SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin is now speaking at the assembly.

"I'm glad we finally have the opportunity to debate a programme for government."

She welcomes the commitments of the PfG, which include "an end to violence against women and girls, the promise to address the childcare crisis, and to the commitment to the expansion in Magee (university)".

She says it's also good to see racial balance addressed in the document.

"Its inclusion in this document marks a positive step in the right direction, and we must ensure it is accompanied by the appropriate action."

She says multiple attempts to address racial imbalance has not worked in recent years and "that can no longer be the case".

She says SDLP is disappointed with the lack of time-bound elements and targets of the document after previously making recommendations to the draft PfG.

Brian Kingston, DUP MLA, asks McLaughlin if she is aware that most of the SDLP's recommendations on targets have been addressed.

She says she acknowledges there are "some targets" that were missing in the draft PfG that are now included "but very few".

DUP MLA Cheryl Brownlee says the Programme for government (PfG) "truly matters".

"A programme for government isn't just about policies, it's about actions and making real change that changes that improves lives," she said.

"It recognises that our system must do better. Not just in words, but in real, tangible improvements for children and young people, their parents, their carers, and teachers.

"If we're serious about delivering real change, we must ensure that the collection and sharing analysis of data sits at the heart of reform."

She says young people cannot be left behind post-school education and asks that routes for young adults are put in place as part of the PfG.

The assembly has returned to discussions around the programme for government after taking a break for minister's questions.

You can watch proceedings by clicking 'watch live' at the top of this page.

Robbie Meredith
BBC News NI Education Correspondent

Providing adequate support to children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is one of the biggest challenges in education.

The past few years have seen problems with things like school places, support, assessments and post-school provision for children and their families.

Many families say they face a battle from the early years to get timely and meaningful help for their children.

The programme for government (PfG) makes that a task for the whole Executive rather than just the departments of education, health and the economy.

It promises a comprehensive "reform agenda and delivery plan" for SEN this year.

There are some proposals in the PfG to identify children's SEN earlier and ensure there are pathways to further education or training when they leave school.

Many will welcome the fact that supporting children with SEN is one of the executive's main priorities.

But any real detail is frustratingly absent from the PfG, presumably to come in the SEN delivery plan at a later date.

Julian O'Neill
BBC News NI Crime and Justice Correspondent

Image source, PA Media

The programme for government appears to support plans by the chief constable to increase police numbers – without making cast iron commitments on finance.

Jon Boutcher has said he is seeking £200m over the next five years to recruit more officers and staff.

Stormont has pledged to “develop a robust business case” which seeks to boost officers from 6,300 to 7,000 by 2028.

Elsewhere, the programme recommits to speeding up justice.

It will explore expanding the use of Community Resolution Notices (CRNs) which would dispose of more cases without the need for court action.

There is also a pledge to secure agreement around continuing the tackling paramilitary programme.

The £16m-a-year initiative, jointly funded by London, currently runs until 2027.

It supports more than 100 grass roots projects, including schemes to divert young people from becoming involved in paramilitary activity.

Deirdre Hargey, Sinn Féin MLA, thanks the first and deputy first ministers for the PfG.

"It represents a commitment of the four party executive to work together with the interests of everyone in our society."

She says the budget restraints have come "due to 15 years of austerity by the British government.

"A fact that has been acknowledged across this chamber."

She mentions "key outcomes" of the PfG that are "good to see" and she is addressing violence against women as a key outcome.

"Ending violence against women and girls and safer communities, feeling safe is an essential part of how we feel in our communities, our places of work and when socialising.

"I'm glad that these important issues are being highlighted," she adds.

Image source, NI Assembly

Ulster Unionist Diana Armstrong raised concerns that the ambition and commitments laid out in the programme for government "are not reflected in the budget".

"And it concerns me that many of these commitments may not be delivered, especially without adequate resources and long-term strategic financing through multi-year budgets."

Nevertheless, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone assembly member said she wanted to add some "positive commentary" about the plan as the UUP's economy spokesperson.

Armstrong said she particularly welcomed "the Apprenticeship Inclusion Challenge Fund; the Skills Fund and the Tourism Strategic Action Plan".

She said more and more women were taking up apprenticeships in industries which were once dominated by men.

"Investment in apprenticeships is an investment in our future," she said, adding the Skills Fund would be a "spearhead to delivered the skills needed to boost the economy" and help women return to the workplace.

Image source, NI Assembly

The DUP's Phillip Brett, chair of the Committee for the Economy, says the last time a programme for government was agreed he was studying A Level politics.

"The committee welcomes the executive commitment to economic improvement for people in Northern Ireland," he says.

It welcomes the "prompt delivery of some supporting measures" including the return of the skill up programme, the new apprenticeship challenge fund, and the 10-year tourism strategy.

"However the committee is still awaiting the skills action plan, the renewable energy support scheme and the circular economy strategy," Brett says.

As DUP economic spokesperson he welcomes the prioritisation of growing NI's economy within the programme for government.

Image source, NI Assembly

Alliance deputy leader Eóin Tennyson says the programme for government is not an "exhaustive list" of everything ministers will deliver over the rest of this assembly's mandate.

"Nor should it be seen as the ceiling on our ambition, but rather the foundation from which we should all seek to build together," he said.

Tennyson said the document sets out a number of "positive proposals" in areas where there is "consensus" among the four parties who make up the mandatory coalition.

But he said the process of reaching agreement was "fraught at times with needless delay" and which also sometimes lacked a "spirit of genuine cooperation and collaboration".

Tennyson said Alliance ministers should not have had to ask for a copy of the final document on the eve of an executive meeting in which it was to be agreed.

He said he hoped lessons had been learned from the episode.

Marie-Louise Connolly
BBC News NI Health Correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

If you are on a hospital waiting list your ears may have pricked up when you heard that the programme for government is to treat an extra 70,000 patients by 2027.

It is a positive headline but dig behind it and it throws up questions - what type of patients and what kind of surgery will be targeted?

If we take an average spend of about £4,000 per patient, and considering knee/hip operations per person cost about £10,000, a hernia operation £3,000, the money will not go too far.

The £135m figure is not new. It was quoted last February when the then Health Minister Robin Swann said funds above £75-80m was required for cancer lists and up to £135m to tackle the waiting lists.

According to the Royal College of Surgeons it will take up to 10 years of sustained investment to tackle the lists which are the longest in the UK and in parts of Europe.

Image source, NI Assembly

Pat Sheehan, Sinn Féin MLA, says the publication of the PfG is a "welcome step".

"We continue to drive forward delivering for people here," he adds.

Sheehan says the PfG is "ambitious" and it "focuses on critical issues", such as affordable housing, childcare costs, tackling waiting lists and special needs education.

Speaking as a member of the education committee and Sinn Féin spokesperson for education, he says: "For too long, too many children have been left behind educational underachievement remains one of the most pressing challenges we face, And tackling it must be a priority."

He says education "has been starved of the vital and necessary investment it has required due to over a decade of British government austerity".

"We have to be absolutely sure we are spending money properly and getting more bang for our buck."

Image source, NI Assembly

Diane Forsythe, DUP MLA and member of the finance committee is speaking on behalf of the committee.

She thanks the ministers but says the committee did not have time to look over the PfG.

"It's important for me to state that as this finalised programme for government was only published on Friday afternoon the finance committee has not had time to consider it. It would have been helpful if time had been provided for committees to consider the PfG before this debate, however we are where we are."

She says the committee were able to scrutinise the draft PfG in October last year and is telling the assembly what officials from the department of finance and the committee made of that.

She says officials have regularly reminded the committee that "current and ongoing budgetary restraints" are an issue for the department.

Image source, NI Assembly

Sinn Féin's Colm Gildernew, chairperson for the Committee for Communities, says his comments do not represent an agreed committee position but reflect the comments, concerns and priorites raised in the committee.

One of the most "pressing concerns" for the committee has been the lack of progress on key strategies including those on anti-poverty, disability and language, he says.

The committment in the programme for government to an anti-poverty strategy is a "welcome step forward", he says, but adds that it must not be a "box-ticking exercise" and must deliver "real and measurable outcomes".

He also welcomes the commitment to new social housing, but adds: "Delivery will remain the key challenge."

Despite the commitment to progressing the redevelopment of Casement Park, Gildernew says the committee remains concerned about the funding and delivery of the project.

As Sinn Fein spokesperson for housing and communities, he welcomes the "many important commitments" in the programme for government, particularly the high priority placed on housing.

Image source, NI Assembly

Robbie Butler, deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), says that while an agreed programme for government is a welcome step, it is also a "source of shame" that it is the first one in more than a decade.

Stormont has not functioned well for much of that time, with Sinn Fein bringing down the executive in 2017 and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) doing the same in 2022.

"And while we may be in a better political position than when this place was empty, the scale of repair and transformation that is required is absolutely enormous," Mr Butler said.

"Those who choose political abstinence in this place must take a long, hard look at the consequences of their actions - not in the abstract, but in the lives of the people who have suffered from years of stagnation in this place."

Image source, NI Assembly

Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan describes the programme for government as "a positive step that demonstrates collective commitment" to deliver better public services for all in Northern Ireland.

As his party's health spokesperson, he welcomes the focus on preventative measures "to keep people well for longer", combined with early detection and timely intervention when required.

McGuigan welcomes the move to cut waiting times and address health inequalities.

However, he says this is "not a silver bullet" and the challenges facing the health service are "great", with a growing demand, coupled with workforce and capacity challenges and an ageing population.

"Despite these difficulties and challenges, we must do all in our power to reduce the unacceptable waiting lists," he says.

He calls for action in the year ahead "to start turning a corner" especially for cancer where urgency is "key to saving lives".

Deborah Erskine, DUP MLA, welcomes the opportunity to contribute today as part of the infrastructure committee.

"The committee heard that although the department does not have a lead on any of the nine priorities in the programme a number of these are particularly relevant of DfI's core functions."

Erskine lists those core functions, "to grow a globally competitive, sustainable economy, provide more social and affordable and sustainable housing protecting Lough Neagh and reform and transformation of public services".

She adds the department will be an "enabler" in achieving the priorities set out in the programme.

She says the committee "considers that the programme for government must be underpinned by robust and measurable milestones and it would be helpful if the first or deputy first minister could set out what they consider the key milestones" and whether these will be achieved within the budget set.

Brendan Hughes
BBC News NI political reporter

It is a document that has been over a year in the making.

It contains 100 pages setting out the key priorities of the Northern Ireland Executive.

And after a last-minute hiccup last week, the public finally gets to see Stormont’s programme for government.

Given the volatile nature of the devolved institutions, getting this far with a four-party coalition could be seen as an achievement in itself.

The last time a programme for government was finalised and endorsed by the Northern Ireland Assembly was in 2012.

But now that the executive has agreed its key pledges, can they be delivered?

While some promises have targets attached, others seem pretty vague.

Claiming success or failure over the next two years could be left open to interpretation.

The executive will nevertheless be keen to make as much progress as possible before the next assembly election is due in 2027.

Image source, NI Assembly

Alliance assembly member Paula Bradshaw says her party recognises that although there are "maybe some underwhelming factors" within the programme for government, it was produced by a "mandatory coalition".

She adds that her party "would have gone further" in certain aspects, including stressing that "peace and peace-building should have been more integral into all aspects of the document".

Bradshaw also said that Alliance would continue to push for the reform of Stormont's political institutions "so that our way of governing here is reflective of our changing society".

She added that her party would have welcomed more focus on the ongoing issues facing victims of the Troubles, "not least with the ill-fated Legacy Act", referring to the Troubles legislation which is to be rescinded.

O'Toole continues by telling the assembly about someone that got in touch with the SDLP on social media to say they had been "red-flagged for referral to a consultant gynaecologist a year ago".

"When she phoned recently to ask how long the waiting list was she was told that it could be years.

"She and the other hundreds of thousands on waiting lists aren't obsessed with the mechanics of politics they do deserve a clear sense of how people who achieved and sought power intend to use that power.

"This programme is better than nothing, it's a modest improvement but it's a missed opportunity."

He asks: "Is this it?"

The final programme for government document runs to 100 pages and focuses on the following priorities:

• Grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy
• Deliver more affordable childcare
• Cut health waiting lists
• Ending violence against women and girls
• Better support for children and young people with special educational needs
• Provide more social, affordable and sustainable housing
• Safer communities
• Protect Lough Neagh and the environment
• Reform and transformation of public services