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 am happy to respond. That issue is wholly unconnected, but it is good to get the building blocks in place in our childcare facilities when it comes to literacy. The evidence indicates that the complete opposite of what the Member outlined is true. Systematic synthetic phonics has been the norm in England since 2006,…
Minister, literacy and early learning go hand in hand, yet the teaching of systematic synthetic phonics in England has coincided with decreased rates of literacy. Will you reassure the House today that you will not constrain effective learning and teaching to that phonics system alone?
Yes, I have met the Childminding Association, of which Patricia Lewsley-Mooney is head, on a couple of occasions as part of the roll-out of the scheme. I put on record my thanks to that organisation. The scheme's introduction created some challenge for people to get the appropriate processes in place. The Childminding…
The Minister mentioned childminders, which, as we know, are a vital part of the childcare and early years sector. Has the Minister engaged directly with childminders to hear about their issues with ratios? Has he engaged with the Minister of Health on the review of the minimum standards when it comes to ratios in…
I thank the Member for those kind remarks and for her campaigning on the issue. The draft Budget for 2025-26 includes an allocation of £50 million for the delivery of the childcare and early learning strategy. The Executive need to agree a plan before funding can be released to my Department. Although the £50 million…
I thank the Minister for bringing forward the 10% increase, because childcare is so important. I know that because a number of parents have been in touch with my office, and it is vital for our economy as well. I thank the Minister for what he is doing on childcare while others are lacking in their development of…
I thank the Member for welcoming the announcement that I have made today about increasing the cap by 10%. We are building on the work that we have done. Work has started on the comprehensive strategy. We have got on with the job of delivering the measures that are now up and running, but there is now work to develop…
I thank the Minister for that reply, especially the information about the increase in the subsidy scheme cap. Further to that, going back to the strategy, will anything be included in the strategy to expand the choice of childcare available for children with special educational needs?
I intend to bring a comprehensive and ambitious early learning and childcare strategy for Executive consideration and public consultation by autumn this year. While I understand the anticipation around publication of a strategy, it is important to reiterate the tangible progress that has been made over the past year.…
The Member raises an important point. It is why I published the detailed SEN reform and delivery plan on 4 February. We carried out the detailed work of the end-to-end review, and we have moved towards the implementation of how we are going to address these issues. I have indicated that we need to get to a place where…
While SEN needs grow across the North, I am being contacted by parents, teachers and young people who are waiting up to four years for autism and ADHD assessments. What is the Minister's Department doing to quicken up these waiting lists?
I thank the Member for her question because she highlights the funding that was secured through the transformation board. It will provide some of the funding needed to get things started, but it is only a start. As I indicated in the Assembly, the SEN reform and delivery plan will require additional funding in the…
What is the Minister's assessment of what can be delivered in this mandate, following the allocation that his Department received from the transformation board to deliver on his SEN reform plan?
The Member raises the important point of AHPs being available. We are working on that not just with the Education Authority but, importantly, with the Department of Health. Those local impact teams are to be stood up and in place later this year. Some are making progress, but we want them all to be up and running.…
Will the Minister tell us whether there are enough qualified allied health professionals (AHPs) available to the Education Authority to service the local impact teams?
I thank the Member for that question because he knows, as do colleagues in the House, that I published the special educational needs reform agenda and delivery plan on 4 February this year. The reform agenda is about moving the focus to the actions that are needed to ensure that our children and young people with SEN…
Since 2022, the Education Authority (EA) has been working towards a new model of delivery for its SEN pupil support services. This involves a network of local impact teams in which all the EA SEN specialists can work together to tailor support around the individual needs of the child or young person and their setting.…
I thank the Minister for bringing the order to the House and welcome the opportunity to contribute to the positive impact that it will have on our rural communities. The order will continue a small but significant scheme that grants rates exemptions to ATMs that are situated in rural areas. As an MLA for Fermanagh and…
— in time will be appreciated. Perhaps I will get some applause and maybe hugs of appreciation. I will speak on the order largely for the Committee for Finance, and I may then say something extremely short in an Opposition capacity. There is widespread support for the measure, and I thank the Minister for his…
I beg to move The order serves to retain the rural automatic telling machine (ATM) rates exemption scheme for the 2025-26 rating year. The scheme is an important localised measure with the policy objective of sustaining the provision of ATMs in rural areas. Previous research and analysis confirmed that stakeholders…
I thank Members for their useful comments about the order. The scheme is an integral element in rebuilding the high street, as a number of Members referenced; in fact, the scheme was developed here and copied elsewhere. It was developed by my Department and copied in England, Scotland and Wales. The scheme was…
The extension of the Back in Business scheme is a welcome intervention that helps to encourage businesses to take on new retail premises that have been lying vacant, thereby supporting the reinvigoration of our high streets. The closure of businesses in our town centres not only has a devastating impact on those…
I beg to move Before dealing with the order itself, I will set out the background to the measure. The purpose of today's legislation is to extend the Back in Business scheme, which was reintroduced in May last year. The scheme serves to incentivise the occupation of property on the high street that is long-term vacant…
I thank the Minister for giving way. He said that no alternatives had been proposed. He mentioned the £42·6 million and asked where the money would come from. Is he content with the industrial derating policy that gives a handout of around £72 million a year to corporations, including Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, Moy Park…