Debate contribution: Education: Budget 2026-29/2030

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 14 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Education: Budget 2026-29/2030
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5685663

Text

I thank the Member for his comments. I share the sentiment. When the Assembly was recalled, I listened to Members who were outraged about SEN provision saying that SEN ought to be a priority for the Executive. Sinn Féin Members were the most vocal. However, when £360 million of SEN funding was provided to the Assembly, Sinn Féin wanted to spend two thirds of it in other Departments; only a third of the funding for SEN came to my Department when the allocation was redistributed by the Finance Minister. That is why I did not support the initial Sinn Féin Budget that was published in January, and it is why the Executive have not supported that draft Budget. The issue was compounded when two thirds of the redistributed SEN funding from the United Kingdom Government was not allocated to my Department. Sinn Féin's approach to that issue is outrageous.

149 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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