https://askedbysian.fyi/ An independent tracker of the questions asked by Sian Mulholland, Alliance Party MLA for North Antrim, in the Northern Ireland Assembly – with answers, search, filters and downloads. en-gb Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:43:08 GMT https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502927/ 502927-tabled Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education pursuant to AQW 52049/22-27, to detail any evidence base, including any stakeholder engagement undertaken by his Department or CCEA with (i) bereavement charities; (ii) school leaders; (iii) teachers; (iv) school counselling services; (v) parents; and (vi) children and young people with lived experience of bereavement, which informed the decision not to include a discrete age-appropriate module on grief and bereavement within the proposed curriculum. Awaiting answer; due by 22 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502926/ 502926-tabled Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities pursuant to AQW 53109/22-27, to detail any changes that have been made to Arts Council NI (i) funding criteria; (ii) outreach priorities; and (iii) funding allocations, as a result of the participation inequalities identified in the Audit of Inequalities 2026. Awaiting answer; due by 22 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502925/ 502925-tabled Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities pursuant to AQW 53109/22-27, to detail any Arts Council NI funding programmes that have been (i) screened; (ii) monitored: and (iii) evaluated, against the participation inequalities identified in his Department’s Audit of Inequalities 2026, including the date of each assessment. Awaiting answer; due by 22 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502924/ 502924-tabled Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities pursuant to AQW 53109/22-27, to detail the expected completion and publication date for the Arts Council NI Social Class survey of Artists in Northern Ireland. Awaiting answer; due by 22 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502923/ 502923-tabled Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to AQW 53110/22-27, to detail (i) the number of Universal Credit households in payment in May 2026, broken down by (a) single adults without children; (b) couples without children; (c) lone-parent households; and (d) couple households with children; and (ii) the proportion within each household type that had earnings from employment or self-employment. Awaiting answer; due by 22 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500678/ 500678-answered Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to his Department's Audit of Inequalities 2026, to detail any action he is taking to address the report’s finding that one in every four debt advice clients was a single parent, representing a potential inequality for women, who are more likely to be single parents. Answer (7 October 2026): My Department funds the Northern Ireland Debt Advice Service, which provides free, independent and regulated debt advice across Northern Ireland. This service enables people to access high-quality support when they are experiencing financial difficulty or are concerned about falling into debt. A key focus of my Department’s approach is early intervention, helping people access advice as soon as financial difficulties arise to prevent problems from escalating. This is particularly important for households facing financial pressures, including single-parent households. Through the Integrated… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499322/ 499322-answered Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of transport barriers, preventing disabled people from accessing further education, apprenticeships and skills training. Answer (7 October 2026): My Department considered transport barriers and the needs of learners with disabilities as part of the wider 2023 Review of Further Education Student Support. The needs identified are being addressed through a range of financial and practical support available across further education and relevant skills programmes, including Home to College Transport, FE Grants, the Hardship Fund and travel assistance through Skills for Life and Work. This work is complemented by my Department’s Review of Approach to Widening Participation in Higher Education, which considered barriers faced by… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499323/ 499323-answered Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any data that her Department holds on the difference between the number of journeys made by disabled and non-disabled people in Northern Ireland. Answer (6 October 2026): According to the Travel Survey for NI, persons with a disability took an average of 628 journeys per person in 2024. Persons without a disability took more journeys with an average of 938 per person in 2024. All modes of travel are included, such as walking, cycling, car, public transport, motorcycle, taxi, other private, and other public. ‘Disability’ is measured using ‘limiting long-standing illness’. Respondents are defined as having a limiting long standing illness if they have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last for 12 months or more, and… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500681/ 500681-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to AQW 51323/22-27, to detail the number of Universal Credit households with earnings from employment or self-employment, where at least one claimant has limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity. Answer (5 October 2026): Pursuant to AQW 51323/22-27, in May 2026, 68,400 (30%) of the 226,800 households receiving Universal Credit had earnings from employment or self-employment. Of these 68,400 households, there were 12,770 households where at least one claimant has limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500680/ 500680-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to AQW 51323/22-27, to detail the (i) number; and (ii) proportion of Universal Credit households with earnings from employment or self-employment, broken down by household type, including (a) single adults without children; (b) couples without children; (c) lone parent households; and (d) couple households with children. Answer (5 October 2026): Pursuant to AQW 51323/22-27, in May 2026, 68,400 (30%) of the 226,800 households receiving Universal Credit had earnings from employment or self-employment. The number and proportion of these households by household type are as follows: Household Type Households in Payment with Earnings Proportion of Households in Payment with Earnings Couple 2,930 4% Couple with child(ren) 15,230 22% Single 11,650 17% Single with child(ren) 38,590 56% Total 68,400 100% Source: Universal Credit Full service (UCFS) system at May 2026. These figures are subject to change due to retrospective updates to UCFS… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500679/ 500679-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to his Department's Audit of Inequalities 2026, whether the Arts Council NI's funding programmes are assessed against the participation inequalities, identified in the report. Answer (5 October 2026): This issue is an operational matter for the Arts Council, they have advised me as follows: ‘The Arts Council evaluates its programmes against the factors identified in the Departments Audit of Inequalities 2026. All new programmes are fully screened, monitored and evaluated. The Arts Council conducts outreach programmes to engage communities who would not normally engage or avail of arts provision. We work with partners to deliver outreach programmes and schemes to include Minority Ethnic Artist, Rural Arts Engagement, Arts & Older People, Community Engagement, Arts & Young People, Arts and… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500492/ 500492-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for an updated timeline on any policies related to the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme. Answer (5 October 2026): Significant progress has been made across all four policy areas in the current phase of the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme. A public consultation on the development of a new Museums Policy opened on 27 April 2026 and has now concluded. Officials are currently analysing the responses received, and a departmental response will be published in due course. A public consultation to inform a new Historic Environment Policy opened on 14 August 2026 and will remain open until 23 October 2026. On 30 September 2026 a public consultation to inform the development of a new policy in… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500491/ 500491-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any engagement with the Culture, Arts and Heritage Taskforce, regarding the consultations and policy development of the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme. Answer (5 October 2026): The remit of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Taskforce concluded with the publication of Investing in Creative Delivery. However, the work of the Taskforce, together with the extensive engagement and consultation undertaken in support of its report, has provided an important foundation for policy development under the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499789/ 499789-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the State Care Monuments within the North Antrim constituency, at which (i) conservation or repair works are required; and (ii) public access is currently restricted, including the (a) estimated cost; (b) funding allocated; and (c) planned completion date of works, at each site. Answer (5 October 2026): None; and Public access is restricted at 5 of the sites in this constituency as there is no established public right of way. These sites are: Craig’s The Broadstone; Craigs Dolmen; Duncarbit Standing Stone; Ossian’s Grave; and Coshkib Rath Pair – The Twin Towers. These are mainly prehistoric monuments that are currently located within agricultural land that is actively used for grazing by the landowners. There is currently no plans to progress works at these sites or funding allocated to them. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502017/ 502017-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any assessment his Department has made of the value for money delivered by Advice NI’s Debt Advice Service, in light of the report From Delay to Action: Research on Debt Advice, Shame and Effective Messaging, finding that the service delivered £5.83 of social value for every £1 invested and created almost £9 million in social value in 2024-25. Awaiting answer; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502016/ 502016-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any consideration his Department has given to the findings of Advice NI’s report From Delay to Action: Research on Debt Advice, Shame and Effective Messaging, including whether findings relating to delayed help-seeking, shame and stigma, and the importance of early access to debt advice will be incorporated into the Anti-Poverty Strategy action plan. Awaiting answer; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502015/ 502015-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 52193/22-27, to detail any funding allocated to the Together for Families model in 2026/27, broken down by (i) programme element; and (ii) Health and Social Care Trust. Awaiting answer; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/502014/ 502014-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW 52193/22-27, to detail the implementation timetable for each remaining element of the Together for Families model, including (i) the Enhanced Family Support Service; (ii) strengthened Family Support Hubs; (iii) the Intensive Family Support Service; and (iv) the Family Support Open List. Awaiting answer; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500677/ 500677-answered Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities, pursuant to his Department's Audit of Inequalities 2026, to detail any action he is taking to address the report’s finding that participation in the arts is lower among men, Catholics, people living in the most deprived areas, people with dependants, older people and people with disabilities. Answer (2 October 2026): The new Arts Policy under development in the Heritage, Culture and Creativity Programme will seek to improve access and increase participation, particularly among people and communities who may feel the arts are not for them. Support for grassroots and community-based arts organisations will play a vital role in engaging underrepresented groups and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, location or personal circumstance, has opportunity to participate in and benefit from the arts. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499788/ 499788-answered Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the heritage assets within the North Antrim constituency, currently included on the Heritage at Risk Register, broken down by (i) location; (ii) date of entry; and (iii) current condition. Answer (2 October 2026): There are 87 heritage assets on the Heritage at Risk register within the North Antrim constituency: 2 are in ‘Good’ condition, 25 are in ‘Fair’ condition, 26 are in ‘Poor’ condition, 16 are in ‘Very Poor’ condition and 18 are ‘Ruinous’. I have arranged for the detail of heritage assets within the North Antrim constituency, shown on the Heritage at Risk Register broken down by (i) location; (ii) date of entry; and (iii) current condition to be placed in the Assembly Library due to the volume of information provided. Please refer to the table in Annex A. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498846/ 498846-answered Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the roll-out of the Together for Families model. Answer (1 October 2026): A Programme has been established and a significant amount of work has been progressed to date to implement the core elements of the new Together for Families model which was formally launched on 10 September 2026. Progress to date includes: Extensive stakeholder engagement on core elements of the model including a series of webinars and market engagement events on the Enhanced Family Support Service element of the model, and a series of consultation events with Family Support Hubs. The design phase has completed for the Enhanced Family Support Service element and the application form along… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/501548/ 501548-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any escalation or fast-track arrangements available for (i) Disability Living Allowance claims for children under 16 with cancer; (ii) Personal Independence Payment claims by young people aged 16 to 24 with cancer, including (a) any criteria for escalation; (b) any referral routes; (c) whether third sector cancer social workers may refer cases; and (e) the number of such cases escalated in each of the last three years. Awaiting answer; due by 15 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/501547/ 501547-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether the forthcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy action plan will include measures to reduce delays in access to disability benefits for children and young people with cancer, including (i) consideration of the three-month qualifying period; (ii) the use of oncology medical evidence and; (iii) automatic or expedited processing following a confirmed cancer diagnosis. Awaiting answer; due by 15 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/501546/ 501546-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the average processing time for (i) Disability Living Allowance claims for children under 16 with cancer; and (ii) Personal Independence Payment claims for young people aged 16 to 24 with cancer, in each of the last three years. Awaiting answer; due by 15 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499321/ 499321-answered Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether the £16 million Pathways to Work and Wellbeing project will include a defined cohort of young people aged 18 to 24 to test (i) integrated employment; (ii) health; (iii) skills; and (iv) community support, for those whose disengagement is associated with (a) disability; (b) ill health; and (c) multiple barriers, such as poverty. Answer (30 September 2026): The Pathways to Work and Wellbeing Transformation Project will place an emphasis on supporting young people who are economically inactive, who present with a disability or health-related barrier to employment. However, participation will not be restricted to any specific age group or defined cohort. The Project will apply a principle of supporting anyone with a disability and health-related barrier to employment, that could benefit from more integrated employment, health, skills and community support. Therefore, whilst young people will be a key focus of the testing, an inclusive approach… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499118/ 499118-answered Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether any assessment has been made by his Department of the impact of reductions to the Local Growth Fund on the capacity of council-led Labour Market Partnerships to deliver local employment and skills support. Answer (30 September 2026): The eleven Labour Market Partnerships develop Action Plans annually that identify current key challenges and priorities facing their local labour markets. The impact of reductions to the Local Growth Fund, as well as wider economic and labour market conditions, will form part of the assessments that inform those action plans. However, current budget funding levels do not provide my department with the capacity to mitigate the consequences of the reductions to the Local Growth Fund. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499117/ 499117-answered Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether any assessment has been made by his Department of the impact of reductions to the Local Growth Fund on disabled people’s ability to enter and remain in employment, including those who rely on a Motability Scheme vehicle to travel to work or training. Answer (30 September 2026): My Department recognises the significant impact of the reductions in Local Growth Fund, both to organisations in the community and voluntary sector, and to the more than 8,000 people who are projected to fail to benefit from support. Local Growth Fund expenditure on employability projects is currently administered by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. Detailed information is not available to make a specific assessment on impacts for those who rely on a Motability Scheme vehicle. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499116/ 499116-answered Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether any assessment has been carried out by his Department of the impact of reductions to the Local Growth Fund on (i) workloads; (ii) staffing; and (iii) service delivery, within Jobs and Benefits offices. Answer (30 September 2026): My department recognises the negative impact that the reduction in Local Growth funding has on organisations in the community and voluntary sector and the projected reduction in support for over 8,000 people. This has an undoubted impact on service demand, including across the Jobs & Benefits office network. My department continually reviews workloads, staffing requirements and the wider labour market. Staff in my Jobs & Benefits offices work closely with a wide range of partner organisations to deliver support that helps people into work. However, current funding levels unfortunately do not… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/501292/ 501292-tabled Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any contingency plans that are in place to ensure uninterrupted ferry services to Rathlin Island, following the decision by the current operator not to extend its contract beyond 10 January 2027. Awaiting answer; due by 14 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/501291/ 501291-tabled Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any recommendations from the Rathlin Citizens Panel that have been incorporated into her Department's planning for future ferry services to Rathlin Island. Awaiting answer; due by 14 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/501290/ 501290-tabled Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) when the procurement process for a new Rathlin Island ferry service operator is expected to commence; and (ii) any timetable that has been set for the appointment of a successor operator, before January 2027. Awaiting answer; due by 14 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/497319/ 497319-answered Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether individuals who split their time between NI and Ireland are entitled to be registered with a GP in both jurisdictions. Answer (29 September 2026): In Northern Ireland, a person seeking to register with a GP practice is generally expected to be ordinarily resident in the area served by that practice and to meet the relevant entitlement requirements. Individuals who are resident in another jurisdiction, such as Ireland, and depending on their circumstances, be entitled to receive necessary or temporary healthcare, but this is not the same as being permanently registered with a GP practice in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland entitlement to access publicly funded healthcare is residency based. The Provision of Health Services to… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499319/ 499319-answered Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail how the Careers Action Plan 2025–2028 will ensure that, each young person identified as being at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training, has a named point of contact and a completed handover into (i) education; (ii) training; (iii) employment; and (iv) appropriate specialist support. Answer (28 September 2026): The Careers Action Plan 2025-2028, published jointly by the Department for the Economy and Department of Education, does not contain an action to specifically identify named contacts for young people at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET). However, the Action Plan does seek to improve careers provision and progression outcomes through earlier intervention, stronger partnership working and more coordinated support. It includes a range of actions intended to support young people facing barriers to progression and strengthen the arrangements that help them move… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498975/ 498975-answered Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice to outline how her Department uses trauma-informed practice. Answer (28 September 2026): Mrs Long: As lead Minister for the Executive programme on paramilitarism and organised crime, which has invested over £1·5 million to support the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland in embedding trauma-informed practice across sectors, I fully support the adoption of trauma-informed approaches in my Department and across all of our public services. The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland works with Justice partners to ensure that our services recognise the impact of trauma and are delivered in ways that support better outcomes for individuals and communities. The establishment of a… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500493/ 500493-tabled Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the (i) nature; and (ii) uptake, of safeguarding training for employees of (i) his Department; and (ii) it's arm's-length bodies Awaiting answer; due by 9 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500490/ 500490-tabled Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the waiting time for gynaecological (i) referrals; and (ii) surgery, in each Health and Social Care Trust. Awaiting answer; due by 9 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/500489/ 500489-tabled Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any intervention or pathway support that has been put in place to address waiting times for gynaecological referrals and surgery in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. Awaiting answer; due by 9 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499320/ 499320-answered Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of Adviser Discretion Fund awards made to people aged 16 to 24, broken down by the purpose for which the support was provided, for the (i) 2023-2024; (ii) 2024-2025; and (iii) 2025-2026, financial year. Answer (24 September 2026): My Department does not record the requested information by age group. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498496/ 498496-answered Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on any progress made towards delivery of the Ballycastle Public Realm Scheme. Answer (24 September 2026): Progress towards the delivery of the Ballycastle Public Realm Scheme slowed in October 2024 and subsequently paused following safety concerns relating to the Antrim Arms Hotel, a key building within the project area. Whilst the hotel was demolished on 8 July 2026 and the future use of the site remains uncertain, my officials will continue to work with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to explore potential regeneration projects that can deliver real benefits for the town. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498495/ 498495-answered Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education whether any consideration has been given to introducing an age-appropriate module on grief and bereavement within the school curriculum, in light of recent changes in England. Answer (23 September 2026): Schools have pastoral care policies and structures so that children and young people know who they can contact if they require support, for a range of reasons, including bereavement. Further to this, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment has provided a range of resources which address grief, loss, and bereavement both at primary and post primary level for schools to use within their curriculum as appropriate. The statutory curriculum does not currently include a discrete module on grief and bereavement. The proposed Personal, Social, Civic and Careers (PSCC) curriculum… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/497323/ 497323-answered Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail whether the impact of Translink’s proposed savings is being assessed across different age groups, including any measures that have been considered to avoid or mitigate an adverse impact on people aged 16 to 23. Answer (23 September 2026): Translink has advised it is currently assessing the equality impacts of its proposed savings through an ongoing Equality Impact Assessment consultation, including consideration of impacts across all Section 75 categories, such as age. Translink has advised it will consider all consultation responses before reaching a final decision, including any evidence on the impact of the proposals on 16 to 23-year-olds and whether mitigation measures may be required. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499790/ 499790-tabled Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the (i) number; and (ii) value, of (a) applications received; (b) awards made; and (b) eligible applications not funded under each stream of the Historic Environment Fund, for projects within the North Antrim constituency, for each financial year from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Past due date; due by 7 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498494/ 498494-answered Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on proposals for the use of the £7,080,000 Local Growth Fund capital allocation. Answer (21 September 2026): My Department has received an indicative 2026/27 Local Growth Fund capital allocation of £7.068 million. This comprises £5.648 million under Enhancing Productivity and £1.420 million under Promoting Active Participation. Proposals have been selected for delivery through my Department and are being worked up. This includes a recently announced allocation of £1.974 million to the Community Infrastructure Fund to fund sixty-eight additional projects. The remaining proposals are subject to the completion of the necessary affordability, deliverability and governance checks, including approval of… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499120/ 499120-tabled Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any support available to families of nonspeaking children to assist with their communication needs. Past due date; due by 2 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/499119/ 499119-tabled Thu, 17 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail whether communication access competencies form part of mandatory training for relevant health and social care professionals. Past due date; due by 2 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498847/ 498847-tabled Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of the capacity of the Communication Advice Centre to provide timely specialist communication assessments and support for children and adults. Past due date; due by 1 October 2026. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/497322/ 497322-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any assessment that has been undertaken of the cumulative annual cost of the proposed yLink changes for young people who depend on public transport to access university, further education, training or employment. Answer (16 September 2026): I am advised by Translink that, due to the wide range of travel patterns and service combinations across the public transport network, an in-depth assessment of the cumulative annual cost of the proposed yLink changes, which remain under consideration, has not been undertaken. yLink card holders would continue to receive a 33% discount compared with standard adult fares. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/497321/ 497321-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any information that Translink has provided to her Department on the additional revenue expected from reducing the yLink discount from 50 per cent to 33 per cent, including any assumptions made regarding passenger numbers and changes in travel behaviour. Answer (16 September 2026): I am advised by Translink that it has assessed the financial implications of reducing the yLink discount from 50% to 33% and it expects the change to generate approximately £230,000 additional revenue per month. Translink has informed my Department that the change is expected to generate additional revenue and that its assessment is based on assumptions regarding customer travel behaviour, including some migration to alternative ticket products and a potential reduction in passenger numbers following the reduction in the level of discount available. https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/479569/ 479569-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on the Speeding Up Justice programme. Answer (16 September 2026): The Speeding Up Justice Programme is a five-year programme of work, driven by Criminal Justice Board, to reduce avoidable delay across the criminal justice system. Part of the Executive’s Programme for Government delivery, specifically with regard to the Safer Communities priority, it is underpinned by the Reform and Transformation of Public Services priority. The Programme comprises five projects – Out of Court Disposals, Early Engagement, Committal Reform, Remit of the Magistrates’ Court and Digital. The Early Engagement and Out of Court Disposals projects are supported by £20.5m of… https://askedbysian.fyi/questions/498497/ 498497-tabled Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any training provided to health and social care staff on (i) recognising the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause; and (ii) treatment pathways available to women. Past due date; due by 30 September 2026.