https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/ An independent tracker of the questions asked by Claire Sugden, Independent MLA for East Londonderry, in the Northern Ireland Assembly – with answers, search, filters and downloads. en-gb Sat, 24 Oct 2026 19:00:07 GMT https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505463/ 505463-tabled Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any assessment that has been undertaken by his Department of the accessibility of adult autism assessment and post-diagnostic support services for residents of East Londonderry, including the availability of face-to-face appointments and support in rural communities. Awaiting answer; due by 9 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505462/ 505462-tabled Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the number of adults diagnosed with autism in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in each of the last three financial years; and (ii) the number of those individuals who subsequently accessed post-diagnostic autism support services. Awaiting answer; due by 9 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505461/ 505461-tabled Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any support available to adults awaiting an autism assessment in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, including access to mental health services and autism-specific advice without a formal diagnosis. Awaiting answer; due by 9 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505460/ 505460-tabled Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the funding allocated to reducing adult autism assessment waiting times in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust in the (a) 2025-26 financial year; and (b) 2026-27 financial year; and (ii) the impact of this funding on the number of adult autism assessments completed. Awaiting answer; due by 9 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505459/ 505459-tabled Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of adults awaiting an autism assessment in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, broken down by those waiting (i) less than one year; (ii) one to three years; (iii) three to five years; and (iv) more than five years. Awaiting answer; due by 9 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505311/ 505311-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any assessment his Department has undertaken of the extent of long-term vacant commercial properties in (i) Coleraine; (ii) Limavady; and (iii) Portrush town centres. Awaiting answer; due by 6 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505310/ 505310-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on any plans to extend the Vacant to Vibrant scheme across Northern Ireland, including any anticipated timeframe for its introduction in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. Awaiting answer; due by 6 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505309/ 505309-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) the amount of funding allocated to town centre regeneration projects in (a) Coleraine; and (b) Limavady, in each of the last five financial years; and (ii) the amount of the funding that has supported the refurbishment or reuse of vacant commercial premises. Awaiting answer; due by 6 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505308/ 505308-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Communities To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any plans his Department has to work with Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to identify and prioritise long-term vacant commercial properties for regeneration in (i) Coleraine; and (ii) Limavady town centres. Awaiting answer; due by 6 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505307/ 505307-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Finance To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any assessment his Department has undertaken of the potential impact of any proposed changes to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating on (i) long-term vacant commercial properties; (ii) properties requiring substantial refurbishment; and (iii) town centre regeneration. Awaiting answer; due by 6 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505265/ 505265-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to outline the anticipated timeframe for a decision on the future provision of emergency general surgery at Causeway Hospital. Awaiting answer; due by 10 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505231/ 505231-tabled Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline any consideration given to extending the Communities in Transition programme to areas of East Londonderry affected by paramilitary activity and community intimidation. Awaiting answer; due by 9 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505119/ 505119-tabled Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Justice To ask the Minister of Justice to detail any preparations undertaken for the establishment of the Office of the Public Guardian, under the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, including (i) staffing and resource planning; (ii) arrangements for registering Lasting Powers of Attorney; and (iii) outstanding requirements for the office to become operational. Awaiting answer; due by 5 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505118/ 505118-tabled Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the estimated cost of implementing the Lasting Power of Attorney provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016; (ii) the funding allocated for this purpose in 2026-27; and (iii) any outstanding resource requirements. Awaiting answer; due by 5 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505117/ 505117-tabled Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any consideration his Department has given to commencing the Lasting Power of Attorney provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 separately from other outstanding provisions of the Act. Awaiting answer; due by 5 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505116/ 505116-tabled Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) whether a joint implementation plan for the outstanding provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 has been completed; (ii) the anticipated timetable for completion; and (iii) how the implementation of Lasting Powers of Attorney is being prioritised. Awaiting answer; due by 5 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/505115/ 505115-tabled Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any progress made since January 2026 towards implementing the Lasting Power of Attorney provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, including (i) work completed; (ii) outstanding requirements; and (iii) the anticipated timetable for commencement. Awaiting answer; due by 5 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504920/ 504920-tabled Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health, within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust's gynaecology service, to detail (i) the number of funded consultant gynaecology posts; (ii) the number of posts currently filled; and (iii) the number of consultant vacancies, including the length of time each vacancy has remained unfilled. Awaiting answer; due by 4 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504919/ 504919-tabled Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any arrangements in place across each Health and Social Care Trust to ensure that patients awaiting gynaecology appointments are (i) clinically reassessed where their symptoms deteriorate while on a waiting list; (ii) reprioritised where clinically necessary; and (iii) provided with information on how to report changes in their condition and seek an earlier review where appropriate. Awaiting answer; due by 4 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504918/ 504918-tabled Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any consideration given to implementing the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ recommendations that patients awaiting gynaecology care should receive (i) regular communication; (ii) support to manage their symptoms; and (iii) prioritisation which takes account of the impact of their condition on their quality of life. Awaiting answer; due by 4 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504917/ 504917-tabled Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any consideration his Department has taken of developing advanced nurse practitioner roles within gynaecology services to undertake (i) transvaginal ultrasound; (ii) diagnostic hysteroscopy; and (iii) endometrial biopsy. Awaiting answer; due by 4 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504916/ 504916-tabled Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any consideration given to adopting the Health Service Executive’s one-stop ambulatory gynaecology model, under which patients can receive (i) consultation; (ii) diagnostic investigation; and (iii) treatment during a single appointment. Awaiting answer; due by 4 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504785/ 504785-tabled Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) how feedback from practising teachers will inform the final history curriculum; (ii) any assessment that has been undertaken of the impact on teacher workload; and (iii) any training and resources that will be provided to support implementation. Awaiting answer; due by 3 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504784/ 504784-tabled Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail any ways in which the proposed revised history curriculum will develop pupils' ability to (i) critically evaluate historical evidence; (ii) understand differing historical perspectives; and (iii) analyse the causes and consequences of historical events. Awaiting answer; due by 3 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504783/ 504783-tabled Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) how the causes of the Troubles will be taught under the proposed revised history curriculum; (ii) how the development and consequences of the conflict will be covered; and (iii) how this compares with the existing curriculum. Awaiting answer; due by 3 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504782/ 504782-tabled Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) any evidence supporting the proposed chronological approach to teaching history; (ii) any consideration given to pupils' age and developmental stages; and (iii) how any differences in historical knowledge between primary and post-primary pupils will be addressed. Awaiting answer; due by 3 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504781/ 504781-tabled Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of practising history teachers involved in developing the proposed revised history curriculum; (ii) any role they have in drafting the proposals; and (iii) any changes made to the recommendations of the subject advisory group prior to consultation. Awaiting answer; due by 3 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504634/ 504634-tabled Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the number of children diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, in each of the last five years, who required respiratory support or feeding assistance at the time of diagnosis; and (ii) any assessment his Department has made of the extent to which earlier diagnosis and treatment could reduce the need for such interventions. Awaiting answer; due by 2 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504633/ 504633-tabled Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail any interim measures his Department is considering to improve the early identification and diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy in babies, pending any decision on the introduction of routine newborn screening for the condition. Awaiting answer; due by 2 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504632/ 504632-tabled Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any arrangements that are currently in place to ensure that babies diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy can access specialist treatment at the earliest possible opportunity; and (ii) whether any assessment has been made of whether these arrangements would be sufficient to support the introduction of routine newborn screening for the condition. Awaiting answer; due by 2 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504631/ 504631-tabled Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the number of children that have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, in each of the last five years, including their average age at diagnosis; and (ii) any assessment his Department has made of the potential clinical benefits and long-term financial savings associated with earlier diagnosis and treatment through newborn screening. Awaiting answer; due by 2 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504630/ 504630-tabled Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Health To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any consideration his Department has given to introducing newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy, including participation in the screening evaluations underway in England and Scotland; (ii) any discussions that have taken place with the UK National Screening Committee and counterparts elsewhere in the UK; and (iii) any barriers, costs and timescales identified in relation to implementation. Awaiting answer; due by 2 November 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504486/ 504486-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) any bus routes, serving East Londonderry, that are being considered for reduced (a) frequency; and (b) withdrawal; (ii) any criteria used to identify these routes; and (iii) any assessment undertaken of the impact on passengers. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504485/ 504485-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any assessment undertaken of the impact of Translink's proposed service reductions on rural communities in East Londonderry, particularly those with limited alternative public transport provision. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504484/ 504484-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any assessment undertaken of the adequacy of public transport connections between rural communities in East Londonderry to (i) hospitals; (ii) further education facilities; and (iii) major employment centres. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504483/ 504483-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail any assessment undertaken of the demand for additional evening and weekend bus services in (i) Limavady; (ii) Coleraine; (iii) Kilrea; and (iv) Garvagh. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504482/ 504482-tabled Thu, 15 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department for Infrastructure To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) any plans to improve bus services in rural communities across East Londonderry; and (ii) any routes that have been identified for improvement, including any anticipated timescales for implementation. Awaiting answer; due by 30 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504273/ 504273-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any consideration that has been given to the impact of high numbers of second homes and seasonal residents on community emergency preparedness, particularly in coastal and rural communities. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504272/ 504272-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how their Department works with (i) local councils; and (ii) community organisations, to support residents in preparing for emergencies, including any arrangements to identify and assist vulnerable people during severe weather or disruption to essential services. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504271/ 504271-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any measures in place to ensure that any household emergency preparedness guidance, including advice on emergency supplies and accessing assistance, is communicated to people who do not use digital services and those who may require additional support. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504270/ 504270-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail whether their Department has reviewed public guidance issued by (i) the Irish Government; (ii) other European governments, including any actions arising from such a review on household emergency preparedness. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504269/ 504269-tabled Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any steps taken to inform households in Northern Ireland of how to prepare for emergencies, including (i) severe weather; (ii) power outages; and (iii) disruption to essential services. Awaiting answer; due by 29 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504075/ 504075-tabled Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessment his Department has undertaken of the impact of childhood bereavement on (i) school attendance; (ii) educational attainment; and (iii) pupil wellbeing, including how this evidence informs the support provided in schools, over the last three years. Awaiting answer; due by 28 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504074/ 504074-tabled Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail any training and professional development available to teachers and school staff on (i) recognising the impact of childhood bereavement; (ii) supporting bereaved pupils; and (iii) identifying pupils who require specialist support. Awaiting answer; due by 28 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504073/ 504073-tabled Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) whether his Department collects information on the number of schools with a formal bereavement policy; and (ii) any guidance that is provided to schools on adopting a whole-school approach to supporting bereaved pupils. Awaiting answer; due by 28 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504072/ 504072-tabled Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) any recommendations from the November 2024 Bereavement Support in Schools Report that have been implemented; (ii) any which remain outstanding; and (iii) the reasons for any recommendations his Department does not intend to implement. Awaiting answer; due by 28 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/504071/ 504071-tabled Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT Department of Education To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) how grief and bereavement education is addressed within the proposed revised curriculum; and (ii) whether his Department intends to explicitly include grief and bereavement education within the final curriculum framework. Awaiting answer; due by 28 October 2026. https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/502195/ 502195-answered Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail how receipt of a War Pension in respect of the same injury is taken into account when calculating an award under the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme, including the basis on which any deduction or adjustment is calculated. Answer (13 October 2026): Similar to the assessment process undertaken by Capita, the Ministry of Defence assigns a percentage level of disablement to each injury or disablement for which a War Pension is awarded. The overall War Pension award is apportioned according to the percentage disablement attributed to each injury or disablement, enabling a value to be assigned to the relevant disablement. Under the Victims’ Payments Scheme, any War Pension payment that relates to the same permanent disablement for which a victims' payment is awarded, is taken into account when calculating entitlement, and deductions are… https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/502194/ 502194-answered Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the number of applications to the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme that have remained unresolved for (i) more than one year; (ii) more than two years; (iii) more than three years; and (iv) more than four years, including the principal reasons for applications remaining unresolved for these periods. Answer (13 October 2026): Due to the varied and complex nature of applications under the Victims’ Payments Scheme, average timeframes do not provide a meaningful measure of overall Scheme performance. Consequently, this is not a key performance indicator that is monitored or recorded. Applications progress through the various stages of the Scheme at different rates. Each application is unique and the processing time can vary greatly. The progress of each application is dependent on the provision of supporting information from external organisations – something outside of the control of the Victims’ Payments Board.… https://askedbyclaire.nidata.fyi/questions/502193/ 502193-answered Tue, 13 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT The Executive Office To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any safeguards that are in place to minimise the need for applicants with psychological injuries to repeatedly recount traumatic experiences during the assessment and determination of applications to the Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme. Answer (13 October 2026): The Victims’ Payments Board (VPB) and Capita have robust safeguarding measures in place and there is mandatory trauma-informed training that is delivered to all staff and Board members who have contact with applicants. The Scheme recognises the difficulty applicants may face in recounting injuries and incidents. Where possible, Capita will conduct paper-based assessments, with the Clinical Assessor obtaining supporting evidence from relevant medical providers as necessary. Where the evidence does not clearly establish a link and an independent psychological assessment is needed, the…