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.
The Member just highlighted the reason for that. The way in which you would commission a review of the RE curriculum is not the same as the way that you would commission one for other subjects. Obviously, the Churches have involvement in that. The Churches are not involved in respect of any other subject, but the…
I thank the Member for the question, because it is relevant. That matter is out for consultation, and we are seeking feedback from pupils, practitioners and educationalists. One of the driving concerns that a lot of people have is that a lot of our young people undertake formal statutory assessments and tests in years…
The strategic review of the Northern Ireland curriculum was completed in June 2025. The review, which was undertaken by Lucy Crehan, provided a focused, time-bound evaluation of the current Northern Ireland curriculum. The review was clear that Northern Ireland needs a new curriculum that is: "purpose-led,…
I thank the Member for her intervention. A number of Members have touched on that issue, and I addressed it earlier in the debate. I am getting to the point at which I will speak about equality-related matters. The Bill speaks about comfort and practicality. Those measures are in the Bill and will be reflected in the…
I rise to make the final speech in the Final Stage of the School Uniforms Bill. I thank each Member who has spoken today. At the start of this element of the debate, I pay particular thanks to my officials in the Department of Education for their work. The Bill has involved a significant amount of work, which I…
I thank the Member for giving way. Does she accept that it is entirely within the gift of a school, even today, to make provision for the very issues that she has just articulated, and that that, indeed, will continue to be the case? Through the guidance, schools can consider all those matters and can engage and…
I indicated in my remarks that the guidelines will come within weeks. I also said that my permanent secretary will be issuing communications in anticipation of the Bill's being passed today. What the Chair of the Committee is not highlighting, however, is the fact that the lengthy Committee Stage process was not due…
I beg to move I am pleased that we have now reached the Final Stage of the School Uniforms Bill. I thank each Member who contributed to its scrutiny. Even before I introduced the Bill on 18 February, the need to take action to address the affordability of school uniforms had been expressed from all sides of the House.…
We remember October 7, when thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded the state of Israel. Over 1,200 victims were murdered, slaughtered — women and babies — by terrorism. Hundreds were taken hostage, held captive in the dungeons of Gaza. Israel rightly responded and mobilised the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). To the men…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Member for South Belfast Ms Bradshaw has now left the Chamber, but, during Mr Burrows's contribution, I am confident that I heard her say, from a sedentary position, as Mr Burrows reflected on the terrorist threats that he had to endure that caused him to have to move house, the…
The Member is absolutely flat-out wrong. I appreciate that he has never been a Minister in the Executive. I do not think that anyone currently on the Sinn Féin Benches has ever been a Minister, but some of them have been the Chair or Deputy Chair of a Committee, and they know how the process works. This discussion…
Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will go straight to some of the comments and questions that Members raised in order to aid them in their consideration of how they will vote. I welcome Mr Mathison's approach to play-based learning. He could have taken the view that the amendment that he tabled on that had to stand and that he…
I beg to move amendment No 2: As we move into the group 2 debate, I reflect on the importance of the task in hand: making good legislation to enable effective guidelines that will make school uniforms more affordable for all. We have only four of my technical amendments to debate in the group, so I will move straight…
Under the expansion of the childcare subsidy scheme, we moved from 0-5 years of age to all school-age children up to the age of 11 in primary schools. We know that 72 schools in Northern Ireland are registered on the UK tax-free childcare allowance system. We have been working with those 72 schools in order to make…
Yes. The survey findings reflect the common sense of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland. In particular, two thirds of parents who were surveyed indicated that the use of toilets should be determined by biological sex. Regulation 10(2) of the School Premises (Standards) Regulations (Northern Ireland)…
FlaggedDecided on a second assessment.Gender, sexuality, abortion and related social issuesCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
I have, and I welcome the survey's findings. I am pleased that parents in Northern Ireland were included in the survey, and I am grateful to Parentkind for providing insight into the issues that are important to parents and their children. The Northern Ireland report gives a clear indication of matters that are of…
The Member is right to say that teachers are hugely important. I have noticed the cynical way in which the SDLP leader of the Opposition has responded to the question. He does not have a particular interest but questions the merit and validity of it. Curriculum reform is fundamental to an effective education system.…
I thank the Member. On 27 August, I announced the establishment of the curriculum task force advisory committee, which will oversee, direct and lead the reform of the Northern Ireland curriculum. It will be led by Christine Counsell, with Lucy Crehan as the deputy. The committee includes a wealth of experience of…
Obviously, there will be support throughout the process. The Member will know the various ways in which you can be referred into that. It can be through parental referral, through the school or through educational psychologists or paediatricians. They can all make referrals, and an assessment process can then take…