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 absolutely believe that, where there is no longer an educational purpose, which is the starting point for any surplus buildings, they should be disposed of. That process includes, before putting such sites on the open private market, highlighting their availability to other Departments. If there were a need for…
My Department does not own any surplus sites, but the Education Authority owns 10 sites that have been declared surplus to requirement. They are planned for disposal within this financial year and the 2026-27 financial year.
That is certainly something that I would be supportive of, but the starting point has to be addressing the inequality that exists. There is not equity for controlled schools; it is suboptimal. Those are not my words; they are the words of the independent review of education, which was informed by principals in…
This is the start of a process of providing the support to the controlled sector that has been absent for many years. The first phase is the establishment of the controlled sector unit within the Education Authority. The second phase is to introduce legislation in the Assembly to allow for the provision of a managing…
I am able to confirm that work to create a new controlled schools unit (CSU) within the Education Authority is under way. It is anticipated that the unit will be operational for September of this year — the start of the new school year.
It is an area that I know that the Education Authority takes seriously. I have outlined in detail the level of support and resources that are being made available by CCEA. When it comes to collecting data and information, it is area on which we need more information; I do not believe that we have sufficient…
I recognise that this is an important health issue that is clearly of concern to many young women and that should be dealt with in a respectful and inclusive manner. Well-being and health are core to the Northern Ireland curriculum, which aims to: "empower young people to achieve their potential and to make informed…
It is a hugely important area and one that lacks data. From census figures, we know the number of young people who have anaphylaxis, for example, but that is not properly captured in the education data. Schools, particularly through their catering services, ensure that meals and menus, for example, are screened for…
My Department is progressing an update to the guidance on supporting pupils with medication needs in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Education Authority. Officials have met parents and organisations representing pupils with allergies, including Food Allergy NI and the Benedict Blythe Foundation.…
I thank the Member for that question. Industrial action has had a varied impact on conducting assessment in the context of the interim arrangements for the 2024-25 academic year. However, given that assessment is a statutory requirement and should be an integral element of teaching and learning, it was still…
Earlier this week, I was pleased to launch an independent review of assessment. The panel is chaired by Tim Oates CBE, former director at Cambridge Assessment, who sits on it alongside Garry Matthewson, the former principal of Holy Family Primary School, and Dr Mick Walker, former director of the Qualifications and…
The scheme is applicable to every sector. The amount of funding that is being allocated to the curriculum-led capital investment programme is limited. It is in the region of £10 million. There are other capital works planned, including for major new builds, school enhancement programmes and minor works, all of which…
The Member rightly points out the need when it comes to 120 minutes — two hours — of PE. Unfortunately, there are many examples of schools not meeting the required two hours that we want them to provide. Part of the reason for that has been the lack of facilities. When we were choosing which part of the curriculum to…
I thank the Member for that question. He has been an advocate of investment in schools in the East Londonderry constituency that I hope will be able to avail themselves of funding from the capital investment programme. Currently, there is work being done with colleagues in the EA and in Construction and Procurement…
The purpose of the programme is to target investment in priority areas that will support and enhance the delivery of the Northern Ireland curriculum. The programme's initial focus in 2024-25 has been the refresh of desktop computer equipment in post-primary and special schools, with expenditure of £5·9 million, and…
A response on that matter will issue to the Member today. I absolutely understand the dilemma that Tiny Tots is in. In that particular situation, however, it is not a legal obligation on the Department of Education to provide support for preschool provision in that respect. I suggest that the Member engage with the…
I thank the Member for that question. He has advocated for Tandragee Junior High School and other schools in his constituency, and I will meet him later in respect of Markethill High School, for which he has been an advocate of work and support. The fact that we are moving towards bringing the business case phase to a…
A technical feasibility report has been completed by the integrated consultant team that has identified options and costs to provide suitable accommodation for Tandragee Junior High School. A review of the options identified in the report was completed by the Department’s technical advisers in September last year. A…
I thank the Member for that question. Obviously, a number of schools were announced that we were taking forward with regard to construction. Sorry, I just do not have the particular information to hand. Millennium Integrated Primary School is one where the construction contract has been entered into, and works are…
I thank Mr Dunne for his question. He has advocated investment in that school and other schools in North Down. As part of the announcement to take forward the new build, officials identified a steady decline in pupil numbers that was more in line with a 17-class enrolment band rather than the 22-class school that had…
I understand that, in every new build, there could be implications for neighbouring schools. We have been carrying out significant investment in the North Down area. Crawfordsburn Primary School is another one for major construction works, which are due to commence next month. There are school enhancement programmes…
On 23 May 2025, Ards and North Down Borough Council accepted proposals to treat amendments to facilitate the inclusion of enhanced learning support provision at the school as a non-material change to the existing planning permission. Therefore, it is anticipated that construction will commence in early 2026. However,…
Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I will start by thanking Cara Hunter for proposing the motion, not just because of its content and wording but because of the substantive evidence base that she articulated in her speech. Clearly, a lot of work went into that and she cares passionately about the matter. I commend her remarks…
I will wait to address the points, but I am quite happy to disabuse Mr Baker of his notion that, somehow, this is money not being well spent. We spend millions of pounds on mental health and well-being for our students. This is the single biggest cause of poor mental health and well-being, yet the Member is not in…