Published pre May 2022

This is a tag applied to all posts published before May 2022. This is because they are all using the same single post template that won’t be used on new posts going forward.

Outpatient appointments: why are we waiting?

by Lesley-Ann.Black
25th May 201631st March 2024

Despite recent investment, waiting lists are at an all-time high. Consultant-led outpatient appointments provide an opportunity for patients to receive consultation, investigation and minor treatment. Current demand is high, with over 1.5 million outpatient appointments occurring each year. Some clinical specialities have long waiting lists, resulting in patients experiencing significant delays to get treatment. This in turn can have a detrimental impact on their health and well-being.

Suicide rate per 100,000 persons; Belfast North and Belfast West are the two constituencies with the highest average annual suicide rate

Changes ahead for special educational needs

by Caroline.Perry
23rd May 201631st March 2024

The growth of special educational needs and the implementation of new legislation point to challenges ahead.

There has been a steady increase in the prevalence of special educational needs (SEN) in Northern Ireland over the past ten years, rising from 16% of all school pupils in 2005/06 to 22% of pupils (73,435) in 2014/15.

Implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Act, together with forthcoming subordinate legislation and a revised statutory Code of Practice, present a number of challenges for the new Assembly. Under the revised approach, the number of SEN assessment stages will reduce from five to three, and it is likely that fewer children will undergo statutory assessment and receive a statement of SEN, with greater emphasis placed instead on in-school support.

Aerial view of the newly constructed A8; officially opened in December 2015 this dualling scheme cost £133m

Is Northern Ireland’s transport infrastructure sufficient to support growth and competitiveness?

by Des.McKibbin
20th May 201631st March 2024

As the Northern Ireland (NI) Executive seeks to grow the local economy during the forthcoming mandate, the quality and capacity of NI’s transport infrastructure will be a major factor. High quality infrastructure is a critical determinant of economic growth and competitiveness, with a 2015 Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey indicating that 94% of businesses view the quality of infrastructure as a decisive factor when planning future investment.

Could responsibility for Assembly elections be devolved?

by Ray.McCaffrey
18th May 201631st March 2024

On 5 May voters went to the polls to elect 108 Members to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Elections in Northern Ireland are an excepted matter, meaning the UK Parliament is responsible for electoral law and policy. The timing of the election is a matter for the UK Parliament. The election is administered by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) with the support of his staff in the Electoral Office and the Electoral Commission will produce a report on the running of the election. This is not to say that the Assembly has not been willing to engage on the issue – the CEO and the Commission gave evidence to the OFMdFM Committee during the last mandate.

But with the Scottish Parliament already exercising more powers in this area and the likelihood of the National Assembly for Wales following suit, is there scope for transferring responsibility for Assembly elections?

Image of a planned urban landscape: Local development planning is now with local councils

Planning in a new environment

by Suzie.Cave
16th May 201631st March 2024

The planning system has undergone much change recently, so what are the new structures and how has the balance of responsibility shifted between central and local government?

Recent changes in the Northern Ireland labour market

by Eoin.Murphy
11th May 201631st March 2024

Northern Ireland (NI) was impacted heavily by the global recession that began in 2008. The recovery since has been slow in the United Kingdom (UK) and even slower in NI. With heavy job losses in industries such as construction, the shape of NI’s labour market has changed, with the services sector now of increased importance. In addition, the balance between the private and public sectors is beginning to shift due to the ongoing Voluntary Exit Schemes (VES) operating across the public sector.

A word cloud depicting key words relating to welfare reform

The challenge of implementing welfare reform in Northern Ireland

by Eleanor.Murphy
11th May 201631st March 2024

The Welfare Reform Bill was undoubtedly one of the most contentious pieces of legislation to come before the Assembly in the last mandate. Where have we got to and what challenges lie ahead?

A cyclist making use of one of Belfast City Centre’s cycle lanes passes one of the Belfast Bikes scheme docking stations

What does the future hold for cycling policy in Northern Ireland?

by Des.McKibbin
5th May 201631st March 2024

Cycling is one of our most popular leisure pursuits but can it move from being a hobby to an everyday transport mode and, importantly, replace car journeys?

Large groups of cyclists racing down country roads and family bike rides around local parks and cycle paths are increasingly common sights in Northern Ireland, particularly since the success of the Grande Partenza ‘Big Start’ of the 97th Giro d’Italia gripped the country in 2014. What is less common, however, is the sight of everyday cyclists using their bike to get to their place of work or education, to visit the shops or go for a coffee with friends.

The figure shows that DAERA, the Department of the Economy, the Department of Finance and the Executive Office all received cuts for 2017-17 from their baseline. The Departments of Communities, Health, and Justice all received increase from their baselines.

Unpicking the Executive’s Budget 2016-17

by Colin.Pidgeon
4th May 201631st March 2024

How were resources allocated to the nine Executive departments, and how much did they get?

On 13^th January 2016 the Minister of Finance and Personnel published the Executive’s single year Budget 2016-17, bearing in mind the new nine-department structure which is now effective following the Assembly’s May 2016 elections. The Budget is to provide the incoming Ministers forming the new Executive with a ‘…stable, balanced platform to determine priorities and funding allocations post May elections for a multi-year Budget from 2017-18 to 2019-20’.

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