Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any recent discussions her Department has had on the progress of the Northern Ireland Defence Growth Deal. Minister for the Economy: My officials have been in regular contact with British Government officials and local stakeholders to ensure the north has access … Continue reading AQW 52511 22-27 – NI Defence Growth Deal
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment that has been made of establishing a regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers to protect heating oil consumers from market volatility and price rises. Minister for the Economy: I am concerned about the impact of rising home heating oil … Continue reading AQW 51841/22-27 – Regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps her Department is taking to improve the growth and productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises, in Mid Ulster. Minister for the Economy: My department and Invest NI are firmly committed to supporting regional balance of economic activity across all … Continue reading AQW 51714-22-27 – Small and medium-sized enterprises in Mid Ulster
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, to detail any steps her Department is taking to improve (i) broadband coverage; and (ii) mobile phone signal, in rural areas. Minister for the Economy: (i) My department is continuing to improve broadband coverage in rural areas through Project Gigabit. In December 2025, … Continue reading AQW 51086/22-27 – Rural Broadband and Mobile Coverage
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy, to detail any steps her Department is taking to ensure that small businesses can access practical support to adopt Artificial Intelligence, safely and productively. Minister for the Economy: My Department provides a range of practical support and guidance to small businesses on the … Continue reading AQW 50818/22-27 – Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the level of Research and Development funding allocated by her department in each of the last five years, broken down by constituency. Minister for the Economy: The table at Annex A details the level of Research and Development (R&D) funding allocated … Continue reading AQW 49117/22-27 – Research and Development funding
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any training that has been provided to staff in her Department on the use of Artificial Intelligence, including its limitations and risks, since February 2024. Minister for the Economy: Since July 2025, all staff in my Department have had access to … Continue reading AQW 49242/22-27 – Department for the Economy staff training on the use of Artificial Intelligence
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps she is taking to support the level of footfall on high streets, in the Mid Ulster constituency. Minister for the Economy: My Department works collaboratively across government and with local partners including councils to support economic development and regeneration … Continue reading AQW 49120/22-27 – Level of footfall on high streets in Mid Ulster
