McNulty questions Executive on disparities between north and south

Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has put questions on north/ south disparities to the First Ministers and to the Ministers for the Economy, Education, Communities and Health. The questions relate to research in Professor John Doyle’s book 'Before the Vote: Planning for a United Ireland', which points to better health, educational and economic outcomes for people in the south than in the North. McNulty has asked each department whether it has assessed the findings.

McNulty met Doyle at DCU to discuss the book. “It was great to meet with Professor John Doyle last week in DCU to discuss his new book, “Before the Vote: Planning for a United Ireland.” In his research, Professor Doyle has asked and answered all the hard hitting questions about a United Ireland, and has highlighted significant disparities across the island. With Doyle’s research demonstrating the south outpacing the North in educational, health, anti-poverty, and economic metrics, the Executive in the North has much to answer for in relation to failing to deliver for people here and for failing to do the necessary planning and work towards a united Ireland.”

The questions were prompted by an Irish News article of 15 October, which was based on the book. The Newry and Armagh MLA asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, given their remit of tackling disadvantage and promoting equality of opportunity, to detail whether their Department has carried out any assessment of the article.

McNulty asked the Minister of Health whether any assessment has been made of the finding that 15.6 per cent of the North’s population were on a hospital outpatient waiting list for longer than 12 months, compared to 1.8 per cent in the south.

He asked the Minister of Education about the finding that 93.9 per cent of the post GCSE Junior Certificate age group were in full-time education in the south, compared to 70.6 per cent in the North.

The Minister for the Economy was asked about the finding that in the years since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the economy in the north grew by an average of 1.3 per cent a year, compared to the south’s 3.2 per cent.

The Minister for Communities was asked whether any assessment has been made of the finding that 17 per cent of the North’s population, and 25 per cent of children, are living in households below the poverty line, compared to less than 12 per cent of the south’s total population, and 14 per cent of children.