Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the Chief Constable of PSNI on the border after the UK leaves the EU.
Answered by Karen Bradley
I meet regularly with the Chief Constable to discuss security issues, including aspects of EU Exit. Across Government we are working closely with operational partners on contingency planning so we can ensure the safety and security of our citizens in all scenarios.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps are required to ensure that Northern Ireland is prepared for the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by Karen Bradley
We want and expect to leave the EU with a negotiated agreement. As a responsible Government, at the same time we have accelerated no-deal preparations to ensure that all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland, are as prepared as possible in the event of a no-deal exit.
The Northern Ireland Office and other Government Departments have been working intensively alongside the Northern Ireland Civil Service to prepare for the potential impacts of a no-deal exit for Northern Ireland.
We have been clear that the unique social, political and economic circumstances of Northern Ireland must be reflected in any arrangements that would apply.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many additional staff work in the Northern Ireland Office since 23 June 2016.
Answered by John Penrose
The number of additional staff in the Northern Ireland Office since 23 June 2016 is 52.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps she will take to help people in financial hardship due to the Renewal Heat Incentive Scheme.
Answered by John Penrose
The Department for the Economy (DfE) has committed to set up a unit within the department, under independent chairmanship. This will be responsible for examining the case of every individual who has received funds from the RHI initiative and believes that they have experienced hardship.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee (NIAC) will also be conducting a review of the revised tariffs. That inquiry will, among other things, examine how the revised tariffs will affect the businesses they apply to. We will look carefully at the recommendations that the Committee makes.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions her Department has had with officials in the Department for Work and Pensions on the extension of mitigation payments on welfare reform in Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
Following the Fresh Start Agreement, funding was made available by the Executive to mitigate the impact of welfare reform in Northern Ireland. This funding ends in March 2020.
The Department for Communities in Northern Ireland is responsible for the delivery of the various mitigation schemes relating to welfare reform in Northern Ireland.
A decision to extend mitigations beyond March 2020 would be a matter for the Northern Ireland Civil Service and not the Department for Work and Pensions.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Tourist Board in Northern Ireland on promoting the benefits of Northern Ireland to foreign investors.
Answered by John Penrose
The Northern Ireland Office works closely with Tourism NI and the rest of Northern Ireland government departments to ensure that the work to highlight Northern Ireland as a great place to invest provides them with the support that they want. I am a former Tourism Minister myself, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly promotes inward investment to Northern Ireland, such as on her visit to the United States in September of last year.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Irish Foreign Secretary on the potential effects on Northern Ireland of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
Answered by John Penrose
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has regular meetings with the Tánaiste on a number of issues relating to Northern Ireland, in accordance with the well-established three stranded approach.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether her Department has had any meetings with the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly meets representatives from across all Northern Ireland business sectors.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions she has had with the National Crime Agency on its work in Northern Ireland.
Answered by John Penrose
Ministerial responsibility for the National Crime Agency sits with the Home Office. In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Policing Board has a statutory duty to monitor the exercise of the functions of the NCA in Northern Ireland and has a Memorandum of Understanding with the NCA to support this. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland receives regular reports from the Director General of the NCA which outlines their performance and activity in Northern Ireland. I am pleased the NCA collaborates closely with law enforcement partners in Northern Ireland to tackle serious and organised crime.
Asked by: David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party - Upper Bann)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions she has had with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on its financial situation.
Answered by Karen Bradley
Policing is a devolved matter and the PSNI’s main budget is allocated by the Department of Justice from the Northern Ireland block grant, through the Policing Board. Operational policing matters are a matter for the Chief Constable, with whom I maintain regular contact.
The UK Government has provided the Police Service of Northern Ireland with additional security funding in order that they can tackle the SEVERE and enduring threat from Northern Ireland related terrorism.
The PSNI has submitted a case for additional Brexit-related resources to Treasury. That bid is currently under consideration.
This Government remains unstinting in its admiration and support for the brave men and women of the PSNI and their efforts to keep people in Northern Ireland safe and secure.