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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 qualifying, uncertain or not yet analysed.
I extend my warmest congratulations to Downpatrick and County Down Railway on its remarkable success at the recent Social Enterprise NI awards. That distinguished local organisation achieved a double win, securing not one but two prestigious awards, which is a testament to its exceptional contribution to our community…
The high cost of childcare is a serious burden on many families, and it leaves parents struggling to make ends meet after paying their essential bills. Delivering high-quality and affordable childcare across the island is a priority for Sinn Féin, and we are working hard to ensure that working families get a break and…
I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. As each school year approaches, families across the North face the heavy financial burden of school uniforms and PE gear. We need to ensure that going to school is as easy as possible for every child. That means removing unnecessary barriers, making school…
Minister, the community and voluntary sector provides first-class care for children of school age with breakfast clubs and after-school clubs. Unfortunately, we do not have enough of them. What plans do you have to further support and stabilise that sector, specifically in respect of staff and attracting new workers…
I thank the Minister for her statement and welcome her commitment not only to health but to education. Is she able to outline the capital funding challenges to be faced?
Mrs Mason asked the Minister of Education to set out his plan to support children who still have not started school owing to the fact that specialist provision for them in a mainstream school has not been secured and, given that those children have missed out on so much, to state what support will be put in place to…
To ask the Minister of Justice to provide an update on her Department’s work to implement the Gillen Review Report into the law and procedures in serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland, to support children and young people through the justice system.
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his Department’s ongoing work to promote early intervention practices in the childcare and early years sector to meet the needs of children showing early signs of special educational needs.
To ask the Minister of Education, following the briefing at the Committee for Education on 6 November 2024 in relation to the Executive Childcare Strategy, to provide a breakdown of the (i) £23 million to be allocated in 2024-25; (ii) £55 million to be allocated in 2025-26; (iii) £80 million to be allocated in…
The decision to pursue a greater geographical spread through the RAISE programme rather than target resources on the basis of objective need is fundamentally flawed. By trying to achieve a greater geographical spread, the Minister is directing much-needed funding away from communities that need it most. I am really…
To ask the Minister of Education (i) for his assessment of whether there will be a significant resource implication for schools and other settings if his Department extends the requirement for formal education and training; and (ii) to detail the financial support his Department will providee schools who do not…
To ask the Minister of Education, following his Ministerial Statement on 21 October 2024, whether early years professionalisation will be included in his investment to increase resources to support an effective and coherent approach to professional development.
To ask the Minister of Education, in relation to the £25 million allocated for childcare and early years, whether any of the £7.1 million expansion of Early Years and Sure Start has been used to support the Belfast-wide Early Years Pilot Scheme.
It is clear that much, much more must be done to tackle homelessness across our society and particularly in South Down. As everyone else has done, I thank Andrew McMurray for bringing this vital issue to the Floor and for referencing those many Housing Executive stats from our constituency. There is limited temporary…
I beg to move Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. We are facing a growing crisis in our schools that poses a significant threat to the health, well-being and education of our young people. Vaping has rapidly emerged as one of the biggest concerns among schools, parents and young people themselves…
Minister, you referenced the recommendation about reform and greater investment in early years provision, and you went on to highlight the work that you will do on professional development. Will that include the professionalisation of the early years sector, which desperately requires support with its workforce…
Failure of RAISE Programme in Tackling Educational Underachievement That this Assembly recognises that socio-economic background is the biggest predictor of educational underachievement; acknowledges that a range of targeted interventions across government are required to tackle the issue and give children and young…
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Kilcoo senior men's GAA team on its remarkable achievement this weekend in securing its sixth consecutive Down Senior Football Championship. The latest triumph marks a significant milestone for Kilcoo, as it has now won an astonishing 12 Down county titles in just 13…
Raising Awareness of the Dangers of Vaping Amongst Children That this Assembly recognises that the 2024 Northern Ireland Audit Office report on tackling the public health impacts of smoking and vaping, shows an increase in 11-16 year olds vaping; is concerned that children vaping in schools is detrimental to a child's…
To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the number of (a) Sure Start providers; (b) Sure Start places; and (c) Sure Start staff, broken down by constituency; (ii) the average running cost of a Sure Start provider; and (iii) the average projected cost per child at Sure Start.