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. 

As 2025 draws to a close, here’s a snapshot of the key Northern Ireland Assembly debates, decisions and developments shaping issues relevant to the work of Inspire. 

Week commencing 1st December

Focus: Mental Health & Policing

• Key Fact: MLAs raised concerns about the PSNI’s growing role in mental health crises, urging adoption of the Right Care, Right Person model.
• Quote of the Week: “Policing has become very much baked into the everyday public sector response to unmet Health demand.” – Nuala McAllister MLA
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 24th November

Focus: Health Transformation

• Key Fact: Health Minister Mike Nesbitt committed to a “whole-system approach” prioritising prevention and community care.
• Quote of the Week: “To make the profession more attractive, we need to pay people the right salary… I regret that I am not in a position to move as quickly to paying the real living wage as I wanted to.” – Minister of Health Mike Nesbitt
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 17th November

Focus: Anti-Poverty Strategy

• Key Fact: 21% of NI households face food insecurity; MLAs called for measurable targets in the strategy.
• Quote of the Week: “The absence of targets and outcomes renders the strategy largely meaningless.” – Colm Gildernew MLA
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 10th November

Focus: Voluntary & Community Sector

• Key Fact: A new Partnership Agreement was launched as a “living framework” to strengthen collaboration.
• Quote of the Week: “Our sector is large in reach, local in presence but lean in resources.” – Jonny Currie, NICVA
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 3rd November

Focus: Mental Health Funding

• Key Fact: Northern Ireland’s Mental Health Strategy faces major funding gaps, including £12.3m for voluntary sector integration.
• Quote of the Week: “The funding gaps are… significant and the integration of the community and voluntary sector accounts for the largest gap so far of £12.3 million.” – Professor Siobhán O’Neill
• To read more, click here.

Week commencing 13th October

Focus: Mental Health Strategy Funding & Child Poverty

• Key Fact: Only 16% of the necessary funding for the Mental Health Strategy 2021–2031 has been allocated; 15 out of 35 planned actions haven’t started or been funded. Additionally, over 17,000 children are awaiting an autism assessment.
• Quote of the Week: “I had a meeting today to look at next year’s financial position, which is bleak. There is no other way to put it. We are in for rough waters over the rest of the mandate.” – Minister of Health Mike Nesbitt
• To read more, click here.

In 2026, we will be focusing on Northern Ireland Assembly business relating to housing, mental health, intellectual disability, social care, workforce and anti-poverty efforts. 

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