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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.
I am pleased to advise that the new special educational needs (SEN) regulations 2026 have been finalised. Following my consideration, they will shortly be issued to the Education Committee for scrutiny, in advance of their laying at the Northern Ireland Assembly, as they are subject to the affirmative resolution…
To date, the cost of the judicial reviews (JRs) of the RAISE programme is £91,719·75, but not all costs in that case have yet been incurred. The case is also now subject to an appeal. It was also funded through legal aid that came out the Department of Justice's Legal Services Agency's budget. I say this to Members…
I referred to the issue last week in response to other Members. People are entitled to have recourse to the courts to challenge decisions, but, when they submit those challenges, they need to be clear about what they are trying to achieve and why. That case is now subject to an appeal, but the Department…
I am unable to disclose the precise costs incurred at this stage, as not all costs have been invoiced yet and the matter is now subject to an appeal. I can, however, confirm that, to date, the Department has incurred costs of £26,715, inclusive of VAT, for counsel fees arising from the successful defence of the…
The Member is right: indeed, many controlled schools are more integrated than those that have the integrated name on their school building. A diversity exists in the controlled sector that has not been reflected properly, even when it comes to Fresh Start funding, when a considerable amount was allocated to integrated…
FlaggedDecided on a second assessment.Education structures, integration and community divisionCriteria met: Identity framing.
The Member points to the independent review of education, which references the creation of a single authority, but leaves out the recommendations. Each member of the panel said that this would be a necessary step towards the creation of a single education authority. Those independent members recognise that the…
The Member is wrong, because there is already expenditure when it comes to controlled schools. We have the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC). That would no longer be necessary because it would have a managing authority and, therefore, we would roll that into the new body. Furthermore, it would create a more…
I thank the Member for the supplementary question. In respect of the evidence, the task force extensively consulted a range of stakeholders. They expressed a need for clearer sectoral vision, proactive leadership and improved support for school improvement focused on raising outcomes for learners. The feedback…
I am delighted to confirm that work is progressing positively to address the independent review of education's findings that the complex management arrangements were, in particular, suboptimal for the controlled school sector. Later this week, the Education Authority will officially launch the new controlled schools…
I thank the Member for her question and her ongoing advocacy for Carrickfergus Academy. It was one of 28 major capital works that were announced in March 2022. However, it was subsequently put on hold due to budget pressures. The project was restarted in February 2024. I moved it forward, along with a number of other…
The Member makes an important point about the approach to area-based planning. It is for managing authorities to bring that forward: I have just highlighted how one development proposal needs to go from CCMS to the EA before it gets to me. There is not a sufficient pipeline of those development proposals being taken…
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. At a higher level, when it comes to amalgamation, I absolutely understand the need and desire to have a single-site solution. We have just opened St Ronan's College in Lurgan, which had operated on various different sites. Undoubtedly, single sites have clear…
Several areas of support are available for schools that have undertaken transformation. Those are detailed in the departmental circular 2018/15, which was issued in October 2018. That circular offered guidance in the following areas: area planning and development proposals; amalgamation implementation plans;…
I thank the Member for his supplementary. I know that he has long campaigned on this issue. He has met me on numerous occasions, he has presented petitions and he has certainly been a strong advocate for the school in question. I have outlined a process that we need to follow. Now, having had the consultation, it is…
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), as the planning and managing authority for Catholic maintained schools, has indicated that it will seek to increase the admissions and enrolment numbers at Dean Maguirc College via the development proposal process, as outlined under article 14 of the Education and…
Having looked at the Scottish Bill to try to identify what it would mean for Northern Ireland, we believe that such provision would cost between £11 million and £18 million per year. I repeat: whist I support outdoor education, I have to be cognisant of the financial pressures that face the education system, and I am…
I do not disagree with the Member. Outdoor residential activity is very beneficial. Some schools are in a position to provide that, but — he is right — there is no universal provision in order for every child to avail themselves of such an opportunity. My family and I were in Tollymore yesterday, enjoying the benefits…
The Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill was recently passed by the Scottish Government and is awaiting Royal Assent before becoming law. The Bill mandates a minimum of four nights and five days of residential education for every pupil across the period of their school career. That may be fulfilled…
I touched on that in my earlier response. The EA is looking at options through a pilot scheme to give schools greater autonomy in purchasing low-value consumables through their delegated budget and choosing whether to use EA frameworks or alternative suppliers. The main objective of the project will be to assess the…
I share exactly the same sentiments that the Member has articulated. It is a frustration of mine when principals outline that they would be able to achieve greater value for money by going into a direct contract award instead of having to go through the EA. When I engage with the EA on that, it outlines that, when it…
The Education Authority (EA) is implementing its new term service contracts for maintenance and minor works. Sixteen of the 18 lots have been awarded, with 10 lots already implemented across Northern Ireland. It is anticipated that all 16 lots awarded will be fully implemented by 1 April 2026. The new contracts have…
In compliance with section 52 of the Northern Ireland Act, I make the following statement on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in the education sector held on Friday 23 January. The meeting took place in the Monaghan Peace Campus and was hosted by Minister Naughton TD, the Minister for…
As part of resolving last year's pay negotiations, the issue of teacher workload came through clearly. Despite the fact that various reports are in place, I commissioned and established a working group, which was led by a former permanent secretary of the Department of Education, Paul Sweeney. Extensive consultation…
We were able to make a formal offer on teachers' pay through the employers to the trade unions last week. That process is being taken forward by the trade unions through their consultation process. I trust that the process will come to a satisfactory conclusion and that we will be able to formally implement the 4%…
I did hear the Member, and that is why I gave the response. Maybe the Member did not appreciate that response. Where there is wastage, it needs to be drilled down into. The Education Authority is operationally responsible for the transport contracts, and it has engaged in a process to do that. Some Members are…