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 thank the Minister for coming to my constituency last week to visit Castle Tower School. I am unapologetic when I say that I hope and trust that he will look on that school fondly when he is deciding on his Department's priorities. One of the struggles facing controlled schools is their historical budget deficits,…
I have been to Lisneal College and have seen people playing football on the pitch that the EA statement says has not been used since 2019. I welcome the investment, but rather than fire barbs across the Chamber, surely the Minister can understand the queries, questions and concerns from schools that have leaking roofs…
I thank the Minister for his statement, the theme of which was equality. Can the Minister outline some of the inequalities that the controlled sector currently faces?
Minister, the DUP could have a branch meeting at the Education Authority. Nepotism is alive and well What process did your Department go through to establish a 50% inflationary increase on minor works? How and when was that increase communicated to the schools, and how many schools are currently engaged in minor works…
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I commend the Minister for his welcome announcement. He has already highlighted the diversity in the controlled schools sector. Many schools in the sector are actively involved in shared education initiatives with other schools, including schools from other sectors. Will the Minister…
Minister, your Department told the Audit Office in November, I believe, that it could afford only urgent repairs and statutory requirements. My question relates to Lisneal College's football pitch. Why is a football pitch that needs to be made to Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) standards an urgent repair or…
I thank the Member for the question. Unless you are deemed an officially integrated school, the Alliance Party does not care. That is why it has opposed the Strule Shared Education Campus. At every opportunity, it has opposed bringing together 4,000 children at an iconic, landmark educational campus in a town that was…
FlaggedEducation structures, integration and community divisionCriteria met: Identity framing, Dog-whistle messaging, Controversy escalation.
We had another statement filled with sanctimonious slurs from the Alliance Party. It is right that that is called out by the Minister and others on these Benches. The Minister has rightly identified a problem and is taking action to address it. In his statement, he talked about changing the system or changing nothing.…
Minister, I have taken your advice: I have championed many schools in my constituency, as you know. We were recently on a visit there. I have championed Bunscoil Cholmcille, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Holy Child Primary School, Lumen Christi College, St Brigid's Primary School, Carnhill and many others. Those schools…
Minister, your theatrics in waging your culture war today would, I am sure, get you on the stage of any school drama project. I want to focus on something that you mentioned earlier, which is facts and the factual position. You referred to Lisneal College as a "minor" project. I direct you to your Department's…
Minister, it has been a typically arrogant and evasive question-and-answer session from a Minister whose credibility is once again under fire. I will ask the Minister this question again, and I would like a yes or no answer, please: did you or your officials, at any stage before or after your meeting with the…
I thank the Minister for his statement. Good progress has been made. Minister, how can you keep up the momentum to ensure that our controlled sector receives the support and equality that it deserves?
I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, you referred to Lisneal College. You know that I have raised St Macartan's Primary School in Clogher, in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, with you on many occasions. That project also originated in 2019 and was also approved for money on essential works to be spent in 2022,…
Minister, I thank you for your statement and commitment to the controlled sector. Will you confirm that, despite biased political media and naked sectarianism by some parties in the House, you will continue to treat all aspects of our education system with fairness and equality, as you have done since taking office?
I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Minister, you referred to the independent review on a number of occasions. The independent review recommended that we look at simplifying things and having a single management authority for schools. Was that part of your considerations? Why are you pressing on with your…
I am sure that the Minister will agree that controlled schools deserve capital investment, as do all schools in Northern Ireland. However, he will be aware that the news story that broke over the weekend has called into question, once again, his credibility. The question that the public expect me to ask him directly…
Minister, may I say how much I welcome the statement and the fact that delivering equality for controlled schools across the sector has been the driver? I know that many principals and boards of governors will also welcome that. Does the Minister believe that the title "controlled schools" is misunderstood,…
Minister, trade unions are opposed to the establishment of another management authority, the independent review of education recommends a single managing authority and the chief executive of the Education Authority, who you appointed, disagrees with your assessment that the EA has, in fact, failed controlled schools.…
I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, what specific resources for staffing and funding will be allocated to ensure that the CSU delivers tangible improvements on the ground? How will you measure success?
Given the inferences of some across the media and, indeed, in the House in recent weeks that make our controlled schools feel less than and maligned, will the Minister take this opportunity to thank those who work in our controlled schools for all the important work that they do for everyone across our community?
The Minister is intent on establishing a new managing authority for the controlled sector, contrary to the recommendations of the independent review. Adding that to the case over the weekend of £700,000 investment to a school, will the Minister accept that there may be a perception that he and his Department are…
Minister, obviously all schools can apply for minor capital investment. Will you confirm what your Department states is the upper limit for minor capital works?