 billion to £5 billion to £7 billion to £10 billion per annum. Is that healthy? Is it wise? Is it a sustainable trend? As we move inexorably towards the referendum on Scottish independence, I believe that the answer is clearly no. The implication of the vote in the Scottish referendum on independence is that, whatever happens, there will be a recalibration of the Union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. While it is certain that we do not know the detail of how that will fall, it is not necessarily negative. We can hope and, indeed, expect that one outcome will be the devolution of the power to set our own rate of corporation tax.

If we want to recalibrate our dependence on the block grant and seek an alternative, we must look seriously at the European Union. How keen are we? In June 1975, we held a referendum, and only 52·1% said yes. We note that, at the time, Sinn Féin and the DUP were for pulling out. Nearly 40 years on, are we any more engaged? Well, we will see on 22 May with the European elections, but if we can be accused of standing still for 40 years, the EU certainly can not. In 1973, there were nine member states; there are now 28, which has gone way beyond the original economic open zone intentions.

Economically, how competitive are we with drawdown? How successful are we? The proper measure, I suggest, can be judged by the number of requested financial contributions that came out of Northern Ireland for framework programme 7 (FP7), a key business development programme in the EU. How often did we put in an application for assistance? On a per capita basis, we requested €35·33 from framework programme 7. Compared with Wales, that is almost exactly the same; compared with England, it is less than half; and, compared with Scotland, it is about a third. However, the shocker is the comparison with the Republic of Ireland where, per head of population, they requested financial contributions of €590. The Republic has a population of 4·6 million, and we have a population of 1·8 million, so they are approximately two and a half times the size of our population, and yet, in their ambition, as measured by the requested financial support from FP7, they are 17 times more ambitious than we are. If our benchmark of €35 per head is the right one, the Republic should have been requesting only €87·50 —

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Will the Member give way?

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

Let me finish the point, please, Mr McKinney.

If their benchmark is correct, at €590 per head, we should have been looking for €236 per head, not €35.

I will give way to the Member for South Belfast.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I thank the Member. Would he be surprised to learn that evidence given to the Committee in the recent past showed that, while there is an action plan for 2020, no strategy has been developed at all for the uptake of these moneys?

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I thank the Member for his intervention. I think that it proves the narrative that we are trying to develop, which is that more can and should be done to take a strategic view, particularly with Horizon 2020 coming on stream with a pot of £80 billion.

The comparators with the Republic of Ireland take us to the thorny question of benchmarking, because it was our impression that we would benchmark our performance in Europe against defined regions. The argument has always been made that to benchmark against the Republic of Ireland is not fair because the Republic is a nation state in charge of its own affairs while we are a region dependent on policy coming out of Westminster. There is merit in that argument but, again, the Republic's population is two and a half times the size of ours, not 17 times, so there is an issue with the ambition.

I believe that there is also an issue with benchmarking. In evidence to the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister last year, Colette Fitzgerald, who is head of the EU office in Belfast, was asked about benchmarking. She said:

"When the task force was set up in 2007, officials in Brussels ... carried out a benchmarking exercise."

She went on to say that:

"They identified about half a dozen regions"

including some in France and Spain:

"that were judged to have a population of a similar size to Northern Ireland."

Those regions "did not have state capitals". In other words, here was a good starting point to identify one or two regions against which we should benchmark ourselves. It is 2014 — seven years on — and we have yet to identify the right place at which to benchmark ourselves.

We can curse the darkness, or we can light a candle. As we look ahead to Horizon 2020, I think that we should shine more light on how we do that. On that basis, we welcome that officials from DEL have been seconded to work through Queen's University, the University of Ulster and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to give that kind of top-down approach that is going to be essential if local businesses are to achieve what they can out of Horizon 2020.

Again, it is about ambition. What is our ambition for Horizon 2020? Apparently, it is to target £10 million. However, the Republic is targeting €1·4 billion. If they are two and a half times our population, that would suggest that our target should be nearer €0·5 billion, not £100 million. Of course, we need to rebalance our economy to make it oranges against oranges or apples against apples, because the Republic has, of course, had huge success in attracting foreign direct investment and, therefore, has a lot more of the large companies for which these programmes are better suited.

Let me praise the Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, for the work that he has done in leading the Executive in competitive drawdown. As part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), DRD drew down £1·789 million in the baseline year of 2010-11 and a further £2·9 million in 2011-12, representing 16% of the total in the baseline year and 18% of the total in the following year. That means better public transport, better infrastructure and a more attractive Northern Ireland to potential foreign direct investors.

There is nothing more important to us in seeking additional funds beyond the block grant. Let us ask this old question: what has the EU ever done for us? Between 1998 and 2013, the answer is an investment measured at €7·533 billion. For those who think that it is all about agriculture and fisheries, those accounted for €2·862 billion of that total, while other areas accounted for €4·671 billion.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Will the Member give way?

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

It sounds like a lot, but over 25 years that is less than one year's block grant. I will give way very briefly.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

When the Member asks what the EU has done for us, will he also reflect on what we have done for the EU? In 2013, we as a nation contributed £17 billion. Even with the rebate, all we ever got back in grants and rebates was half that figure. Every day, £23 million is the price of EU membership. So, rather than ask what it has done for us, I suggest that he should look at what we are doing for it.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

The Member's time is almost up. Will he confirm that he has moved the motion?

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

Yes, I will finish with that, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. The facts are, and the Member knows this, that there are no definitive figures for what goes out of here and what comes in here from the European Union. That is a fact, and Mr Allister knows it.

It is my pleasure to move the motion and to commend it.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I beg to move the following amendment:

Leave out all after "commends" and insert:

"the Executive for setting an increased target for our drawdown; further commends those Ministers who have been successful in securing significant funding to date; and calls on the Executive to ensure that they maximise all potential funding opportunities from Europe.".

Go raibh maith agat. I oppose the motion. I attended an EU funding event in Ranfurly House in Dungannon last Friday, which was organised by our local MP, Michelle Gildernew, and our MEP. The attendance was reflective of the ambition and potential in the local economy, provided that the proper advice and expert resources are made available.

The feedback from the well-attended information session addressed by Martina Anderson MEP has been extremely positive. Many of those in attendance were unaware of the extent of funding available from Europe for research and innovation projects in areas as diverse as technology, health, transport, energy, agriculture, food and so on. People need to know what is available to apply for it. As the saying goes, "If you are not in, you'll not win". Such events empower people, and it is important to remember that EU competitive funding is not pre-allocated.

It was stated at an OFMDFM Committee that EU funding is not there to be drawn down readily; you have to fight for your money. There may also be examples of where applications for EU funding were made, but no match funding was available. We need to remember that we do not get 100% EU funding for a project; you have to match-fund it.

Experience shows that small and medium-sized Irish companies North and South are not taking full advantage of the potential of EU funding opportunities. The new EU programme Horizon 2020, which supports the research, innovation and science sectors, offers tremendous opportunities for high-level links and collaboration with other companies and research bodies across Ireland, Europe and further afield.

Do we need to draw down more funding? Of course we do. The Barroso task force and the appointment of the four desk officers was set up to help the Executive to support Programme for Government commitment 26, which is to facilitate delivery of the Executive's 20% target for increased drawdown of competitive EU funds. The specific remit of the task force is to support efforts in the North to improve competitiveness and to create sustainable employment, mobilising the service of the commission most concerned with the competitiveness and sustainable employment agenda. Particular importance is attached to reducing dependence on the public sector and creating a more dynamic private sector.

As part of the Barroso task force, four desk officers were appointed. That should be starting point. It should be more. Our MEP, Martina Anderson, has been stating that as junior Minister and now as an MEP; it is a central plank of her work. The First Minister and the deputy First Minister met Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to shape and influence Horizon 2020, and the two Ministers were also in Brussels in January this year as well as two major visits to Brussels in 2012. Those visits are part and parcel of doing the spadework to network and engage and thereby increase our efforts to maximise the drawdown of funding from the EU. I believe that our infrastructure is getting better, but, of course, we have to build upon it and do more.

One key area that needs closer examination is to remove the additional layer of bureaucracy when assessing applications from funding to the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). There is a steering committee that Departments already sit on that assesses the applications that come into the Special EU Programmes Body and determines which ones should be awarded funding. That takes approximately 21 weeks or less from application to assessment and letters of offer being agreed. However, after that, the application, with the Special EU Programmes Body decision, then goes to Departments and the whole process starts again. Yes, Departments match-fund EU funding, but that does not mean that they should put a dead hand on letters of offer. Departments should have the appropriate personnel to sit on the steering committee to make the assessment and then the letters of offer should be issued. In fact, there was a woman at the EU funding event in Dungannon last week who complained about the length of time that it takes Departments to process the letter of offer after it has been agreed by the Special EU Programmes Body, and sometimes it ends up being too late for the project. That is not good enough.

In conclusion, let us support the new EU funding phase from 2014 to 2020 with a renewed and more focused approach. We need to ensure that we do all that we can to simplify the system to help small groups to apply and be successful. Let us, working with our colleagues in the Brussels office, ensure that we leave no stone unturned in bringing home as much of those resources as we can. That is the task of our junior Ministers, all the Departments and, do not forget, our MEPs. We on the Committee will do our bit to ensure that the issue is kept front and centre in the coming period.

The debate stood suspended.

The sitting was suspended at 12.29 pm.

On resuming —

Oral Answers to Questions

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

It is time for questions to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. We will start with listed questions. I inform members that question 6 has been withdrawn.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

1. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on the outcomes of his summit with the Royal College of Nursing on 19 February 2014. (AQO 5741/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The following two important measures will address the main issues that were raised when I attended the RCN summit on emergency care, where I had the opportunity to hear from front line emergency care practitioners. The Chief Nursing Officer has commissioned work to develop a framework for emergency care nursing. It will include setting key professional standards and developing a career pathway for emergency care nurses. The work will be led by the RCN emergency care network and supported by the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council (NIPEC). The baseline emergency staffing tool (BEST), which is a workforce planning tool, has been developed by the RCN Emergency Care Association and the Faculty of Emergency Nursing and is being evaluated as part of the delivery care programme. As a result of the summit and in the spirit of collaboration, the RCN emergency nurses network will be a key stakeholder in the College of Emergency Medicine summit that I have planned for early April. The learning and key points from the RCN summit will be incorporated into the next summit.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. How will the Minister address the recommendations to further increase staffing levels and stop the closure of beds?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Chief Nursing Officer is in the process of commissioning work to develop a framework for emergency care nursing that will include settling key professional standards and work to develop a career pathway for emergency department nurses. The work to develop a framework for emergency care nursing will be led by the RCN care network. Through the programmes led by the Chief Nursing Officer, we will seek to ensure that we have the appropriate number of nurses to carry out the jobs that are required of them.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his answers. Will the Minister give us some detail on the BEST, which I understand is the baseline emergency staffing tool, and how it can be drawn down to improve efficiency in the service?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is a workforce planning tool that has been developed by the RCN Emergency Care Association and the Faculty of Emergency Nursing. The BEST tool is undergoing validity tests to ensure its reliability. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will include the BEST tool as part of its evaluation of workforce tools, which is expected to be reported on in July 2014. The BEST tool review in Northern Ireland will take account of the NICE evaluation outcome within the work stream of the normative staff working programme that is being developed by NIPEC.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Minister, you talked about workforce planning, and that needs to be planned, managed and resourced. In the wider picture in terms of nurses, there is a lot of pressure across the sector. What plans are there to review nursing levels across the hospital sector?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

These things are constantly under review. As things change, as programmes of care change and as nurses take on more and more responsibilities, where it is identified that there is a need for additional nurses, they will be provided. I have previously told the House about the increased number of nurses during the past three years during which I have held office. That has been on an upward trajectory, and the entire House should welcome the fact that there are more front line staff in our health service than was previously the case.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

Leading on from that with a slight twist, specialist nurses can play a crucial role in enabling patients to receive support away from A&Es and without excessive waits to see their GP. Will the Minister ensure that the postgraduate nurse training budget is not cut further and, instead, is returned to previous investment levels?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is essential that we have more specialist nurses. I have asked the Chief Nursing Officer to identify how she can work with the trusts to ensure that nurses have the time allocated to them by the trusts to allow them to train up and further their skill levels. I have just come from a Marie Curie event, for example, where I was told of the great work that nurses do in delivering chemotherapy, IV antibiotics and blood transfusions in people's homes. The more we can develop those skills, the less pressure there will be on our hospital system and our emergency departments. The standard of care will be better because people will receive that care at home, which is a much better environment for them. However, we can do that only by having the requisite number of nurses, and the Chief Nursing Officer has to ensure that we have enough appropriately trained nurses.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

2. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how many serious adverse incidents resulting in deaths which may have been connected to waiting times have occurred in each health and social care trust over the past five years. (AQO 5742/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I am committed to openness and transparency on the issue, and I want to see such information as it is possible to see in the public domain. My officials have been working closely with the Health and Social Care Board and the Public Health Agency to establish what the figures are and what can be published. That involves individually reviewing information on every serious adverse incident (SAI).

The HSCB has advised me that, in the past three years, from January 2011 to December 2013, there have been fewer than five SAIs regionally in which a delay in an emergency department may have been a contributory factor. That includes the two confirmed cases already reported in the media, which were identified in a learning letter distributed widely to relevant organisations, including health and social care bodies, across Northern Ireland in January this year. Those cases have been through the serious adverse incident investigative process. However, the delays identified are not necessarily synonymous with waiting times. They may, for example, arise because of issues with the triage of a patient with or a missed diagnosis. The Department will not publish other actual numbers relating to fewer than five individual patients in order to protect patient confidentiality.

There are a small number of other cases from the same three-year period in which a serious adverse incident investigation is ongoing. Most relate to serious adverse incidents reported during 2013. We need to await the completion of the investigations to determine whether the conclusion is that delay may have been a contributory factor.

In the context of the question, I would like to clarify a number of points. Serious adverse incidents cover a wide range of situations, not just a death. An SAI is defined as any risk — potential or actual — of serious harm from which there could be learning.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Time is up.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Perhaps I could have half a minute to finish.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Yes, go ahead.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Thank you.

The reporting of an SAI does not automatically mean that there was a problem with the quality of care provided. Since 1 October 2013, for example, there have been mandatory requirements for the reporting of child deaths and cases of suicide, if the client has been in contact with health and social care services within the previous 12 months. Suicide also accounts for around one third of serious adverse incidents.

The purpose of the SAI system is to ensure that, if a serious event or incident occurs, there is a systematic process in place for safeguarding service users, staff and members of the public. The process is a clear, regionally agreed approach for reporting, management, follow-up and learning in respect of serious adverse incidents.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Will he clarify why he was not made aware of the recent deaths that may have been connected with waiting times? How will that be rectified moving forward?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I was not informed because the trust did not inform me. I believe that it should have informed me, and I have asked trusts to ensure that we are kept informed of the circumstances of such incidents. It is to everybody's benefit that we know when things have failed in some way so that we can ensure that responses are carried out and are very strong.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I would like to put this in context. Minister, how many serious adverse incidents are reported each year in the Northern Ireland health service?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Some 83,000 adverse incidents are reported each year. Obviously, there is a smaller number of serious adverse incidents. However, as I indicated, the factors relating to the serious adverse incidents often have nothing to do with the incident leading to the death of the individual, but there is a series of reasons why that should be included. We have given a definition of that, and that is something that is very important.

Serious adverse incidents are a useful tool for us in identifying where best practice may not have been met and where we can seek to improve that. This is an improvement tool that we are using in the system. In January to December 2009, there were 287, and, in January to April 2010, there were 75. Across Northern Ireland, over the past year, there were 386; in the previous year, there were 269; and, in the year previous to that, there were 243. They are of significance, but there is also significant benefit to be derived from the learning.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

On the basis of the statistics available to him, can the Minister outline whether the legal duty to inform the coroner on the day of any serious incident has been fully adhered to during this time?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I understand that the hospitals involved have been working closely with the coroner. The duty to report deaths to the coroner is set out in section 7 of the Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959, which puts a statutory requirement on every medical practitioner, registrar of deaths or funeral director, every occupier of a house or mobile dwelling and every person in charge of an institution or premises in which a deceased person died to report a death to the coroner if it has resulted, directly or indirectly, from violence or misadventure, was by unfair means, was a result of negligence or malpractice on the part of others or was from any cause other than natural illness or disease for which the deceased had been seen and treated within 28 days of death or was in such circumstances as may require investigation. It is done urgently, and, occasionally — on a bank holiday, for example — it may be the day after that such deaths are reported, but that is something that all our trusts take very seriously.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The figures for serious adverse incidents are particularly high in the Northern Trust and Belfast Trust areas. Those are also areas where there are excessive four-hour waits. Does the Minister agree with Dr Jonathon Millar, formerly of the Royal Victoria Hospital, who indicated that excessive waits at A&E could contribute to serious adverse incidents? When will we reach GB levels of four-hour waits?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The number of excessive waits has fallen quite dramatically. Just a few years ago, we were looking at almost 1,000 people, on a monthly basis, waiting for over 12 hours. It is now about one tenth of that. We take excessive waits very seriously. That is why considerable work has been done to reduce that 12-hour waiting time, which has happened. I have met Dr Millar; I met him quite a while before he went on the TV. We discussed the issues. It was after that meeting with Dr Millar and others from the Royal ED that I decided to bring in the RQIA to conduct its work. So, I take very seriously what clinicians say if they raise concerns.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

3. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, given that accommodation for several GP practices in Lurgan is at capacity, at what stage are his plans to create a medical hub in the area. (AQO 5743/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Work is under way as part of a regional programme to develop a hub-and-spoke model to facilitate the improved provision of health and social care services in the community. The southern local commissioning group has identified a Lurgan hub with associated spokes as one of its priorities for inclusion within the next tranche of hubs. Those priorities will have to be considered together with the overall regional priorities within the capital programme and the availability of capital and revenue funding before the timing of individual projects can be determined.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Before I call Mr Moutray for a supplementary, I remind Members that this is a constituency-specific question.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his response. What is his assessment of the facilities that he visited recently in Lurgan and Donaghcloney?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I welcome the opportunity to visit such facilities and to see at first hand the conditions that people operate in. If you look at what we propose to do under Transforming Your Care and at some of the facilities that GPs operate in, you will quickly ascertain that those facilities are not suitable to meet the medium- to long-term needs of the health and social care sector. Therefore, we need to look at how we can address that. That is why the Southern Trust has identified Lurgan as one of the areas that is suitable to have hubs in place. That will give people with certain conditions a much greater opportunity to see a GP who specialises in, for example, dermatology, gynaecology or a range of other things. A specialist GP will be able to provide that support in a local community, and that will avoid people attending hospital. That is all a key element of Transforming Your Care, as we will look at how we can ensure that the primary care clinics are rolled out across Northern Ireland, with a spoke model to support smaller but nonetheless very essential facilities in villages such as Donaghcloney.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

4. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on his plans to introduce legislation on adoption reform. (AQO 5744/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is my intention to introduce a draft adoption and children Bill in the Assembly in the current mandate. The Bill is substantial, with 150 clauses and five schedules. My officials are continuing to instruct counsel, and, subject to the timely completion of the drafting of the Bill, I intend to seek Executive approval to consult on the draft Bill. With the agreement of the Executive, the consultation will commence in July 2014 and finish at the end of September 2014. It will be necessary to consult over the summer months to ensure that the Bill is introduced within the timescales required to enable its passage through the Assembly in the current mandate. My officials are keeping key stakeholders apprised of developments, including the proposed timescales for consultation.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

Thank you for your response, Minister. Can you tell the House what the current status is of either unmarried or same-sex couples who are deemed suitable for adoption in the current circumstances?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is as defined by the High Court's decision.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Given that consultation on the issue began back in 2006, why does the Minister believe progress in this area has been so slow?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is certainly something that I wanted to progress. Unfortunately, the Human Rights Commission took a case that went to court and consequently delayed the process of the Bill. The Bill will shorten the time taken to carry out adoption. I think that it is hugely unfortunate that the Assembly will not be making law in that instance, that the ability to make that law and to make decisions was taken off the Assembly and that the consultation that was carried out will not be reflected in the legislation that we will produce, because it appears to have been set aside by others.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

5. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for an update on any additional funds his Department may receive following underspends in other Departments in the 2013-14 financial year. (AQO 5745/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Executive have committed to closely monitoring the financial position across Departments over the remaining months of the financial year to ensure that any further resource surrenders can, if deemed appropriate, be recirculated towards my Department through the urgent procedures process. However, at this stage, my Department has not received any additional funding through that process.

Despite significant internal efforts to reduce and manage expenditure, our current assessment is that some £21 million is still needed to balance the books and to ensure that the safety and quality of services can be maintained. Without those additional funds, my Department will not be able to live within its budget control totals. I ask all my ministerial colleagues to urgently provide any additional support that they can to our pressurised health and social care services by declaring further reduced requirements to DFP. In the meantime, I will not support actions — nor, I suggest, would the wider Executive — that compromise patient and client safety and lead to poorer standards of care.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

Thank you, Minister, for that. I know that, during the year, because of the heavy pressures, you received £100 million in additional health funding through in-year monitoring. There was an allocation of £20 million for inescapable settlements arising from clinical neglect: how do you propose to meet those on schedule and from moneys that have yet to be bid for?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

All those things are part of the assessment that has been carried out, and it was unforeseen, in that we normally spend around £30 million a year on clinical negligence cases, which is a very large amount of money. Most cases are historical, and we have to meet those requirements because it is in law that we must. We have no means of reducing the historical clinical negligence claims that are coming in. The best way of reducing the number of cases for future Ministers is to ensure that the quality of care is such that there are fewer clinical negligence claims. Some very large claims are coming in on very complex cases, and people are left with very complex conditions. Often, families whose child was injured at birth will require money to provide support and care for that child for its lifetime. Therefore, it is something that we have to live with.

The number of new cases created and closed for the year to date is in line with the numbers for 2012-13, which were around 207. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of settled cases exceeding half a million pounds. In 2012-13, eight cases were settled for in excess of half a million pounds, as was the case in 2010-11 and 2011-12. However, of the 207 cases that have been settled at this point, 23 have been settled at more than half a million pounds, which is one of the reasons why we find ourselves in these circumstances.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Hopefully, people will be indicating at this point that there may be some funding that they can surrender. Twenty-one million pounds sounds like a lot of money, but, on a budget of close to £5 billion, it is not an awful lot of money. People cannot blame us for handing money back to Westminster. We are looking to spend the money that we have because we need to spend it to provide that level of service and care. I have made it clear throughout that, whatever the financial pressures, we cannot compromise on the quality of the care provided to the public and it is important that we continue to challenge waiting lists and waiting times and ensure that people are treated at an appropriate point with the right care and support.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Before I call Dolores Kelly, I remind Members and the Minister to use the microphone.

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

7. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety what impact the shortage of beds in hospitals is having on emergency departments. (AQO 5747/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Although the number of patients requiring emergency admission has increased by 3·5% over the past five years, the average length of stay for all patients in Northern Ireland has fallen by 13·5% since 2008-09. That change has taken place against the background that use of acute beds in Northern Ireland was approximately 25% higher than in England, they were not used as intensively and lengths of stay were longer. It is essential that the health and social care trusts ensure that bed capacity is used to the best effect so that patients do not wait excessive lengths of time in emergency departments. HSC has adopted a whole-system approach to improve the smooth movement of patients through and out of hospital, with improved internal hospital processes, multidisciplinary team working and interface between hospital and community services.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

That was an interesting speech from the Member. She knows full well that the Southern Trust applied for and received more beds for winter pressures. We did not hold off the Southern Trust or, indeed, any trust. Each trust and hospital will come under pressure, particularly at this time of the year, and it is important that, across Northern Ireland, we seek to manage that and ensure that other trusts step in and provide support when a particular trust is under pressure.

It would be remiss if we did not clearly identify what we are doing in bed management. More and more people receive intravenous drugs, blood transfusions and chemotherapy in their own home. That is right, and it needs to continue to grow. It works, and it is better care for the patient. That is why 'Transforming Your Care' is such an important document: first and foremost, it is about better care for the patient, but it also addresses the needs of the health service to meet the greater demand that is coming our way and will continue to come our way, because we are successfully keeping people alive longer and want to ensure that they get the best possible care while they are living.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Apart from the bed shortage in Craigavon, will the Minister detail other areas where there is a bed shortage, the impact it has on patients' treatment and how he plans to address the issue?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Where there are bed shortages, we need to look at whether there is an inappropriate use of beds. There are certainly trusts in which around 30% of beds are taken by people who could have been moved into the social care side of things more quickly, and it is important that we address that. In the Belfast Trust, for example, more than 20 people were waiting for more than a week to move out of a hospital bed, and that is an inappropriate use of beds. The issue is not the number of beds in a hospital but the fact that we need to improve the social care side and the packages that are available for people in their own home. That is why I was able to tell Mr McCarthy earlier today that 700,000 additional domiciliary hours had been provided. That was before we got an additional £5 million from the Department of Finance and Personnel in January to support domiciliary care further. If we are genuine about wanting to take hospital beds out and care for people in the community, that is what we need to do, and that is what we are doing.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Not only is there a shortage of hospital beds but there is a shortage of capacity in the wards. How can the Minister defend a constituent of mine being dumped out of a bed into a corridor and remaining there for six days during the week? It was only when I complained that — guess what? — he was discharged home. How can the Minister defend what is going on in our A&E hospitals?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I think that the Member will find that beds and wards are the same thing. Beds are part of our hospital system and are kept in wards.

We can all identify circumstances in which someone did not receive the appropriate care. I have done so in the past, I hear about it now, and we seek to deal with it when it arises. Hospitals operate under immense pressure, and there is greater and greater demand. More and more people use our hospitals so it is important that we have the right responses, including responses that, when appropriate, keep people out of hospital and in their own home and provide hospitals without walls.

That is an absolutely superb concept that is coming out of Transforming Your Care. When you talk to people who have used it and benefited from it, they are high in their praise, and we need to do more of it.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

That ends the period for questions for oral answer. We now move on to topical questions.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

1. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how essential maintenance is planned and monitored to ensure that patients and visitors are not inconvenienced in our hospitals. (AQT 861/11-15)

The Minister and I will have to stop meeting like this. This is the third time today.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

People will be talking, Mr Cree.

Each trust, in association with the health estates investment group (HEIG), has responsibility for essential maintenance. Where it becomes more technical, health estates will become involved; for example, with asbestos removal or a case of pseudomonas. A lot of expertise exists there. In the main, general maintenance will be provided by the trusts, and it is for them to manage it and ensure that it is done in a way that facilitates the public to access a hospital without compromising patient care. However, I suspect that I am going to hear something now.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

Yes, Minister. All politics is local. In Bangor Hospital, the sole lift has been out of order for several weeks, and no one can give a date as to when it will be repaired. Is there anything else that can be done to expedite its repair?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

We will certainly have it looked at. I know that a lift in this Building has been out of order for months. I do not know what is wrong with lift companies that they cannot ensure that lifts are fixed quickly. For people who access the facilities, particularly those with a disability, it is an important issue, and we give Mr Cree an assurance that we will come back to him on the matter. We thank him for drawing it to our attention.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

2. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety whether he can intervene to expedite the installation of the MRI scanner at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, given recent news of a delay, albeit officials say that the installation is going to plan. (AQT 862/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I heard some of the nonsense on the radio this morning. I have to say that the Chair of the Health Committee should have informed herself better before she went on. To say that it is for the Minister to answer the questions was pretty poor form, given that much of the information would be easily accessible by her.

A business case approval was granted in November 2012 for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. I supported the development of an MRI scanner in the children's hospital. It was not previously part of the plan.

People come on the radio and ask, "Why can you not just install this?" It must be recognised that we are installing not a 42-inch TV screen but a very technical piece of equipment that has the best imaging you can gain. It will involve having the right people in place to manage it, and its installation is very important. That involves piling, which has already taken place; removing asbestos, which is currently taking place; and ensuring that the building in which it is enclosed will not impact on other wards, bearing in mind that there is radioactivity involved. Criticism of the use of the private sector is bizarre because we are ensuring that people continue to get MRI scans through it while providing a scanner for the children's hospital, which is critical.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answer and for his commitment to progressing the matter. Other charities raised money to support the children's hospital; namely, the Children's Heartbeat Trust, which refurbished parents' accommodation in the unit. It has had trouble with the health trust in getting the unit open. Is there anything that the Minister can do to intervene?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I am certainly very happy to talk to the charitable trust about that. I know that, for the children's haematology unit, as a result of money raised by the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC), new houses have been opened on the Falls Road. The accommodation is excellent.

I know, and the Member knows very well himself, the importance to parents of having accommodation when they have a sick child. Very often, hospitals provide beds beside children, but the importance of having accommodation — to which one parent can perhaps go back, have a shower and rest properly for a few hours and then come back and replace the other at the bedside of the child — is very important. I am happy to talk to the Heartbeat Trust about that issue. I know that there are others who are interested in developing houses for parents in order to provide support like that which is provided in Birmingham. The Member knows who and what I am talking about in that instance.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

3. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to confirm that all the funding is in place for the MRI scanner at the children’s hospital and, of that funding, how much is from the private sector. (AQT 863/11-15)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. My question is very much along the same lines as the last question.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The funding is in place. Some £2 million was raised by the charitable organisation, which was absolutely tremendous work. I was able to more than match that by providing £2·75 million of public funding, and also to make a commitment to provide staff to man the MRI scanner. It is good news for everyone when the scanner goes in place. The children will be able to get it at the children's hospital, as opposed to having to travel over to the adult hospital.

MRI scanning is somewhat more complicated for children because, very often, they have to be sedated, whereas adults do not. Consequently, if an emergency comes in at the adult hospital and the child's appointment has to be displaced although the child has already been through a sedation process, that is very negative because the child has to be sedated a second time. So, in the interests of our children, I think that it is critical that we do this. It will also be beneficial to the main hospital because it will not have to scan children and, therefore, will have more MRI slots for adults. So, installing the scanner is a win-win situation for both hospitals.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Can the Minister give a timeline for the scanner to be in operation?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Yes. It is intended to go out for the main construction contract in June, with commencement of the work on that element of the development in August. Completion of the MRI suite is expected at the end of March 2015. Specifications for the equipment are currently being prepared by the trust's radiologists, in conjunction with the Regional Medical Physics Agency, and it is planned to procure this with a procurement and logistics service (PALS) call-off contract in time to facilitate installation in February or March 2015, prior to the handover.

I should say that, in acquiring scanners, the equipment improves constantly. It is one of those areas, like computers, where the equipment is always improving, so we are better to have the building in place and that element of the work done before we finally identify exactly what scanner we need, so that the two things come simultaneously.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

5. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how allied health professionals can help to deliver Transforming Your Care. (AQT 865/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Allied health professionals are a critical element to developing Transforming Your Care. For example, this morning I talked about how an occupational therapist was helping in the reablement programme. We can look at allied health professionals such as podiatrists, who are hugely beneficial in falls management and helping older people to stay on their feet. We are looking at people like physiotherapists, who can do so much to help with respiratory conditions and support the GPs in that. Allied health professionals are a key element in delivering Transforming Your Care.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

I thank the Minister for his response. How does the number of allied health professionals at present compare with that when he took up office?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Over the last two and a half years, we have been able to appoint an additional 300 allied health professionals. As I indicated, they are absolutely critical to providing quality care. They provide very good value for money and are considerably more cost-effective than doctors. They offer a different kind of service, and can reduce the pressure that is applied on hospitals, on consultants and the time of a lot of other people. In some instances, they can reduce the need for surgery. All in all, we are delighted to have those extra 300 allied professionals in the system because they are making a tangible difference.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

6. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how close his Department is to identifying or securing funding to meet the capital or accommodation requirements of rural health centres, including in Carrickmore and Fintona in my West Tyrone constituency where there is real need, given the five tranche 1 hub projects in primary care that were mentioned earlier. (AQT 866/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thought that Carrickmore might get a mention, and the Member did not let us down. A course of work is being done on all of this, and I hope to report to the Assembly, certainly within the next couple of months but hopefully sooner, on where we are. If we cannot deliver within a shorter timescale, we need to develop the projects in the next comprehensive spending review. We need to identify that primary care is a priority and that we will spend the funding on that. If we are genuinely to deliver Transforming Your Care, we need to support the primary care practitioners with appropriate facilities to carry out the work that we ask them to do.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his answer and his commitment. He identified that a lack of physical accommodation was restricting or hampering the efforts of community GPs and nurses to do more. What level of communication is there between the Department, trusts and GPs to address the issue?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

All of the trusts are working with local communities. In Omagh, for example, we are building a new primary care facility, which I know will be well used and supported by the local community in conjunction with the local hospital. For that hub to work effectively, however, it is important to have spokes going out to Carrickmore, Fintona and other areas. The spokes would provide local support so that a general practitioner or allied health professional based in Omagh might travel one day a week to places such as Carrickmore and Fintona to deliver the care needed in those communities.

That is the concept of the model, and I think that it is a good concept. However, the Member rightly points out that, if it is to work properly, we need to have the facilities for people to work in. If a GP facility is cramped and has little consulting space, you cannot bring in a considerable number of additional people to offer a further range of services. That element needs to be addressed.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

7. asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his decision on an Internet safety strategy, given that, in an answer to a question to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister on 24 February, I was informed that that Department, instead of taking responsibility for a cross-departmental strategy, had written to the Health Minister to ask him to do so. (AQT 867/11-15)

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Internet safety is obviously vital to all of us, particularly our younger population. We will look at and carry out work on it, because it is vital that children and their parents are well informed. They need to know about the dangers of predation on the Internet, the challenges that it presents to children and young people, and what they should avoid. Of course, parents have a key role in that.

When younger people engage on the Internet with people whom they do not know, they put themselves at risk, but parents are often oblivious to the risk. If parents were to see an older person talking to their child along the side of a road or wherever, they would be very quick to seek information and ask them what they were talking about and what they were doing. However, an awful lot of this happens in a child's bedroom and parents are oblivious to it.

So, in all elements of Internet safety, it is something that we all, as an entire Government, need to take very seriously. We in the Health Department will certainly take our side of it very seriously and seek to respond to it in any way that we can.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

1. asked the Minister of Justice to outline any plans he has to develop the Northern Ireland Forensic Science Service. (AQO 5755/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

A number of ongoing initiatives will help to ensure that Forensic Science Northern Ireland (FSNI) provides services that are cost-effective and support the delivery of faster, fairer justice.

Last October, I launched a transformation programme in FSNI to increase capacity in the laboratory and improve service delivery. That is a major reform initiative with a capital investment of over £17 million to ensure that FSNI is well placed to respond to the ever-changing demands of forensic science. Work has commenced on new accommodation for evidence recovery and DNA analysis as a result of that capital investment. A contract has also been awarded recently for the development of a new case management system and laboratory information management system.

In addition to the capital investment, a service improvement project has been developed to increase capacity and timeliness in the laboratory. A new method for profiling DNA, known as DNA 17, has also been delivered. FSNI is the first forensic science provider in the UK to use the new technology, which will provide significant benefits for the justice system in Northern Ireland.

A recent inspection of FSNI by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) provided assurance that the scientific expertise provided to the justice system has been maintained at a high level, but it identified the need for a more joined-up approach to the delivery of forensic services. A comprehensive action plan has been developed in response to that report.

The Department is also committed to developing a strategy for forensic services in partnership with the main criminal justice agencies. The strategy will include forensic services provided by the PSNI and FSNI, taking into account the wider strategic needs of the justice system.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I ask Members to use the microphones; there is some difficulty hearing people when they are behind the speaker.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answer. I know from working locally with police and victims of crime that there appears to be a lengthy delay in processing. What can be done to reduce that in the short term until some of those strategies are up and working?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Quite a lot of work is under way on a number of initiatives to improve the speed at which services are provided. For example, we are looking at such things as live links to link scientists to the courts and save them taking time away from the lab. We have seen the introduction of the rapid analysis process for cannabis and a new streamlined process for other drugs. The PSNI is making preparations to include presumptive testing for cannabis, which will also reduce the number of cases that have to be submitted. I believe that all of those will help. We will also seek to provide shorter, more focused reports to ensure that the work can be carried forward more speedily.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Can the Minister provide an update on his Department's progress on its action plan to try to tackle issues of delay and criticism of the length of time that is taken for the service to produce reports?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I just answered that point to some extent in my reply to Mr Hilditch. I am certainly also aware of a number of criticisms that have been made by certain members of the judiciary, not all of which are entirely fair to the staff of FSNI. I have been engaging through the criminal justice delivery group with the Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and also regularly with the Lord Chief Justice, to see how we can ensure that we get the system better joined up and working better to meet its needs.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

How much of Northern Ireland's forensic science-related work is outsourced?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I cannot answer that question precisely. A very small amount of it is outsourced. The vast majority of the work that is required is carried out in FSNI, although there are obviously certain specialist functions that are used so rarely that it would not be economical for us to manage them in the Seapark facility. If Mr Cree has specific questions about specific services, I will happily answer them.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

I am sure that the Minister would be prepared to accept constructive criticism, particularly when it comes from so many people who want an assurance from him that the forensic science service has the staff and resources to deliver those strategies, with which this House is choking.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I think that Mr Dallat highlights a fair point. The issue is not about having strategies but about ensuring that they are implemented. That is why there is a very significant programme going on in FSNI, with an additional member of staff looking to see that we update the processes. What has emerged from the CJINI report is that the science that FSNI carries out bears comparison with that of any other agency anywhere in Europe. We certainly need to ensure that the business practices meet the quality of the science.

Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim)

Minister, thank you for the information. I welcome the speeding up of, and improvements to, Forensic Service delivery in Northern Ireland. Will he explain to the House how that then dovetails into the wider and challenging programmes on speeding up justice generally across the whole system?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

As most Members will have heard me say, speeding up justice is a key issue. What is absolutely necessary is ensuring that, as cases proceed for criminal prosecution, all the relevant agencies work together. We have seen significant progress in the work that is being done between the Police Service and the PPS. We also need to ensure that where, for example, forensics are required, they are submitted in a timely way and that the research is done and reported on in a timely way to meet the ongoing needs. We have certainly seen some very good progress on case management, led by the Lord Chief Justice, which has ensured that cases proceed more speedily when they get to court. I believe that there is an emerging good tale, but it is not yet as good as it should be.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

2. asked the Minister of Justice whether he will seek and publish the list of names of the on-the-runs who received letters informing them that they were no longer being sought by the police. (AQO 5756/11-15)

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

3. asked the Minister of Justice what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or the Attorney General for England and Wales in relation to the on-the-runs issue. (AQO 5757/11-15)

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

8. asked the Minister of Justice for his assessment of the events that led to letters being issued and the royal prerogative of mercy being granted to on-the-runs. (AQO 5762/11-15)

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

11. asked the Minister of Justice for an update on any discussions he has held with the Northern Ireland Office on the current issue of the letters for on-the-runs. (AQO 5765/11-15)

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

12. asked the Minister of Justice when he, or any of his officials, first became aware of Operation Rapid. (AQO 5766/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

With your permission, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will take questions 2, 3, 8, 11 and 12 together.

I was unaware of the so-called administrative scheme for dealing with on-the-runs (OTRs), Operation Rapid, the associated letters, and the issuing of the royal prerogative of mercy until shortly before the judgement in the Downey case was made public. On learning of the detail of that, I sought an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State. I also received a briefing from a senior NIO official. I have had no contact with the Attorney General for England and Wales in relation to the on-the-runs scheme.

The Secretary of State clarified that the Department of Justice had no responsibility for that scheme, and she apologised for publicly suggesting otherwise. I made it clear that the DOJ would have no part in the shabby scheme, which was initiated during direct rule and before the devolution of justice to Northern Ireland.

Although the so-called administrative scheme has apparently continued since the devolution of justice, its operation and the exercise of the royal prerogative of mercy in relation to terrorism are matters for the Secretary of State. I note that the Secretary of State has said that the scheme has now ended and that no letters have issued since December 2012.

The content of those letters and the names of the persons to whom they were issued are also matters for the Secretary of State. However, the Prime Minister has announced that a judge will conduct an inquiry and is due to report by the end of May. I note that the Police Ombudsman is carrying out an urgent investigation and that the House of Commons Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee will also investigate the matter. The outcome of those inquiries should bring a degree of clarity that is currently lacking.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for his response. Can he inform us whether the PSNI has issued any information to the NIO about on-the-runs without his knowledge since the devolution of policing and justice powers?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am afraid that that really does fall into the category of unknown unknowns. I have no knowledge of what information may have passed between the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Office either before or since devolution.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Minister, have you had any consultations with our Attorney General with particular reference to the legality of the letters?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I thank Mr Rogers for the question. I have made it clear that I have sought legal advice. It is not convention that Ministers state from whom advice has been sought, so I am afraid that I cannot answer that question.

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

I understand that the Minister knew nothing about this deal but that his permanent secretary did. Has the Minister had time to discuss this with his permanent secretary since? Can he tell the House what new information his permanent secretary has furnished him with? Can he also tell us whether he feels that his Department has now been undermined by that knowledge?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am afraid that Mr Easton is ill-informed. The permanent secretary of the Department of Justice had no knowledge of the scheme. In a previous role in another Department, the person who is now the permanent secretary of the DOJ was aware of the scheme, but that is an entirely different issue. Members should be well aware of the convention on access to the papers of a previous Government: papers are not released to incoming Ministers and information is not passed on in order to:

"protect the confidentiality and impartiality of Civil Service advice".

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

The Minister said at some stage that he has no responsibility for these letters. However, I assume that he has responsibility for the Northern Ireland courts. Is the Minister aware of any OTR letters being used currently in a Northern Ireland court case?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Again, I have no knowledge, nor should I have any, of court proceedings as such. I would have knowledge only where my Department was directly involved, and I have no knowledge in that respect.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. Minister, would the legal position, as such, not preclude the naming of individuals in this scheme?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

My presumption is that there would be significant issues under the Data Protection Act regarding the naming of individuals. However, since it is not my Department's scheme and I have no knowledge of what detail it may encompass, I am not the best-placed person to answer that question. I suspect that the Secretary of State may be better placed than I.

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

Is the Minister telling the House that in the process of transferring devolved power to his office, no papers or files marked "on- the-runs" were received by his Department from either the Northern Ireland Office or the PSNI?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Yes. [Laughter.]

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

The Minister claims ignorance of a lot of things, but surely one of the matters that he must have investigated is the startling revelation in the Downey judgement of applications from the Northern Ireland Prison Service in relation to OTRs. If he has made enquiries, what do they show?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Yes, I have made enquiries. The issue arose when the Prison Service was the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Office. I have not yet got full details of what role the Prison Service may have had in that respect. However, clearly, as the Prison Service is now part of the DOJ, it is a matter of interest to me and I am following it up.

Pat Sheehan (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a chuid freagraí. I am sure that the Minister is aware that the Attorney General for England and Wales, Dominic Grieve, said in the House of Commons, in regard to the principle underlying the letters — although not the John Downey letter — that this was an administrative process, and one that was certainly lawful. Will the Minister tell us whether he agrees or disagrees with that statement?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I am afraid that I cannot. Since I have no knowledge of the scheme, I am in no position to judge whether or not it was lawful.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

Given the hurt that revelations about this scheme have caused to victims and the damage that it has caused to public confidence, does the Minister agree with me that the only way to deal with the past is in an open, ethical and comprehensive manner?

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

Yes, I most certainly agree. Dealing with the past might have become more difficult as a result of the Downey case, but it has also been proved to me to be all the more necessary. That is why people who say that they are walking away from talks and refusing to discuss the issues for which we, in this place, have responsibility seems to me to be a profoundly unwise statement. Whatever the reverberations and whatever may emerge from however many inquiries, we will continue to bear responsibility in this place for dealing with issues such as how we address the past. It is incumbent on all of us to work together to do that.

Sydney Anderson (DUP, Upper Bann)

14. asked the Minister of Justice what progress has been made in his discussions with the Northern Ireland Office, the Home Office and others on the full operation of the National Crime Agency locally. (AQO 5768/11-15)

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

With permission I will take questions 4 and 14 together.

The National Crime Agency’s remit here should be extended into the devolved arena, but under arrangements that respect our local policing architecture.

I believe that I have tabled appropriate arrangements to achieve that. I am continuing to press Sinn Féin and the SDLP to engage with me to resolve any remaining concerns.

As feared, it has become clear that the limitations placed on the NCA locally are having a negative impact. As ACC Drew Harris told the Justice Committee on 20 February:

"we can start to see where cracks are opening up."

In particular, the PSNI and others are missing out on the operational assistance that the NCA is providing to forces elsewhere. This includes surge activity in support, and with the agreement, of the PSNI. As a direct result, the PSNI is faced with having to divert resources from other priorities or to turn down NCA requests. There is also no mechanism for removing, through the civil courts, assets from those engaged in criminality in the devolved arena, which is a serious gap.

We are not part of the NCA's planning and priority arrangements, and the potential consequences of that are obvious. It is likely that these factors will get worse. The reality is that the longer the impasse, the more the impact. The beneficiaries will simply be organised crime groups.

I recently discussed the issue with the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable. In addition, my officials have been working with the NIO, the Home Office, the PSNI, the NCA and other Organised Crime Task Force partners.