John Campbell
BBC News NI Economics and Business Editor

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland's job market showed significant signs of improvement in May as the economy reopened.

HMRC payroll data is the most timely and best single overall indicator of the labour market.

It showed an estimated 745,900 employees in May, the highest total since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

The number of employees has now been rising for six months but is still 0.7% below the February 2020 level.

Read more on this story here.

Former NI Secretary Julian Smith, who helped negotiate the New Decade, New Approach agreement, has said any cultural package presented at Westminster would have his "full support".

His tweet comes after Sinn Féin told the UK government it should legislate for the Irish language through Westminster to resolve a Stormont split on the issue.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MP Sammy Wilson said the government "must not interfere in devolved issues at the behest of Sinn Féin".

Image source, NI Assembly

“Carers are worn out,” says Paula Bradshaw.

The Alliance MLA outlines the mental health challenges facing carers, and she calls for the reopening of day and respite centres.

“Adequate respite, assistance with their own physical and mental wellbeing and assistance with financial support,” are among the issues where carers need support, adds the South Belfast rep.

Cara Hunter of the SDLP notes that last week was carers' week, an opportunity to recognise the work of all carers.

"Many are children or young people caring for a parent, working parents caring for a sick or or disabled child or elderly parent or an older person caring for a husband or wife," she says.

She says there is a need to urgently "rebuild and reinstate" respite services.

Image source, NI Assembly

Ulster Unionist Alan Chambers says over 200,000 people across NI "currently have some sort of caring role".

He says that without the work of those carers "the formal care system would be totally unsustainable".

Image source, NI Assembly

“I hope this will be a motion in which there will be broad support,” says Colm Gildernew in his opening remarks.

The chair of the Health Committee says during the last 15 months of the pandemic carers have played an important role.

“The role carers play in our health and social care system is invaluable,” says Mr Gildernew, adding that their work “frees up staffing and resourcing”.

“The stress of the last year could lead to far more carers breaking down.”

With Question Time complete, MLAs turn to the next item on today’s agenda.

It’s a motion that has been brought by the Health Committee calling for support for carers.

Colm Gildernew, the chair of the committee, moves the motion and opens the debate.

• Parliament Buildings will reopen to the public on 14 July
• Newly-elected MLAs are to receive induction handbooks, containing key contacts, in the days and weeks following their appointment
• Officials are to work with Dr Éamon Phoenix to deliver a project which showcases assembly artefacts and emblems
• There are three beehives located within the assembly estate which are designed to “educate staff and school groups” about bees and the importance of bio-diversity

Image source, NI Assembly

Sinn Féin's Sinéad Ennis asks about measures taken "to reduce Parliament Buildings' carbon footprint".

Dolores Kelly takes this one.

She outlines some of the actions taken, including the electricity supply, which is "100% renewable".

"There has been an 83% reduction in paper usage," Ms Kelly adds.

There are car charging points at Parliament Buildings and a cycle-to-work scheme.

Image source, NI Assembly

Emma Sheerin of Sinn Féin asks "what progress has been made in ensuring that the artefacts and emblems in and around Parliament Buildings reflect all the people the institution serves".

The SDLP's Dolores Kelly answers on behalf of the Assembly Commission.

She says it has been "difficult to achieve agreement" on the matter.

Ms Kelly says the commission has been unable to find a way forward for a number of reasons, including a lack of suggestions of alternative items.

She says the commission has agreed to set up a project that would see officials work with historian Dr Eamon Phoenix to draw up a narrative of key events and figures connected to Parliament Buildings and which should be represented in the building.

Image source, NI Assembly

Andrew Muir of Alliance asks the commission "to outline the support and induction arrangements in place for new MLAs".

John O'Dowd of Sinn Féin takes this one.

He says the first few weeks a Stormont "can be daunting" for newly-elected members.

Mr O'Dowd says the previous induction programme is to be enlarged for new members in the next mandate following elections.

This will include a programme of activities including an induction handbook with a list of contacts.

Image source, NI Assembly

Time for questions to the Assembly Commission.

The role of the commission is to "ensure that the assembly is provided with the property, staff and services required for the assembly to carry out its work".

Trevor Clarke asks when the commission plans to reopen Parliament Buildings to the public.

The DUP's Keith Buchanan takes this one.

He says the decision to close Parliament Buildings was taken "to ensure the health and safety of our staff, members and other building users".

Mr Buchanan announces that events, tours and public dining can resume on 14 July after public holidays.

Here are five key points raised during Question Time with the infrastructure minister:

• The DVLA driving test booking service reopened on 10 May
• Since reopening and as of 31 May, over 6,700 driving tests were conducted
• There has been "considerable progress" towards issuing the final planning decision on the redevelopment of the GAA's Casement Park stadium
• The minister has allocated £17m to a roads recovery fund, of which £15m is directly aimed at rural roads
• Nichola Mallon says she has had a number of discussions with executive colleagues about the need for an independent infrastructure commissioner

With time called on listed questions, MLAs turn to 15 minutes of topical questions.

This is a time when members can ask ministers about anything of public interest that falls under their remit.

Sinéad McLaughlin of the SDLP asks the minister if the Narrow Water Bridge project will be discussed at the next North-South Ministerial Council meeting.

Has she any concerns that any delay in appointing a first and deputy first minister could hinder such projects?

Image source, NI Assembly

“We really will only overcome our challenges when we work in partnership, north-south, east-west,” responds the infrastructure minister.

“It’s very concerning that we are sitting now not clear whether we will have a north-south ministerial council meeting on Friday,” adds Nichola Mallon.

“I sincerely hope we move back from this point of crisis.”

Sinn Féin’s Pat Sheehan wants “an update on the Casement Park planning application”.

Nichola Mallon responds that since her announcement regarding the approval of planning permission for the site in October, departmental officials have been working to progress the final planning agreement.

There is regular contact between the department and the GAA’s legal teams, says the infrastructure minister.

Image source, NI Assembly

Justin McNulty of the SDLP and former Gaelic football manager asks how much the communities minister has provided in terms of funding for the project.

Ms Mallon says while planning permission is her department’s responsibility, funding falls under Deirdre Hargey’s remit.

Jim Allister of the TUV asks the infrastructure minister “what progress has been achieved in improving inter-U.K. transport links”.

Nichola Mallon responds that Sir Peter Hendy will be publishing a review on this issue “before the end of the summer”.

The SDLP minister adds that she is working with her counterpart in the Republic of Ireland to see how rail can be “improved for everyone”.

In response to the minister, Mr Allister quips “I didn’t hear much progress, I heard a lot of talk about talk but no action”.

Image source, NI Assembly

UUP MLA Mike Nesbitt asks what the minister can do with her executive colleague following the collapse of Stobart Air and impact it will have on connectivity at Belfast City Airport.

Ms Mallon says she will work with executive colleagues to look at support for the aviation sector.

Will the minister’s department begin to record the number of unadopted alleyways in North Belfast, asks Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly.

“This is a huge problem” in the constituency, says the MLA.

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon responds that she is aware of the issue.

“The department doesn’t currently have responsibility for unadopted alleyways,” says the SDLP minister.

Image source, NI Assembly

Paula Bradshaw of Alliance asks the minister about funding for the department to support the rollout of alley-gates.

She references particular issues in the Holylands Area of South Belfast within her constituency.

“Alley-gating schemes come through the councils,” responds the minister, adding that there may also be a role for the Justice Department.

Image source, NI Assembly

Nichola Mallon is in the chamber and ready to face the Question Time spotlight.

Her first question comes from Sinn Féin’s Emma Sheerin.

She wants an update on addressing the driving test backlog.

The infrastructure minister says the system reopened on 10 May and that additional test slots have been made available,in the coming weeks.

Up to 31 May, over 6,700 driving tests, of which 5,500 were category private car driving tests, explains Ms Mallon, adding that this is about 35% above the normal monthly average.

Image source, NI Assembly

Pat Catney, the minister’s SDLP colleague, seeks an update on new tests centres designed to increase capacity.

There are four additional properties which have been identified across NI, says the minister.

She adds that the temporary test centres in Cookstown and Omagh will open for appointments later this month.

DUP MLA Trevor Clarke asks what impact the backlog is having on the taxi industry?

“I have been made aware, over many years” of a decline in the number of taxi drivers, says the minster, adding this has been “compounded by Covid”.

Image source, Reuters

We're back from lunch and rejoining MLAs as they gather in the assembly chamber for Question Time.

It takes place during plenary sessions every Monday and Tuesday between 14:00-15:30 and is an opportunity for members to question ministers about the work of their departments.

There are two slots during each Question Time session.

Thirty minutes is spent on Listed Questions, with a further 15 allocated to Topical Questions.

Today it's the turn of the infrastructure minister and members of the Assembly Commission.

Deputy Speaker Roy Beggs reminds members that the Business Committee is due to meet in order to plan next week’s assembly schedule.

As such, MLAs are advised to take a lunch break and return to the chamber for Question Time at 14:00.

Join us again shortly.

Robin Swann is then called to wind on the debate.

The health minister refers to a number of points raised by members, especially those relating to the vaccine programme.

“The double dose of the vaccine provides the protection for those who have been vaccinated, families and friends,” says Mr Swann.

As for the question of the resumption of music and live music from Gerry Carroll from People Before Profit, the minister explains that those proposals came to the executive last Thursday but are due to be discussed this Thursday.

Image source, NI Assembly

“If there’s not an executive on Thursday to agree those further relaxations they won’t be made at that point,” he adds.

“The regulations, as far as I’m aware stand at that point as they are, even if unamended,” adds Mr Swann.

Over 2,000 people came forward to be tested in Kilkeel for the “first community-targeted testing” which has taken place in NI, says the minister.

The regulations are put to the members and pass on oral vote.