Analysis in progress: 97,637 of 97,960 records assessed (99.7%). Totals and rankings will change until it finishes. Progress details
Mrs Cathy Mason: Assembly records
All of Mrs Cathy Mason’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) how data collected from this mandate's investment in childcare and early years has informed the Executive Early Learning and Childcare Strategy; and (ii) any recommendations which were considered in the drafting of the strategy.
I will ask about another group of children who are not able to access education: those who experience emotion-based school non-attendance. Recently, I met parents who are experiencing that with their children — they told me heartbreaking stories. What steps is the Minister taking to make sure that those children…
Last week, a number of Sinn Féin colleagues and I met farming families in Seaforde in South Down to hear about the devastating impact that bovine tuberculosis is having on them. What I heard that night can only be described as heartbreaking. Generations — three, four, five or six generations — of families have seen…
To ask the Minister of Education to detail whether the revised Education Authority policy on special diets has been assessed for compliance with (i) the Disability Discrimination Act (NI) 1995; and (ii) the Special Educational Needs and Disability (NI) Order 2005.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any measures that are being put in place to ensure that children with sensory needs, but who are awaiting formal diagnosis, can access reasonable adjustments to ensure they are not disadvantaged under the Education Authority’s revised special diet policy.
To ask the Minister of Education to outline what consultation took place with (i) stakeholders, (ii) parents, (iii) children; and (iv) schools, before the Education Authority revised its policy on special diets in schools.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any consideration given to the impact of the revised special diet policy on inclusion and equality of access to education for children with additional needs.
To ask the Minister of Education whether he plans to instruct the Education Authority to review and amend its policy on special diets to ensure it accounts for the needs of all children and young people, rather than relying solely on confirmed diagnosis.
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the review conducted by the Chief Nursing Officer in relation to ensuring there is on-site nursing provision at special schools.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail a timeline for (i) when construction of the new build at Knockevin Special School, Downpatrick will begin; and (ii) when it will be completed.
Minister, you and I have discussed Knockevin School. I raise that because you specifically mentioned it in your statement. You have visited the school, and you know how vital it is for families in South Down. It provides incredible care despite the removal of its nurse and its being split over three sites that are…
The introduction of the childcare subsidy scheme was, indeed, a welcome first step towards making childcare more affordable for some families. The high cost of childcare, however, remains a significant and real pressure for many families. It is clear that the early learning and childcare strategy is long overdue.…
To ask the Minister of Health to detail when the review of Minimum Standards for Childminding and Day Care for Children Under Age 12 will be published.
On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Further to your point just before Question Time about Members speaking within the scope of the Bill, were you or any of the other Deputy Speakers privy to the rationale that the Speaker used for not selecting the other amendments?
The amendments are about ensuring that whatever guidance, when we finally get to see it, comes out of the Bill is not only written but enforced and monitored. I will speak briefly in support of amendment Nos 1, 4, 8, 9, 11 and 12. I will not support the Minister's amendment No 10. Amendment No 1 would ensure that the…
To ask the Minister of Health (i) to outline the reasons for the Downe Hospital Emergency Department transition from a Type 2 to a Type 3 facility; and (ii) to detail what consultation took place, including with which stakeholders his Department and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust engaged with prior to…
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust being the only Trust operating with just one Type 1 Emergency Department, which is located in Belfast.
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the number of calls (i) the Education Authority special educational needs helpline has received since July 2025; and the average call duration; (ii) that went unanswered or were terminated;
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any actions his Department has taken to reduce waiting times for families accessing the Education Authority’s special educational needs helpline.
Minister, on the back of an industrial relations agreement earlier this year, you committed to a workload review in recognition of the huge burden that our teachers have been carrying. Will that workload review consider the implications on teacher workload that is in the TransformED programme?