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 5685690

Text

I agree with the Member. That is why I am putting it out there, clearly, that £361·2 million additional funding was provided to the Executive as a result of the £5 billion bailout of local authorities in England for SEN pressures. The Sinn Féin Finance Minister allocated only £115 million of that funding to my Education Department. We have literally robbed children with special educational needs of that funding, giving it to other Departments rather than putting it where it ought to be spent in my Department. That is why we still do not have agreement on the draft Budget. Let us work towards getting a final resolution for the totality of the Executive's financial pressures, but I will unashamedly fight for every child in our education system to get the best deal possible.

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

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