Weekly Bulletin. What you need to know.

Health Minister issues Ministerial Direction on health staff pay awards
On Thursday (29 May), Health Minister Mike Nesbitt issued a Ministerial Direction to the Department of Finance to release funding for health and social care staff pay awards which were announced last week. In a written statement, Minister Nesbitt said the decision was not “taken lightly” and was taken due to “current significant shortfall in the Health budget”. The Minister stated that including the projected £200 million cost of the pay increases, the Health budget shortfall is now expected to be £600 million. The Minister pushed back against criticism, saying members of the Assembly “cannot have it both ways – telling me to make savings while also demanding on a daily basis that I increase spending in many different areas”. Speaking to BBC NI, Permanent Secretary for the Department of Health, Mike Farrar, said that a “total reset” of Northern Ireland’s healthcare system “is needed to avoid a year-on-year funding deficit of hundreds of millions of pounds”.
What Next:  Minister Nesbitt emphasised that he wants to achieve a “breakeven budget”, but warned it will require “an extremely difficult and indeed painful series of savings measures for HSC Trusts”.

Economy Minister launches Green Skills Action Plan
On Thursday (29 May), Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald launched the Green Skills Action Plan. The Action Plan provides a framework for Government, employers, and educationalists on what is needed to deliver the skills and the jobs for the future. It focuses on three sectors: large-scale energy production; infrastructure; and domestic low carbon technologies and energy efficiency. It includes 28 actions, which have been divided into four priority action areas: the Skills Eco System; a partnership approach to changing needs; promoting awareness of green jobs and skills; and developing a skilled workforce. Other points of the Action Plan include the role of educational institutions, addressing recruitment and retention in the green sector and the reskilling and transition of the workforce.
What Next: Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of the NI Chamber, said NI Chamber welcomed the Action Plan and noted that “aligning Northern Ireland’s skills pipeline with net zero targets is crucial if the region is to capitalise on the economic potential of green growth”. Read the full Action Plan here.

Sinn Féin support drops in latest opinion poll
Sinn Féin has seen a drop in support in the latest LucidTalk poll, falling two points since February to 26%. According to the Belfast Telegraph, this marks its lowest Assembly poll rating in three years. However, it still retains an eight-point lead on the DUP, which is down one point to 18%. The Alliance Party also dropped one point to 13%, while both the TUV and UUP gained one point and now sit at 12% each. The SDLP remains unchanged at 11%. Parties without representation in the Assembly, the Green Party and Aontú, were both up one point to 3% and 2% respectively. This was the highest-ever level of support for the TUV in a LucidTalk poll, which the party attributed to “common sense and straight talking” as well as the “breakthrough victory” of Jim Allister in the general election and the “agenda-setting performance” of his replacement in the Assembly, Timothy Gaston. The health service emerged as the most important issue to voters (71%) followed by the cost of living (49%), the economy/jobs (43%) and education (32%). Irish unity ranked as the fourth highest priority among nationalist voters (32%), while preserving the Union ranked as the third highest priority among unionist voters (46%).
What Next: 52% of respondents said they believe that opinion polls should be used to determine if a referendum on Irish unity should be called. The next most popular option, at 26%, was calling a poll if a consensus of civic society, for example businesses, trade unions and churches, supported holding a referendum.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill “Starting next week, if you’ve been on a health waiting list for two years or more, you’ll be able to apply for some procedures carried out in the south, with the cost reimbursed. This is one of several steps the Executive is taking as part of a £215 million investment to reduce waiting times and help people get the care they need without further delay. We’re committed to doing what we can to support people to receive the care they need”.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelley MLA: “I believe Northern Ireland CAN be that leader in AI – that’s why we have created the new AI unit in the Executive Office and commenced this work under our new Chief Technology Adviser to urgently inform potential, way forward and work programme for a genuine systems transformation!”

Sorcha Eastwood MP (Alliance, Lagan Valley): “Delighted to be hosting @UlsterGAA at Westminster in a historic first! Gaelic games are thriving right across these islands and play a vital role in bringing people together, enriching and strengthening communities through sport, music, dance & cultural expression. Ulster GAA and the work they do are key in encouraging that spirit of a shared society. We share their immense disappointment that Casement Park wasn’t built in time for the Euros- yet another opportunity for NI missed- but we haven’t given up and will push on until Casement is built! #GetItDone”.

Robin Swann MP (UUP, South Antrim): “The Government’s recently proposed reforms to welfare is a case of cost cutting by chipping away at the support required by some of the most vulnerable – this is evident in the planned changes to PIP. @Mencap_NI @BraveheartsNI” [article here].

Dáire Hughes MP (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh: “The Good Friday Agreement Committee is a vital forum and it’s essential that northern voices are heard. My opening remarks from the first sitting of this committee in Leinster House.
The Good Friday Agreement remains the basis for relations on this island and between this island and Britain. We must work collectively towards its full implementation, including planning for constitutional change. I look forward to continuing to work with Sinn Féin’s strong all-Ireland team on this committee and to being a voice for citizens in the north in Leinster House.

CIH Northern Ireland raises concern over £100m ‘cut’ to budget for new social homes
The Chartered Institute of Housing NI has raised concerns that the Department of Communities’ budget for new social housing appears to be £100m less than was indicated at the start of the year. In January, then-Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald stated that £100m would be allocated to the Department “in addition” to the department’s general capital allocation of £270m. However, the DfC’s equality impact assessment of April’s budget published earlier this month states that the £100m pot falls “within” the department’s total budget. Justin Cartwright, national director at CIH Northern Ireland, said: “This deeply concerning reduction means that instead of starting around 1,600 new social homes this financial year, we are now likely to start around 1,000, against an identified need of more than 2,000. Such cuts will severely impact the most vulnerable in our society and exacerbate the housing crisis.”

Annual Tourism Statistics show significant decrease in overnight visitors
On Thursday (29 May) the Department for the Economy published the annual tourism statistics for Northern Ireland in 2024. The figures estimate that there were 4.7 million overnight trips to NI in 2024, generating £1.1 billion of expenditure. This represented a 13% drop in visitors and a 10% drop in expenditure compared to 2023. However, overnight trips from visitors outside UK and ROI increased by 12%. The number of trips for ‘visiting friends and relatives’ decreased by 16%, while visitors from outside UK and ROI reported an increase of 25% in overnight trips to NI for holiday purposes. Therefore, the report states “some tourism industry providers may not have experienced the impact of the overall decline in overnight trips”.

New data on Childcare Subsidy Scheme shows estimated savings of £8 million for parents
On Tuesday (27 May), the Department for Education published administrative data from the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) for the period 1 September 2024 to 31 March 2025. The data shows that 16,230 children are registered in the scheme. During this period, the NICSS and Tax Free Childcare (TFC) reduced average childcare costs from £562 per child before subsidies to £383 per child after subsidies. 96.1% of claims were within the subsidy cap of £167 per month and where paid in full. In a statement, Minister for Education Paul Givan said the scheme “has saved parents approximately £8 million on childcare costs” and is “providing pivotal support to thousands of working families across Northern Ireland”.

Late night transport a “necessity” for sustaining night time economy
The Belfast city “night czar” and former Belfast Chamber president Michael Stewart has written an open letter to the First and Deputy First Minister, warning that reliable late-night transport is essential to sustain and grow the city’s after-dark economy. He has urged the leaders to support the extension of bus and rail services. Mr Stewart said he has engaged extensively with “businesses, hospitality venues, workers, and the public” over the past year, all of whom have called for improved services. At present, Belfast is the only UK capital city without late night transport. A Translink spokesperson highlighted that late night transport over the Christmas period was a “huge success”, adding that “sustainable funding” would allow for the provider to “offer late night services all year round”.

New gambling information and support service launches in NI
On Wednesday (27 May), Chapter One officially launched as a provider of information and support for everyone affected by gambling in Northern Ireland, with an event at Parliament Buildings. Chapter One was developed by Gambling with Lives, a charity founded by families bereaved by gambling suicide, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and now operates across the UK. Declan Cregan, a training officer at Chapter One with lived experience of gambling harms, told the Irish News that NI has been “left behind” and that “most people are left without adequate advice, support or treatment”. It comes as new figures show that NI has the highest rate of problem gambling in the UK (3%). According to the Belfast Telegraph, Chair of the APG on Reducing Harm Related to Gambling Philip McGuigan MLA said the figures “are deeply concerning and underscore the serious social and public health implications of gambling addiction”. He added that “only a fraction of those experiencing harm are accessing support services”, and that Chapter One “will provide people here with the information and support they deserve”

Two Government-supporting Independent TDs back Sinn Féin motion on Israeli war bonds
Independent TDs Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, who support the Government, have voted against the Coalition in favour of a Sinn Féin Bill which sought to prevent the Irish Central Bank from approving the prospectus which allows Israel to sell bonds in the European Union. According to the Irish Times, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the legislation was unworkable and inconsistent with EU law, a claim which Leader of Opposition Mary Lou McDonald TD described as “bogus”. The Bill was defeated by a margin of 87 votes to 75. After the vote, members of the Opposition held up placards in the Dáil chamber that said “stop financing genocide” and “ban Israeli bonds”. Mr Heneghan said the vote was a “matter of conscience”, while Ms Toole there had been “no detailed briefing” from Government about the impact on EU legislation. However, both TDs reiterated that they would continue to support the Government. It comes as the Irish Government stepped up its rhetoric against Israel this week, with both Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris describing the Israeli Government’s actions as a genocide for the first time.

Housing Minister says 2025 housing target unlikely to be met
Minister for Housing James Browne has acknowledged the Government is unlikely to meet its target of building 41,000 homes this year. It comes after researchers from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) told the Oireachtas Housing Committee they project just 34,000 new units in 2025 and 37,000 new units in 2026, with a warning that “most of the risks weigh on the downside”. On RTÉ’s Prime Time, Minister Browne said he ”wouldn’t be surprised if that is the figure”. He said “over the next six or eight weeks, some very significant announcements will be made”. He also said he expects legislation to extend planning permissions stalled by judicial review to pass “by the summer break and certainly no later than September”.

We tell pollsters health is a priority but nobody votes Sinn Fein or DUP because they are going to reduce our waiting lists – Malachi O’Doherty
In Tuesday’s (27 May) Belfast Telegraph, Malachi O’Doherty reflects on the fact that healthcare was the top priority issue for nationalist, unionist, and other voters in this week’s LucidTalk poll. “Logically therefore, you’d think, if a political party emerged which made that its number one objective, that party would win a massive majority” he observes. O’Doherty notes however, that despite every party saying that it wants to fix the health service, “when it comes to allocating ministerial seats in the Executive, health is the parcel that everyone wants to pass”. He questions why people still vote “on traditional lines, for parties that prioritise the constitution” when people across the board rank health as their top concern. Perhaps O’Doherty considers, some unionists believe preserving the Union means preserving the NHS. Similarly seeking to explain why a third of the nationalist population say that the unification of Ireland is more important to them than healthcare or the economy, he observes that some would likely respond that unification would solve the problems with healthcare and the economy. O’Doherty concludes however that the poll demonstrates that “the concerns of the people do not map onto the spread of the political parties they vote for”. He attributes this to the current “system of rivalrous power-sharing around nationalist and unionist identity concerns”, concluding by suggesting that “simple majority rule would serve us better”.

Monday 2 June 
Stewart Dickson (Alliance, East Antrim) will present a public petition on making Pancreatic Cancer Detection a Health Priority. The Ministers for Infrastructure and Justice will answer questions in the chamber. The SDLP have tabled three motions on Improving Safety at School Bus Stops; A European Future for Northern Ireland; and The Cost of Doing Business. View the Order Paper here.

Tuesday 3 June 
The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affiars will answer questions in the chamber – View the Order Paper here.
The Assembly Concurrent Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and for Infrastructure and the Committee for Education will meet – View committee agendas here.

Wednesday 4 June
The Assembly Committees for Infrastructure, Education, Finance and The Executive Office will meet. The Economy Committee will visit South West Regional College and Balcas – View committee agendas here

Thursday 5 June
The Assembly Committees for Argiculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Health, and Justice will meet. The Committee for Communities will visit the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum – View committee agendas here.

Friday 13 – Saturday 14 June
Scottish Conservatives Party Conference – Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Friday 27 – Sunday 29 June
Welsh Labour Party Conference – Venue Cymry, Llandudno

Monday 30 June
Windsor Framework Independent Monitoring Panel to submit its report to the NI Secretary – Read more here.

June 2025 – date tbd
British Irish Council hosted by the NI Executive.

Tuesday 1 July – Thursday 2 July
ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference, Waterfront Hall, Belfast – Read more here.

Saturday 5 July
NI Assembly summer recess begins

Tuesday 22 July
UK Parliament summer recess

Sunday 31 August
NI Assembly returns from summer recess

Friday 5 September
NI Chamber Festival of Business – St. George’s Market, Belfast – Read more here.

Friday 19 September
Centre for Cross Border Cooperation Annual Conference – Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk – Read more here.

Friday 19 – Saturday 20 September
DUP Party Conference – La Mon Hotel, Belfast

Saturday 20 – Tuesday 23 September
Liberal Democrats Party Conference – Bournemouth International Centre

Sunday 28 September – Wednesday 1 October
Labour Party Conference – ACC Liverpool

Friday 3 October – Saturday 4 October
SDLP Conference – Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Friday 3 – Sunday 5 October
Green Party of England and Wales Conference – Bournemouth International Centre

Sunday 5 October – Wednesday 8 October
Conservative Party Conference – Manchester Central Convention Complex