NI Assembly Library

Research Paper: Intergovernmental relations in the UK. This briefing paper describes the institutional landscape of intergovernmental relations in the UK, with a focus on Northern Ireland. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Digital spaces, real harm: Tackling online violence against women and girls - Research Matters Content notice: This blog article contains references to online harassment, abuse and violence targeting women and girls that some readers may find distressing. High-profile cases such as the Gamergat...

New blog article - Digital spaces, real harm: Tackling online violence against women and girls. This blog examines figures from a range of reports and surveys exploring the topic of online violence against women and girls. www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/12/09/d...

This blog also summarises previous developments, outlines the emerging framework for future phases, and signposts where more detailed guidance will appear as programmes open for applications. (2/2)

What’s the Shared Island funding initiative for arts and cultural heritage? - Research Matters Introduction Last month, the Irish Government announced new allocations to the Shared Island fund. The Shared Island funding initiative is not a single programme but a suite of interconnected strands ...

New blog article: What’s the Shared Island funding initiative for arts and cultural heritage This blog post aims to provide a clear, factual overview of what is currently known about the structure, purpose, and administration of these funds. (1/2) www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/12/09/w...

Find all the details of our recent publications here:

Deposited Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Research Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Blog articles: www.assemblyresearchmatters.org

Deposited Paper: Information provided by the Minister for Communities in response to Michelle McIlveen MLA detailing the number of young people presenting as homeless, broken down by type of accommodation they were residing in at the time of presentation. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Research Paper: RHI (Closure of the Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill: key considerations. This Paper outlines essential context-setting information, along with key policy and “public purse” considerations, if the Bill is enacted as introduced. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

With a recent drop in temperature, we are highlighting a couple of recent topical digests that we have produced.

This topical digest covers the issue of fuel poverty www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

With a recent drop in temperature, we are highlighting a couple of recent topical digests that we have produced.

First up our recent publication regarding Housing: net zero, decarbonisation and retrofitting. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill: A brief overview - Research Matters The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill (‘the Bill’) is currently being considered by the Assembly. This blog article provides a brief ou...

Blog article: The Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill. This blog article provides a brief outline of some of the main provisions contained in the Bill and the next steps are in the process. www.assemblyresearchmatters.org/2025/11/24/i...

A bumper week of publications,

Find all the details here:

Deposited Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Research Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Blog articles: www.assemblyresearchmatters.org

Research Paper: Progress against the 2021 PAC report on SEN. The paper considers the progress made by the Department of Education and the EA since publication of the Public Accounts Committee’s Report on Impact Review of Special Educational Needs. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

The cost of caring: Gender inequalities and the risks of poverty faced by unpaid carers in Northern Ireland - Research Matters Carers Rights Day, observed on 20 November, is intended to raise awareness about the rights of the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers and the support available to them. CarersUK organises the day, with th...

New blog article: for #CarersRightsDay
The cost of caring: Gender inequalities and the risks of poverty faced by unpaid carers in Northern Ireland.

Research Paper - Justice Bill: Live Links Amendments
This paper provides an overview of the amendments to the Justice Bill relating to live links. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

The paper also explores stakeholder views, implementation challenges and the Bill’s interaction with existing legislation and policy frameworks to support scrutiny by members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Health. (2/2)

Research Paper: Adult Protection Bill 2025
This paper provides an analysis of the Adult Protection Bill (Northern Ireland) 2025. The paper examines the Bill’s background, scope and key provisions. (1/2) www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Research Paper: This Review of Bill Costs considers the key potential financial implications for the public purse if the Adult Protection Bill is enacted as introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Information provided by the Minister for Education in response to John Stewart MLA detailing (i) any capital investment that has been made in schools; and (ii) any further planned projects, in East Antrim constituency, in each of the last three years. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

The petition, which was signed by 31 Members, expressed concern that a decision taken by the Minister for the Economy may have been taken in contravention of section 28A(1) of the 1998 Act; and that it related to a matter of public importance. (2/2)

Deposited Paper: A copy of a letter from the Speaker to all MLAs in relation to the decision made regarding a petition tabled under section 28B of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on 21 October 2025. (1/2) www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Time for another roundup of our recent publications.

Deposited Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Research Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus....

Blog articles: www.assemblyresearchmatters.org

This Paper considers Clause 18 of the Administration and Financial Provisions Bill, which if enacted as introduced would amend the current statutory limit on Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund advances for civil contingencies. (2/2)

Research Paper: Administration and Financial Provisions Bill: comparative perspective on Consolidated Fund advance limits for civil contingencies. (1/2) www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Deposited Paper: Information provided by the Minister for Communities in response to Diane Dodds MLA requesting a breakdown of the roles of staff at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, including any current vacancies. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Deposited Paper: Information provided by the Minister for Communities in response to Jonathan Buckley MLA outlining the number of houses in multiple occupation that have been licensed, in each of the last five years, broken down by Local Council Area. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Deposited Paper: Information provided by the Minister for Communities in response to @GerryKellyMLA in which he asked the Minister to detail any potential sites in North Belfast that could be used for the development of social housing. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Time for another roundup of our recent publications.

Deposited Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Research Papers: www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-bus...

Blog articles: www.assemblyresearchmatters.org

The paper then outlines some of the key issues that should be addressed if outdoor learning is to be successfully embedded in schools and other settings in Northern Ireland based on lessons from Northern Ireland and elsewhere. (2/2)

New Research Paper - Outdoor education in NI: impacts and issues This paper considers outdoor education in Northern Ireland, the benefits of it and the barriers to it, as well as potential lessons from elsewhere. (1/2) www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...

Deposited Paper: Information provided by the Minister for Education in response to Pat Sheehan MLA detailing the minutes of all meetings held with departmental officials, to date, in relation to the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill. www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets...