This week in the Assembly- 10 November 2008

Monday 10 November

Questions to the Minister for Health, Social Service and Public Safety

South Belfast MLA Alasdair McDonnell will ask the Minister what steps he is taking to ensure all illegal immigrant children or children with non EU status (i) arriving and (ii) born in Northern Ireland, are given the complete course of childhood vaccinations, in the interests of public health.

West Belfast MLA Gerry Adams will ask the Minister what communication he has had with the Minister for Finance and Personnel on the release of public investment to commence work on the new regional hospital for Women and Children at the Royal Victoria Hospital site.

Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly will ask the Minister how many young people under the age of 18 with special needs are currently waiting for respite care.

North Down MLA Stephen Farry and Strangford MLA Kieran McCarthy will each ask the Minister what actions he has taken to implement the Bamford Review's recommendations.

David McNarry, MLA for Strangford, will ask the Minister for an update on the Sexual Health Strategy.

West Belfast MLA Sue Ramsey will ask the Minister what progress has been made in bringing forward an implementation plan for all 26 recommendations contained in the Assembly Health Committee's Report into the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm.

South Antrim MLA David Ford will ask the Minister to outline his Department's plans for mental health and learning disability provision over the next three years.

Questions to the Minister for Regional Development

North Belfast MLA Caral NíChuilín will ask the Minister for an update on the rapid transport system for Belfast.

Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O'Neill will ask the Minister what action he is taking to ensure that people from ethnic minorities can access information and services provided by his Department.

South Antrim MLA David Ford will ask the Minister what extra provision he will provide on public transport for people with disabilities

Questions to the Minister for Social Development

Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn will ask the Minister how many elderly people her Department expects to take their Winter Fuel Allowance.

West Belfast MLA Fra McCann will ask the Minister to outline what contingency plans she has in place to ensure that vital services, funded by her Department under Neighbourhood Renewal, are not wound up in March 2009 when funding is withdrawn from these programmes.

South Belfast MLA Anna Lo will ask the Minister if her Department will meet its annual commitment to reduce fuel poverty in 9,000 homes.

East Belfast MLA Naomi Long will ask the Minister what action she it taking to implement the Positive Steps Report.

East Antrim MLA Sean Neeson will ask the Minister what consultations she has had with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in relation to fuel poverty.

South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns will ask the Minister if she is bringing forward housing legislation during this Assembly session.

North Belfast MLA Fred Cobain will ask the Minister what impact the failure of the Executive to meet is having on the draft Housing Bill.

East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs will ask the Minister what impact the failure of the Executive to meet is having on the Programme for Government targets set for her Department.

Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly will ask the Minister for an update on her Department's work to promote a shared future.

Committee Business

Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, has proposed a motion that: "the Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and the Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 be approved".

Private Members' Business

Post-Primary Transfer
UUP MLAs Basil McCrea and Ken Robinson, both Members of the Committee for Education, have proposed a joint motion that: "this Assembly calls on the Minister of Education to end the uncertainty facing parents and teachers of children in Primary 6 by continuing with the existing post-primary transfer test until a replacement is designed and piloted by CCEA".

New Regional Women and Children's Hospital
Sinn Fein MLAs Gerry Adams and Sue Ramsey have proposed a joint motion that: "this Assembly calls for funding for a new regional hospital for women and children; and calls upon the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to provide a timetable for the commencement and completion of the project".

Tuesday 11 November 2008

Private Members' Business

Alcohol Misuse
SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey has proposed a motion that: "this Assembly considers that the misuse of alcohol in society causes serious damage to the health and social wellbeing of individuals and communities; and calls on the Executive to formulate, and implement, policies designed to reduce alcohol misuse".

Review of Environmental Governance
Alliance MLAs David Ford, Naomi Long, Kieran McCarthy and Trevor Lunn have submitted a joint motion that: "this Assembly expresses its concern at the failure of the previous Minister of the Environment to take forward the recommendations of the 'Review of Environmental Governance'; believes that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency is not adequate to deal with the challenges facing Northern Ireland; and calls on the Executive to re-consider this matter urgently".

Committee Business

Tuesday 11 November 2008

12.30pm - Business Committee
1.30pm - Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development

Wednesday 12 November 2008

10.00am - Committee for Finance and Personnel
10.00am - Committee for Education
10.30am - Committee for Regional Development
10.30am - Committee for Employment and Learning
2.00pm - Committee on Standards and Privileges
2.00pm - Committee for the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister
2.00pm - Committee on Procedures

Thursday 13 November 2008

10.00am - Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment
10.00am - Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
11.30am - Committee for Social Development
2.00pm - Public Accounts Committee
2.00pm - Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety