Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any action she is taking to ensure greater urgency, in relation to grid connection timelines for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in the north; and (ii) any consideration she has made of the benefits of introducing target timelines for … Continue reading AQW 54241/22-27 – Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any support available to households seeking to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Minister for Communities: My Department currently supports the Affordable Warmth Scheme (AWS), which provides funding for energy efficiency measures such as loft, cavity wall, and solid wall insulation … Continue reading AQW 53171/22-27 – Support for household energy efficiency measures
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any steps he is taking to support the restoration of (i) habitats; (ii) species; (iii) woodlands; and (iv) peatlands. Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My Department is supporting restoration of habitats, species, woodlands and peatlands through … Continue reading AQW 51243/22-27 – Restoration of habitats, species, woodlands and peatlands
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any steps being taken to ensure farmers are prepared for more frequent periods of extreme heat. Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: I am committed to supporting Northern Ireland’s agriculture sector to adapt to a changing climate … Continue reading AQW 51397/22-27 – Preparing farmers for more frequent periods of extreme heat
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether any assessment has been made of any progress on (i) biodiversity; and (ii) habitat restoration, since February 2024. Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: In January 2026, the Department published the Regulation 3ZA Report (2019-2024), a six yearly … Continue reading AQW 52126/22-27 – Biodiversity and habitat restoration
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps being taken to ensure that food on school menus is locally sourced. Minister of Education: The Education Authority (EA) is operationally responsible for the provision of school meals in controlled and maintained schools. The EA seeks to maximise opportunities for … Continue reading AQW 52512/22-27 – Locally sourced food on school menus
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail the number of waste sites that are categorised by the NI Environment Agency as high risk, broken down by local council. Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) currently regulates approximately 550 … Continue reading AQW 51979/22-27 – Number of High Risk Waste Sites
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any steps his Department is taking to support farmers in diversifying and expanding businesses. Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: My Department is committed to supporting a thriving, resilient and environmentally sustainable agricultural sector and to ensuring … Continue reading AQW 51396/22-27 – Supporting farmers in diversifying and expanding business
