https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/ An independent tracker of the questions asked by Nuala McAllister, Alliance Party MLA for North Belfast, in the Northern Ireland Assembly – with answers, search, filters and downloads. en-gb Tue, 20 Oct 2026 01:47:00 GMT https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504670/ 504670-tabled Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether any intensive care units in Northern Ireland will be included in the UK-wide roll out of metagenomic testing. Awaiting answer; due by 21 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504532/ 504532-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the actions currently being taken by his Department alongside counterparts across the UK to address the shortage of hormone replacement therapy products. Awaiting answer; due by 20 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504531/ 504531-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any contact his Department has had with GPs regarding the recent shortage of hormone replacement therapy products. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504530/ 504530-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has made any assessment of the reasons for the shortage of hormone replacement therapy products. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504529/ 504529-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of people on a waiting list for over 55 accommodation, in the North Belfast constituency. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504528/ 504528-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail the number of people on a waiting list for a family home in the North Belfast constituency, broken down by the need for (i) two bedrooms; (ii) three bedrooms; (iii) four bedrooms; and (iv) more than four bedrooms. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504322/ 504322-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any progress his Department has made in developing a cancer data framework to inform and improve cancer services; and (ii) how he will ensure metastatic cancer will be an integral part of the development of mandated data sets, in line with the Cancer Strategy 2022–2032 commitment. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504321/ 504321-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any actions the Public Health Agency is taking, or plans to take, to modernise the breast screening programme; and (ii) whether a strategy to address inequities in screening uptake is being developed, given that Northern Ireland remains the only UK nation without such a strategy and that uptake in 2023-24 was 73.9 per cent, below the achievable target of 80 per cent; and (ii) the expected timescales for the delivery of any improvements. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504320/ 504320-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) whether his Department will review cancer waiting-time targets and introduce a 28-day standard with clear stage-by-stage timeframes; and (ii) the indicative timescale for any such change. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/504027/ 504027-answered Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on works to resolve recurrent flooding on the Shore Road near Mill Road, Newtownabbey. Answer (13 October 2026): This recurrent flooding is emanating from a combined sewer overflow on the NI Water sewerage network which is surcharging directly onto the Shore Road due to deficiencies in the existing sewerage network. NI Water has a scheme designed to resolve the flooding, however, ground investigation works are still required to finalise this design. These ground investigation works require access arrangements with the relevant landowners. Unfortunately to date, NI Water has not been able to obtain agreements with some of the landowners. As a result, it will not be possible to have a solution in place… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497039/ 497039-answered Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health for an update on foster care payments, including any plans to increase the number of foster carers. Answer (7 October 2026): Foster carers in Northern Ireland (NI) are entitled to an allowance to cover the cost of caring for foster children in their home. Allowances are set at a regional level, by age (banding), and are outlined within the annual published Fostering Model Scheme. My Department reviews the allowances payable to foster carers on an annual basis in respect of the decision for an annual uplift to apply to the allowances. For 2025/26, an annual uplift increase of 4% was approved and has been applied to the previous foster care allowance rates (for the 2024/25 financial year). The payment of this uplift… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/483888/ 483888-answered Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail when the Hospitals - Creating a Network for Better Outcomes - Public Consultation report will be published. Answer (6 October 2026): I published the analysis report of the public consultation on ‘Hospitals – Creating a Network for Better Outcomes’ on 3 September 2026. The report is available on the Department’s website at www.health-ni.gov.uk/consultations/hospitals-creating-network-better-outcomes-public-consultation The consultation received approximately 30,000 responses. It took some time to analyse and consider these. It is important to note that work to improve and reform our Health and Social Care System takes place continually and is not paused while consultation findings are being considered. Therefore, action… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/500385/ 500385-answered Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy, given their role in supporting economic growth and regional balance, to outline any work she is undertaking to minimise the impact of budget pressures on further education colleges and higher education institutions. Answer (5 October 2026): Dr Archibald (The Minister for the Economy): Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 1 and 13 together. I recognise the vital role that further education colleges and higher education institutions play in supporting our economy, developing skills and promoting regional balance. Ulster University has commenced a process inviting applications under a voluntary redundancy scheme. I appreciate that it is a worrying and uncertain time for staff. My Department continues to engage with the university, and I encourage the university to continue its constructive engagement with trade… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/502001/ 502001-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether an Index of Dental Costs will be introduced, as recommended by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration. Past due date; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/502000/ 502000-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health, following the General Dental Services Cost of Service Review, whether there are any plans to close the gap in fees for health service dentistry. Past due date; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/501999/ 501999-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether any consideration has been given to providing immediate financial support for those delivering health service dentistry. Past due date; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/501998/ 501998-tabled Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of the hourly rate figure within the General Dental Services Cost of Service Review. Past due date; due by 19 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/499101/ 499101-answered Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any reasons why PLGF-based testing for suspected preterm pre-eclampsia is not available in Northern Ireland, despite being available elsewhere in the UK. Answer (2 October 2026): I am supportive of the implementation of placental growth factor (PlGF) tests. A business case has been developed and considered by my Department and the Public Health Agency (PHA) Women’s and Children’s Planning Team. It assesses the feasibility of regional implementation and outlines the resources, costs and potential delivery models required to introduce PlGF testing across Northern Ireland. Funding for the implementation of PlGF testing has not yet been secured and, therefore, it is not currently possible to provide a definitive timetable for implementation. While my Department… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/499100/ 499100-answered Fri, 02 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail when PLGF-based testing for suspected preterm pre-eclampsia will be made available. Answer (2 October 2026): I support the implementation of placental growth factor (PIGF)-based testing. A business case has been developed and considered by my department and the Public Health Agency (PHA) Women's and Children's Planning Team which has assessed the feasibility of implementing placental growth factor testing regionally. The business case identifies the resources required, associated costs and potential pathways for implementation. As funding has not yet been confirmed, I am unable to provide a definitive timetable for implementation. My department continues to operate within a very challenging… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/498835/ 498835-answered Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any reasons why Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK in which the value of a general ophthalmic services voucher cannot be used towards myopia-management spectacles for children, who would otherwise qualify for optical support. Answer (1 October 2026): General Ophthalmic Services, (GOS), does provide help in the form of an allowance towards spectacles or contact lenses for all children under the age of 16yrs who are myopic and require a correction to improve their vision. This help towards health care costs is comparable to that provided in England and other parts of the UK. While there is emerging evidence that some products may help slow the progression of myopia, such interventions are not routinely commissioned as part of General Ophthalmic Services in Northern Ireland. This reflects current limitations in the evidence base, including… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/498834/ 498834-answered Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department, or the Strategic Planning and Performance Group, has assessed the clinical and financial case for allowing general ophthalmic services voucher funding to be used towards myopia-management spectacles, in line with the position in the rest of the UK. Answer (1 October 2026): General Ophthalmic Services, (GOS), does provide help in the form of an allowance towards spectacles or contact lenses for all children under the age of 16yrs who are myopic and require a correction to improve their vision. This help towards health care costs is comparable to that provided in England and other parts of the UK. While there is emerging evidence that some products may help slow the progression of myopia, such interventions are not routinely commissioned as part of General Ophthalmic Services in Northern Ireland. This reflects current limitations in the evidence base, including… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/498833/ 498833-answered Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether any consideration will be given to (i) reviewing the current Health and Social Care NI guidance preventing general ophthalmic services vouchers being used in association with myopia-management spectacles; and (ii) bringing Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK on this. Answer (1 October 2026): General Ophthalmic Services, (GOS), does provide help in the form of an allowance towards spectacles or contact lenses for all children under the age of 16yrs who are myopic and require a correction to improve their vision. This help towards health care costs is comparable to that provided in England and other parts of the UK. While there is emerging evidence that some products may help slow the progression of myopia, such interventions are not routinely commissioned as part of General Ophthalmic Services in Northern Ireland. This reflects current limitations in the evidence base, including… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/501530/ 501530-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health when he will answer (i) AQW 50494/22-27; and (ii) AQW 50495/22-27. Past due date; due by 5 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/501529/ 501529-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps that will be taken to improve research and data collection on the impact of perimenopause and menopause on women's health. Past due date; due by 15 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/501528/ 501528-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any training which GPs receive on identifying the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Past due date; due by 15 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/501527/ 501527-tabled Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy whether any consideration will be given to the appointment of a Women's Employment Ambassador, following the creation of a similar role by the UK Government. Past due date; due by 15 October 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497825/ 497825-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any reasons why HER2-low metastatic breast cancer patients do not have access to the drug Enhertu as a treatment option. Answer (27 September 2026): On 17 September 2026, NICE published updated final draft guidance recommending trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) as an option for the treatment of HER2-low metastatic or unresectable breast cancer in adults. This guidance updates previous NICE recommendations and comes following the recent resumption of commercial discussions between the manufacturer, NICE and NHS England. The conclusion of an agreement which allows NICE to determine that treatment is cost-effective is great news for eligible patients who stand to benefit and their families. My Department will formally review the final… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497824/ 497824-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail when HER2-low metastatic breast cancer patients will have access to Enhertu as a treatment option. Answer (27 September 2026): On 17 September 2026, NICE published updated final draft guidance recommending trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) as an option for the treatment of HER2-low metastatic or unresectable breast cancer in adults. This guidance updates previous NICE recommendations and comes following the recent resumption of commercial discussions between the manufacturer, NICE and NHS England. The conclusion of an agreement which allows NICE to determine that treatment is cost-effective is great news for eligible patients who stand to benefit and their families. My Department will formally review the final… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497823/ 497823-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of drugs and treatment options that are not offered in Northern Ireland but that are approved and offered to patients in England and Wales for (i) cancer patients; and (ii) patients with a life-limiting condition. Answer (27 September 2026): The information sought is not readily available as my Department does not hold a record of treatments which are available in other parts of the UK. My Department has a formal link with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) under which NICE Technology Appraisals are reviewed locally for their legal and policy applicability. Where found to be applicable, they are endorsed for implementation within Health and Social Care (HSC) organisations. In practice, this means that treatments that have been recommended by NICE for routine use in the NHS in England are also available… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497306/ 497306-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail when the Strategic Performance and Planning Group work completing the oversight and governance of the recommendations of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust on emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital will be completed. Answer (27 September 2026): The Northern Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust submitted its consultation feedback report on the proposed reconfiguration of general surgery services to my Department in May 2025. This was an early step in the change and withdrawal of service process. My Department subsequently commissioned an independent Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) review which concluded that the proposed clinical model was appropriate and would improve the quality of patient care and reduce the risk of an unplanned service failure. My officials continue to work with Northern HSC Trust colleagues to assess how… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497038/ 497038-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any process which patients entitled to portable oxygen provided through the health service can order canisters to be delivered to their home. Answer (27 September 2026): All patients will have been assessed by an authorised prescriber or an appropriately trained respiratory healthcare professional before being commenced on any oxygen therapy including portable oxygen. The operational process for obtaining portable oxygen thereafter will depend on the route through which the patient receives their oxygen supply. Patients will normally receive their oxygen provision through either the BOC service or the community pharmacy route, with ongoing supply managed through the relevant route as outlined below. BOC provides a range of products including oxygen and… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497037/ 497037-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail when his Department will give a formal response to all recommendations contained with the Muckamore Abbey Inquiry Report. Answer (27 September 2026): I have noted Recommendation 2 within the Report which provides a six-month timescale for my Department’s response. My Department is committed to move swiftly to respond to the Recommendations within this timeframe, and I expect a response to be made before that time. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497036/ 497036-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the review of the delegation of healthcare interventions to social care practitioners employed via direct payments. Answer (27 September 2026): My Department's Chief Nursing Officer commissioned the Northern Ireland Practice and Education Council for Nursing and Midwifery (NIPEC), to undertake a review of the delegation of healthcare tasks within Direct Payments arrangements. The review has been informed through engagement with key stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience and representative organisations, to better understand current practice and identify sustainable approaches that support the safe and effective delegation of healthcare, in line with relevant legislative and professional frameworks. The review is… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496877/ 496877-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail, broken down by gender, the use of da Vinci robotic surgical tools in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, in the 2025-26 financial year. Answer (27 September 2026): Robotic-assisted surgery is a minimally invasive surgery which can bring wide-ranging benefits to both the patient and the surgeon for specific procedures. In 2018, the da Vinci Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) platform was introduced within the urology service in Belfast HSC Trust. The service performs robotic assisted surgical procedures including radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy and pyeloplasty on the Belfast City Hospital site. RAS has now expanded into other surgical specialties, including gynaecology and colorectal procedures. In 2025/26, there were 238 RAS procedures… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496875/ 496875-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether his priorities will focus on health transformation to stabilise a stretched workforce and provide a sustainable health service for all patients. Answer (27 September 2026): The HSC Reset Plan places a clear focus on delivering an operationally & financially sustainable health service for the people of Northern Ireland. Reset recognises the HSC workforce as our greatest asset, and thus as a key enabler of reform. The plan commits to stabilising and optimising our workforce to support care across a range of settings. As work on rolling out our Neighbourhood Model advances, there will be a particular focus on developing the skills of health & social care professionals, to deliver more proactive, multidisciplinary and joined-up care closer to home. Alongside this… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496721/ 496721-answered Sun, 27 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any reasons why the new regional breast cancer diagnosis service is not meeting targets for 14 day diagnosis for urgent referral, including when he expects the 14 day target to be met. Answer (27 September 2026): While access to breast assessment services has improved, with regional waiting times reducing from approximately 12 weeks in September 2025 to around five and a half weeks currently, the 14-day standard for urgent referrals is not being achieved. This reflects a continued gap between demand and available capacity, driven by sustained growth in urgent referral volumes, workforce constraints, and the need to address a backlog of patients when the regional waiting list was introduced. Achieving the 14-day standard on a sustained basis will require both increased capacity and longer-term service… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497303/ 497303-answered Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any wider traffic calming measures planned or currently proposed for (i) the Prince Charles Way roundabout, Newtownabbey; (ii) Ashgrove Road; and (iii) the surrounding area. Answer (23 September 2026): Road safety is a high priority for my Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and to address the needs of all road users. We are acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads, particularly around schools. The Member will be aware that we met to discuss the pedestrian crossing at the Prince Charles Way Roundabout and I am pleased to advise that work is progressing well to deliver this proposed toucan crossing. Officials have received the initial design from our traffic signals contractor, and… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497302/ 497302-answered Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail when the pedestrian crossing, near Ashgrove Primary school at the Prince Charles Way roundabout, Newtownabbey, will be installed. Answer (23 September 2026): Road safety is a high priority for my Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and to address the needs of all road users. We are acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads, particularly around schools. The Member will be aware that we met to discuss the pedestrian crossing at the Prince Charles Way Roundabout and I am pleased to advise that work is progressing well to deliver this proposed toucan crossing. Officials have received the initial design from our traffic signals contractor, and… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496878/ 496878-answered Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the level of funding that will be allocated from her Department to Belfast City Council for the Shaping Sustainable Places programme. Answer (23 September 2026): My officials are liaising with colleagues in the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on the development of the proposed Shaping Sustainable Places programme. As the Outline Business Case is still being developed, no decision has been taken on funding allocations to individual councils, including Belfast City Council. Executive approval will be required before the programme can be launched and any future allocations will be subject to budget availability. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496720/ 496720-answered Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health whether there has been any initial assessment of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service's release to rescue scheme. Answer (23 September 2026): Ambulance handover delays have presented a significant challenge across the HSC system. During 2025/26, there were approximately 20,000 ambulance handover delays of more than two hours at Emergency Departments (ED), impacting both patient safety and NIAS's capacity to respond to emergency calls. In response to this, a regionally agreed two-hour handover threshold was implemented on 1 December 2025. While this delivered some improvement, delays at EDs remained at an unacceptable level. The Release to Rescue protocol was subsequently introduced on 27 April 2026. Under this arrangement, where… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497717/ 497717-answered Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure when the pedestrian crossing at Prince Charles Way roundabout, at the junction towards the Church Road and O'Neill Road, will be complete. Answer (22 September 2026): Ms Kimmins: As I have said in previous responses, road safety remains an absolute priority for me and my Department, and we are committed to working proactively to make our roads safer and to address the needs of all road users. We are acutely aware that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups using our roads, particularly around schools. : The Member will be aware that we met to discuss the pedestrian crossing at the Prince Charles Way roundabout. I am pleased to advise that work is progressing well to deliver the proposed toucan crossing. Officials have received the… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497305/ 497305-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail when the entirety of works, including the (i) repainting of yellow boxes; and (ii) resurfacing of roads and footpaths, will be completed on the Antrim Road, Belfast, leading to the Sandyknowes roundabout. Answer (16 September 2026): My Department identifies actionable defects for repair through regular routine highway safety inspections and through public reporting via the online Report a Fault system. Defects are categorised using a range of options and a priority is set based on the severity of safety risk to the public. An instruction has been issued to the contractor to repair the damage and this will not be included in their programme of work. Road markings which are in need of refreshment are identified through these safety inspections and passed to our external contractor for renewal. Road markings are not… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497304/ 497304-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the works required to complete the resurfacing of Antrim Road, Belfast, leading to the Sandyknowes roundabout, in regards to the destruction caused during the disorder on 10 June 2026. Answer (16 September 2026): My Department identifies actionable defects for repair through regular routine highway safety inspections and through public reporting via the online Report a Fault system. Defects are categorised using a range of options and a priority is set based on the severity of safety risk to the public. An instruction has been issued to the contractor to repair the damage and this will not be included in their programme of work. Road markings which are in need of refreshment are identified through these safety inspections and passed to our external contractor for renewal. Road markings are not… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496722/ 496722-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure for an update on the implementation of segregated cycle lanes around Sailortown, North Belfast, leading into Belfast City centre. Answer (16 September 2026): My Department is currently progressing a number of Active Travel projects that will improve connectivity for the Sailortown area of North Belfast. The Sailortown Pedestrian and Cycle Improvement Scheme will link to the Belfast Cycling Network and aims to provide new high quality active travel infrastructure connecting York Street Train Station, Ulster University and the Cathedral Quarter via Dock Street, Corporation Street and Great Patrick Street. Detailed design is ongoing following positive initial public engagement in October 2025, and my Department plans to commence the statutory… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/470463/ 470463-answered Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on her plans to create new offences of directing and participating in serious organised crime. Answer (16 September 2026): ANSWER to AQO 3093 22-27 Members will be aware that I plan to introduce two new offences of directing and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group, via amendment at Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill. The intention of the proposed provisions is to create specific legislation for prosecuting individuals involved in criminal conduct linked to serious organised crime in Northern Ireland; criminalise those who, at any level, are involved in the commission and undertaking of serious organised crime; and pursue those who work together to commit or conspire to… https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/498481/ 498481-tabled Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of respite sessions (i) carried out; and (ii) initially confirmed and later cancelled, in (a) June; (b) July; and (c) August 2026, broken down by Health and Social Care Trust. Past due date; due by 30 September 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/498480/ 498480-tabled Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of children with disabilities in long-term care who have access to their parents, whether through visits or phonecalls. Past due date; due by 30 September 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/498479/ 498479-tabled Tue, 15 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of children with disabilities who are currently in full-time care. Past due date; due by 30 September 2026. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/497590/ 497590-answered Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities whether the capital limit for Universal Credit can be waived on discretionary grounds. Answer (14 September 2026): Where capital exceeds £16,000 a claimant will not be entitled to Universal Credit. Departmental decision makers have no discretion to waive this limit. Legislation does provide for prescribed capital disregards in specified circumstances. However, these disregards are not applied on a discretionary basis. https://askedbynuala.nidata.fyi/questions/496572/ 496572-answered Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for the Economy To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department has made any assessment of the impact of job losses in Ulster University, particularly in relation to the campus in North Belfast. Answer (14 September 2026): Dr Archibald: Ulster University has announced the commencement of a process inviting applications under a voluntary redundancy scheme. Ulster University is an autonomous institution, and decisions relating to staffing are a matter for it. My Department continues to engage with the university on the issue. I encourage the university to continue its constructive engagement with trade unions, and I hope that any compulsory redundancies will be avoided. It is still too early in the process to fully assess or quantify the impact on any individual campus, including the north Belfast campus. I…