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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.
The Member highlights the issues that constituents have presented, and I have met constituents, as has the Member. I absolutely recognise the concerns about receiving support, given that young people have come through the education system, for which there is a legal entitlement up to the age of 19. That legal…
I am committed to ensuring that young people with statements of special educational needs are supported in their transition from school to adulthood. My officials are working closely with colleagues across the Department for the Economy, the Department of Health and the Department for Communities as part of the…
We are well off the topic of the substantive question; nevertheless, I will do my best to provide an answer. Members previously raised the issue of that funding. I moved quickly to secure funding allocations for integrated schools. We moved those school projects into the main capital projects of the Department, and we…
Work is ongoing to audit the special schools estate to identify the capacity issues and how to enhance the schools, and there has been really good progress. I am more than happy to provide the Member with a further update in writing, in which I will detail how that work is progressing.
The Member and his colleagues have had me in Upper Bann on a number of occasions, and Portadown College is one of the schools that I was able to visit. It was one of the seven post-primary schools that I announced could proceed to the appointment of an integrated consultant team. In the coming weeks, that ICT should…
The Member has, rightly, outlined how CCMS seeks to increase the approved admissions and enrolment numbers — currently 80 and 440 in total — through the development proposal process. When that works its way through, it will come to me for a decision. In the interim, the school can continue to request additional places…
Dean Maguirc College was one of 28 schools included in the announcement on the major capital works programme in March 2022. Due to the extremely challenging capital budget, all those projects were put on hold in April 2023. In February 2024, I was pleased to announce that seven of those projects would proceed…
In speaking on the issue, although I will highlight some concerns, I will point to where significant progress has been made in Lagan Valley over the years. Of course, there have been fatalities, and with each of those is a family that has been deeply impacted. People have been seriously injured on our roads throughout…
They are our classroom assistants, our catering staff and our bus drivers. I trust that the outworking of the ballot will be successful, and then we can implement the new arrangement.
I was delighted that we had significant progress on the negotiations that took place. I met the trade unions early when I took up office. I indicated my willingness to engage in partnership, because the issues that affect the trade unions affect and concern me. We therefore have had a constructive relationship. We…
It has been taken forward at pace. I instructed officials to carry out the consultation, and work was undertaken to pull all the information together. It is out now for consultation. I want to have proposals brought to me by 30 October. That will allow me to look at the current guidance. It will also allow me to take…
The Member will know that there is provision for people to engage online with that consultation. Recognising that there has to be more detailed engagement with children and young people, the Education Authority will take forward stakeholder engagement events to ensure that the voices of children and young people are…
One of the first steps that can be taken is for a specific directorate to be created in the Education Authority, because it is the managing authority for controlled schools. The EA has that particular function. It is not the managing authority for all schools. Members will know that CCMS is the managing authority for…
The Member has articulated the issues well, and I agree with her entirely. Therefore, recognising the concerns that were highlighted by the independent review panel, I am committed to ensuring that the controlled sector is given the support that it requires. I have asked officials, working with the Education Authority…
I have approved the enhanced summer scheme provisions. Despite all the financial pressures that my Department faces, that funding will be made available and those schemes will be able to go ahead. I know that that is important to many families. I also want to take forward those capital programmes. I visited the…
The Department's resource allocation for 2024-25 is significantly less than what is required and leaves a considerable shortfall across the education sector. Education will require substantially more funding during this Budget period if we are to avoid a significant and detrimental impact on our children and young…
I can confirm that that official confirmation will take place, but I have announced today that that is the case. Members will be aware of the significant financial challenges facing the Department of Education. We are on a projected overspend of £200 million this year. Difficult decisions will need to be taken, but I…
I thank the Member for raising the question, because I am aware of the need to provide clarity. I am pleased to announce today that I will support the enhanced summer provision programme for special schools this year. I understand the importance of that provision for children and young people and their families. I…
If there is any need to make sure that a building is safe, of course the Education Authority will provide the support to do that. The Member will know that the normal process for new builds and school enhancement programmes is that a call is put out by the Department and the managing authorities put forward schools -—…
I am always happy to consider new builds. I suspect that the Member has more leverage than I with the Finance Minister to help me to get the funding to do that. Where I can provide support, absolutely I will provide support. I am happy to engage with the Member, as I am, I think, with nearly every Member who…
I do not have the precise details. What I will say to the Member is that, where a consultation process is carried out and where we are able to provide support and it comes to me for a decision, I will not be found wanting in trying to expedite that as soon as possible. We recognise that there is a need to provide…
I am aware of the issue that the Member raises about additional capacity. I am happy to provide a written update. I do not have the exact details on where the position sits, but I am more than happy to engage with the Member and to provide more information.
I will happily join the Member in thanking the schools in his constituency that responded positively, as well as all the other schools that expressed a willingness to provide additional capacity for this year and, indeed, for future years. It was a very positive response. In response to the survey that my Department…
I thank the Member for his comments. He recognises the efforts that are being made to try to meet the need. That work continues, because we have to make sure that, by September, every child has a place. My Department is supporting the Education Authority in doing that. We have taken steps, including seeking schools to…
Ensuring that all children with special educational needs have a school placement that is appropriate to meet their needs is, and will continue to be, a primary focus for my Department and the Education Authority (EA). Around 60% of children with SEN do not require a statement of special educational needs. Those…