Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education whether any recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of funding pressures on the ability of rural schools to maintain (i) staffing levels; (ii) curriculum provision; and (iii) support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Minister of Education: No specific … Continue reading AQW 52394/22-27 – Funding pressures on rural schools
SDLP MLA for Mid Ulster Patsy McGlone has strongly criticised Translink’s failure to cope with the increase in demand for bus travel to Derry in September. The Mid Ulster MLA has asked the Minister for Infrastructure what assessment of passenger capacity had been made on the Castledawson to Derry route, and what additional provision had … Continue reading McGlone criticises Translink’s failure to cope with the increase in demand for Derry buses
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he is taking to improve primary education provision in rural areas. Minister of Education: I am committed to maintaining access to high-quality education for children living in rural communities. While declining pupil numbers present challenges for some schools, my Department … Continue reading AQW 51838/22-27 – Primary education provision in rural areas
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps his Department is taking to (i) reduce ambulance waiting times; and (ii) increase availability of ambulances, in rural areas. Minister of Health: Reducing ambulance waiting times and improving ambulance availability across Northern Ireland, including in rural areas, remains a key … Continue reading AQW 50587/22-27 – Ambulances in rural areas
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 Communities whether any recent assessment has carried out of the adequacy of access to sports facilities for people living in rural communities. Minister for Communities: In the event of any care agency withdrawing from a home care support package, HSC Trusts undertake a number of … Continue reading AQW 46550/22-27 – Access to sports facilities for rural communities
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any steps her Department is taking to ensure that the adoption of smart meters does not disadvantage domestic energy customers in rural areas that have poor mobile connectivity. Minister for the Economy: Protecting consumers is central to the Smart Meters programme … Continue reading AQW 46434/22-27 – Electricity Smart Meters programme
Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any steps he is taking to support rural sports clubs. Minister for Communities: This issue is an operational matter for Northern Ireland Housing Executive; they have advised me as follows: “The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has been undertaking a review of … Continue reading AQW 46042/22-27 – Rural sports clubs
