Inspire Public Affairs Review

Inspire’s public affairs update is your source for the latest Northern Ireland Assembly discussions relevant to mental health, addiction, intellectual disability and autism. 

Our aim is to inform the public, our colleagues and the people who use Inspire services about pertinent issues in the political space, issues that should always be informed by the voice of lived experience. 

Here’s a snapshot of the key Northern Ireland Assembly debates, decisions and developments from the first few weeks of 2026. 

Week commencing 9th February

On 9th February, the Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt, answered an oral question from Gareth Wilson MLA about the impact of alcohol consumption on health services in Northern Ireland.

• According to the Minister, “research has shown that the full societal cost to the Northern Ireland economy could be as high as £900 million a year, with up to £250 million of that borne by Health. Alcohol harm touches every part of society, from rising hospital admissions and deaths to pressures on families, communities and the health service.”
• He said that Northern Ireland is facing a worsening crisis of alcohol-related harm. Since 2013, alcohol‑specific deaths have risen by 65·5%, increasing from 206 to 341 annually. Each year, almost 12,000 people are admitted to acute hospitals with alcohol‑related diagnoses and one in six A&E attendances involve alcohol, rising to eight out of 10 at peak times.
• Alcohol-related harm, he said, is strongly linked to inequality. Between 2019 and 2023, alcohol‑specific deaths in the most deprived areas were almost four times higher than in the least deprived. The Minister argued that “minimum unit pricing [MUP] of alcohol could be a key mechanism” to reduce harm and inequality but he pointed out that such measures have yet to receive Northern Ireland Executive approval.
• Gareth Wilson MLA Pointed out that that 100,000 crimes in five years involved alcohol as an aggravating factor and asked about increased messaging on moderation.
• Stephen Chambers MLA warned of a “rapidly shrinking window of opportunity” to pass the MUP legislation and the Minister acknowledged that he may be forced to issue a statement explaining why MUP cannot proceed, saying “I fear that I will be doing the latter and I very much regret that.”
• He confirmed that the Chief Medical Officer believes the evidence to be irrefutable and he himself is “passionate about MUP on alcohol.”
• He added: “I await formal confirmation of the position of Executive colleagues. Time is running out.”

The Minister also answered an oral question from Peter Martin MLA relating to the transition from long-stay psychiatric units into community-based supported housing. 

• He confirmed that, in spite of psychiatric units no longer being designated as long‑stay settings, some medically fit patients experience delayed discharge due to multiple systemic factors.
• He said that both statutory and non‑statutory services face rising demand and increasingly complex presentations, often linked to trauma, substance misuse and limited support networks.
• He stated that key barriers to discharging patients to supported living include limited placement availability, the need for specialist or bespoke services and workforce skill requirements.
• Additional barriers arise, he said, when providers decline applicants due to forensic histories, substance misuse or residency status.
• He added that supported living is a cross‑departmental issue, with funding and housing stock managed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which falls under the authority of the Department for Communities.

Week commencing 2nd February

Focus: Community care

• Key Fact: Matthew O’Toole MLA pointed out that “Last week, in this chamber, we debated a grand total of nine minutes of legislation. Nine minutes.”
• Quote of the Week: “Our economic inactivity rate, at 26.5%, stands as the highest in the UK and we have the lowest employment rate for disabled people.” – Robbie Butler MLA
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 26th January

Focus: Alcohol misuse

• Key Fact: Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Professor Michael McBride stated that alcohol misuse costs Northern Ireland £900 million per year.
• Quote of the Week: “We have produced guidance on low-risk alcohol consumption. It’s not guidance on safe consumption levels… There is no safe level of consumption.” – Professor Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 12th January

Focus: Future of mental health services

• Key Fact: Daniel McCrossan MLA quoted figures that show 18% to 23% of Northern Ireland’s older population suffering from loneliness and 80,000 people in Northern Ireland over the age of 65 living alone.
• Quote of the Week: “Northern Ireland could have a world-leading health system.” – Mike Farrar, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 16th February

Assembly debate: mental health data – 16th February

Ministerial questions: Minister for Communities – 17th February

Committee for Communities: Joseph Rowntree Foundation briefing on poverty in Northern Ireland – 19th February 

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