Analysis in progress: 97,637 of 97,960 records assessed (99.7%). Totals and rankings will change until it finishes. Progress details
Mr Paul Givan: Assembly records
All of Mr Paul Givan’s imported questions, contributions and motions in this mandate, newest first, including those assessed as not flagged, uncertain or not yet analysed.
With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 2 and 9 together. With the agreement of my Executive colleagues, I released the draft Executive early learning and childcare strategy for public consultation on 17 December last year. The consultation will run for 14 weeks and will close on 24 March. I attended…
There is an extensive list of major capital works projects that were announced by previous Ministers, and we are working through that pipeline of work. However, based on the current allocation of funding, that list will take decades to clear. That is why there is no point in putting out a further call for new builds…
I absolutely share the sentiment expressed and frustration articulated by the Member on behalf of her constituents. I certainly would love to be able to do more not just for St Brigid's but for many schools across Northern Ireland, but I can do so only based upon the financial resources that are available to me. St…
Given the current capital budget position and the number of major works projects that have yet to be delivered, I have no plans at this time to bring forward further capital school projects previously identified under the major capital works programme. There are a number of projects at the pre-construction stage that…
Not once did they ever say, "You're a failure", and I suspect that the parents of Mr Baker and Mr Butler did not either, yet people who advocate for abolishing academic selection label those who did not pass the 11-plus as failures. Do they realise the impact that their words have on those who are listening? Do they…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will declare the same interest that seemingly everybody else who spoke in the debate declared: I did not pass the 11-plus. However, my father and mother never once said to me, "Son, you're a failure".
I am happy to look at the information and collect the data on withdrawal, because that information would be helpful. I suspect that it would point to the very small numbers who engage on the matter. In the Member's other comments, he highlighted that religious education should be open to all, but, if the solution to…
I respect the fact that Mr O'Toole does not seek an assault on Christianity in our schools, but he is wrong to suggest that there are not those in our society who are engaged in an assault on Christianity being taught in our schools and on collective worship. I have spoken to numerous principals who have told me that…
FlaggedDecided on a second assessment.Religion and belief (including people of no religion), churches, faith communities and religious prejudice (including antisemitism and anti-Muslim prejudice)Criteria met: Identity framing, Cultural grievance politics.
On 19 November 2025, the United Kingdom Supreme Court delivered its judgement in the case of JR87 concerning religious education and collective worship in a Northern Ireland school. On 24 November 2025, I gave the Assembly my commitment that I would return at the earliest opportunity to set out my response. Today, I…
I was Chair of the Standards and Privileges Committee once upon a time. Having been in the Assembly for 16 years, I have been the subject of many complaints from members of the public and others, which the commissioner investigated and subsequently dismissed. Those included a complaint from witnesses who appeared…
FlaggedSectarianism, hate crime and community relationsCriteria met: Sectarian or communal antagonism, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
It is. I have been assured that the official start date is the same as it was when we started the construction process. There will always be a degree of movement, but I have been told that, as of today, it is still on target to meet the official completion date.
It is progressing well. I intend to be in Omagh in a number of weeks' time, when I will visit the site again. I was there for the official sod-cutting. It is an iconic development of five schools and 4,000 pupils from across our community coming together on one site. I was pleased that the Executive supported my…
I assure the Member that I certainly have sympathy with the sentiment that he has expressed. I am happy to look at the issue, and, if there is an anomaly or if unfair treatment has somehow taken place, I will certainly consider changing that.
I am more than happy to look at that example, if the Member wants to correspond with me about the nursery that he named. I will look into it. If a school or a nursery setting has stepped forward to offer specialist provision that has been conditional on receiving additional finance, that should be provided. I am happy…
Yes. In the past, when there have been specific issues and the information has got into the wider public discourse, Members have brought me examples of those settings. I will happily engage with the Education Authority to address those matters. Ultimately, that is an operational decision and not one over which I have…
I suspect that that issue will crystallise further as allocations are made using the pupil allocation number that many will be aware of. The EA manages that process carefully to ensure that there is no overprovision, because there is obviously a cost if places are funded but not utilised. That is an ongoing process.…
I am happy to do that. The question for the Member is this: does he want to listen to the evidence, which is documented and which the principals identified, or will his agnostic position be a brake and an obstacle to the legislation's progress through the Executive to the Assembly, where members of the Committee, of…
Let me acknowledge in good faith that the Member has said he is agnostic on the issue. I hope to move his position from agnostic to one of positive advancement. The evidence is very much there: it is well documented in the consultation exercise. Do not take my word for it if you struggle to believe it; take the word…
Any parent can choose to deregister their child and then engage in homeschooling. Ultimately, it is important that those who choose to do so are given the appropriate support for that homeschooling to be effective. We need be able to assure ourselves that it is effective and that the child is getting the necessary…
We have engaged with a number of organisations, not least the National Association of Head Teachers. We have facilitated engagement with principals. We continue to identify specific localities where there is a need, and we seek to engage with school principals there, but, ultimately, not enough schools are making…
I do agree with that. That is why I outlined what a 10-year capital programme for special educational needs provision would look like, not least in establishing new schools but in enhancing provision in mainstream settings. Where children are able to avail themselves of their local school that will inevitably reduce…
It is not that I am happy for the test to continue. I recognise that there is an inability to reach consensus on what would replace it and that that matter is open to debate. The law allows for schools to select based on academic selection. That has facilitated schools to develop the test, which is currently done…
I sense that the Member wants to get into the debate that we are going to have tomorrow on that issue. I will be able to say more on it then. Tomorrow, it will be two years since I took up office. I could have spent time focusing on trying to reach a consensus on what we do for the transfer from P7 to year 8, and I do…
The delay certainly has not been on my part. The submission came to me only very recently, and I intend to make progress on it so that we can have the regulations introduced. The Committee will then have the opportunity to look at them in more detail. It is important that we make sure that the regulations are…