Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much funding his Department has provided to An Ciste Infheistiochta Gaeilge since 2000.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Irish Language Investment Fund, An Ciste Infheistíochta Gaeilge, was established by a grant-in-aid of £8 million from the Government in 2010 in connection to the Hillsborough Castle Talks.
On 25 May, the Government announced the provision of an additional £4 million in capital money to the Fund as part of the commitments on Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances that were agreed in New Decade, New Approach.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether a budget has been identified for actions to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Government is steadfastly committed to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in all its dimensions, and to ensuring that the 25th anniversary of that Agreement is marked appropriately.
In reflection of this commitment, I can confirm that budgetary arrangements for Government activity to mark the 25th anniversary have been identified. The Government intends to announce more details of that activity in the coming months.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what reason the Government has provided ring-fenced funding for abortion services in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
The UK Government has a clear statutory duty under section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2019 to ensure that the recommendations in the Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (“the CEDAW Report”), are implemented in Northern Ireland.
The Government’s strong preference has always been for the Northern Ireland Department of Health to take responsibility for providing and funding abortion services.
Regrettably, the Department of Health failed to commission and fund abortion services in line with the framework set out in the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020, despite being under a statutory obligation to do so since July 2021. The UK Government was left with no option but to commission services and ensure that funding is available to enable Health and Social Care Trusts to recruit and train staff to support the development of high-quality and sustainable services.
It remains the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive to fund abortion services in Northern Ireland. The UK Government will continue to ensure funding is made available until the Department of Health takes full responsibility for the provision of that funding.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Northern Ireland Screen on the remit of the Ulster Scots Broadcasting Fund.
Answered by Steve Baker
As part of New Decade, New Approach, the Government committed to discussions with Northern Ireland Screen on expanding the respective remits of the Irish Language and Ulster Scots Broadcast Funds. In the course of these discussions, the Government agreed to provide a one-off boost of £1 million to each fund, to cover an expansion in their remits. This additional funding has been delivered in full, meeting the Government’s New Decade, New Approach commitment in this regard, and was referred to in my answer of 21 November, UIN 85057:
https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2022-11-11/85057
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps the Government is taking to help support the restoration of Craigavon House.
Answered by Steve Baker
Under the UK Government commitments to promote Northern Ireland's Culture, Heritage and Society we committed to explore projects including the restoration of Craigavon House. The government remain committed to support conversations on the future of Craigavon House should a suitable plan be forthcoming on its future and restoration.
Asked by: Carla Lockhart (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much financial support the Government has provided to the International Fund for Ireland in each of the last three years.
Answered by Steve Baker
The Northern Ireland Office and the International Fund for Ireland separately publish Annual Reports and Accounts, including audited financial statements. I would refer the honourable Lady to those resources for the information she requires.