Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
I was delighted that we were able to reach an agreement on teachers' pay. It was a commitment that I wanted to deliver on. When I first came into post, a new recruit coming out of our teacher training college was paid £23,000 a year. Thanks to a DUP Education Minister, new recruits will now start on £31,650 a year.…
The Committee could work harder. The public expect this place to get on with its job. I note that, on 27 September 2024, when the consultation on the school uniform Bill went out, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Mathison said: "This is an issue which has gone on for too long." I agree. It has gone on for too long,…
The motion on the Committee Stage extension, which will be debated later today in the House, would, if the Committee follows its inefficient approach, result in the legislation not taking effect until September 2027. It is therefore vital that Members support the amendment that has been tabled. The Committee and its…
The Member rightly outlines how the Education Authority is responsible for allocating the PAN to providers. The allocation takes place annually and can change, and that can create instability in some of the settings. The Education Authority is, however, actively trying to manage the number of places in order to match…
I thank the Minister for his response. Given the Education Authority's recent policy change on the published admission number (PAN) and the impact of the standardisation programme, what action will the Department take to ensure transparency and fairness in preschool place allocations, particularly in rural areas such…
I agree entirely with the Member about the regrettable information that was put out in advance of what was meant to be sent later this week. The Education Authority looked into the matter and engaged with the company that was responsible, Version 1, and it has apologised. It was preparing to release the information…
It was announced on Friday 28 March that, following individual consultation with members, the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) was not in a position to ratify an agreement on the management side's revised formal offer to resolve the teachers' pay dispute 2024-25. That second pay offer was rejected. That is…
The Member's points can be debated, and I have sympathy for some of them. The decision to abolish academic selection by the state led to the privatisation of the transfer process, so I find it ironic that some advocate greater state control. I have a lot of sympathy for that point. Some parents ask, "Why can these…
We all desire the flourishing of our young people; however, you will not see many, if any, reports that say much that is good about putting children under such pressure at such a young age. Previous Ministers essentially privatised the process. Will the Minister acknowledge the role that private tuition now plays, to…
Academic selection supports the principle of parental preference in education. It is a principle that underpins the legal foundations of the education system in Northern Ireland. For each study that criticises academic selection, there is another that highlights the shortcomings of comprehensive education. In England,…
It is a good point. I ask my officials to provide me with updates on the capital programme, and there is a strong argument that those could be published so that the process is transparent and people are kept informed. I am considering setting up a process to provide that information.
I encourage the Member to view the significant number of applications that are considered and processed; there is a substantial volume. The Education Committee knows that, having looked into this particular issue. These are all priority 1 cases. That is indicative of the financial pressures that the school estate is…
The Member has had me travel to Upper Bann on a number of occasions, where I have been able to see schools and SEP projects. I assure her that my Department and the Education Authority are actively working to consider how processes can be accelerated. I share the frustration that the Member has raised. I have also…
I thank the Minister. It is good to hear that some of the SEP programmes in mainstream schools are still being progressed. However, progress is slow. I know that he will agree with me that many of those schools become very disheartened. They have extremely challenging accommodation needs. I am keen to for him to…
In recent years, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of children with special educational needs (SEN). Since 2019, the total number of children with statements has risen from 19,000 to 27,000 and there has been a 21% rise in the numbers of pupils attending a special school, with many schools…
I can confirm that it is around priority 1 cases. I outlined the reason for that, which is to meet inescapable statutory requirements such as health and safety, fire protection, safeguarding and statutory obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. Projects are also progressing to provide the minimum…
The Minister is absolutely right to highlight the fact that the biggest undermining of confidence comes from false information from democratically elected Members in the Chamber. Will the Minister confirm again that the works are being allocated to priority 1 cases and, perhaps, set out further context for why that is…
A lot of the questions on issues with confidence are being raised by Members who created a false narrative and inaccuracies. Where there is a lack of confidence in the process, therefore, that is an issue for the Members who created it. I am absolutely confident in the processes that have been followed, so the answer…
Thank you, Minister, for that answer. Bridge Integrated Primary School, which is in my constituency, submitted an unavoidable minor works application in June 2023 and has been awaiting a feasibility report and business case since then. Do you accept that school leaders' confidence in the minor works system has been…
My Department is operating within an extremely constrained capital budget. Within those budgetary constraints, minor works are restricted to ministerial priority 1, which refers to those works that meet inescapable statutory requirements such as health and safety, fire protection, safeguarding and statutory…
I cannot predetermine the outworkings of the process that are being engaged in. I want to enable an effective youth policy. I have my own view on that, but it has to be shaped by those who are actively engaged in that important work. I have a lot of sympathy with the direction of travel that the Member indicated, but…