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 his statement today. He is delivering on the key needs of schools here in Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that, when the call goes out, he will be inundated with schools looking to apply. That points to my question about the criteria: will the projects need to be spade-ready through the…
I thank the Minister. Will outdoor play investment allow schools to develop outdoor learning environments suitable for the delivery of programmes such as the forest school programme?
I also warmly welcome the announcement this morning, which will make a real difference to, and impact on, pupils across Northern Ireland. Has the Minister any figures on how many schools in Northern Ireland have a shortfall in PE accommodation?
I very much welcome the Minister's statement. Limavady High School has no dedicated sports hall. Indeed, it is the only post-primary school in that area that has no sports hall. Young people of that school have to carry out their sports activity in a park some distance away, where two people were killed and murdered.…
I thank the Minister for his statement. Is there any scope within the initiative for the return of free digital devices for children from disadvantaged backgrounds in order to support their learning?
I thank the Minister. I join everybody in welcoming the investment. A recent report said that only 13% of our kids got the recommended amount of physical activity, so this is really worthwhile. Is the Department collecting data on whether schools are delivering the minimum two hours a week of PE to ensure that we have…
I thank the Minister for his excellent statement. It is yet another example of him and our party delivering for communities across Northern Ireland. Minister, will you confirm that the funding for the outdoor play equipment for schools in North Belfast, many of which you have visited, will be available in schools'…
I thank the Minister for his statement, and I welcome the investment. I can talk with a little experience about my community, where we have a covered sports area that a multitude of sports use, including football and handball. Just recently, Ulster GAA had a wheelchair football session for our local school in that…
I join others in welcoming the Minister's announcement and thank him for bringing it to the Assembly. How will the additional PE facilities cater for the needs of students with disabilities to ensure that all students can participate in physical education?
I thank the Minister for his welcome statement. A significant issue that faces the Irish-medium sector is the availability of language-appropriate support, curriculum resources and materials. Does the Minister intend looking at that issue with a view to supporting our Irish-medium school communities?
Many schools and students will be delighted to hear of an overdue upgrade of their computer facilities that will enhance access and educational opportunities across the board. Investment in PE is also massively welcome, given the indisputable health benefits that it brings. Can the Minister assure us that that there…
I want to address the Assembly on the important topic of how we can enhance and support the educational experience of our young people through targeted, strategic capital investment in our schools. Investment in the schools estate is not just about how much money we spend but how well we spend it. Today, I am…
I rise to raise my concerns about how the Northern Ireland guard force has been treated in Northern Ireland by the Ministry of Defence. The Northern Ireland guard force provides armed protection to 11 Army Reserve camps across Northern Ireland, including in my constituency, which is also yours, Madam Principal Deputy…
This morning, I rise to talk about dogs — super dogs. These dogs use a combination of air scenting and terrain training to locate missing and vulnerable people in any environment. Those amazing canines can cover a search area in half the time it would take a dozen humans. The organisation is called K9 Search and…
I congratulate Robert Emmet's GAC Slaughtneil on retaining an Ulster title on Sunday after a spectacular victory over Portaferry, when the team came from eight points down to eventually win by three points. I congratulate the people of Slaughtneil on again becoming Ulster champions. As my wee friend Patrick McMullan…
Thank you, Principal Deputy Speaker, for clarifying that. In the season of goodwill, I appreciate your festive spirit in letting me in briefly. I want to talk about a couple of developments in a really wonderful community — Carryduff — that is part of my constituency. Carryduff is one of the most vibrant,…
I rise today to talk about the support group Parents 4 PEGs. The group came to Stormont yesterday, and it fights — families, parents and friends — for their children, who have complex medical requirements and needs and thus have to be fed through a tube. Many of the children are still in prams or wheelchairs, and, for…
At the end of last week, I met a large group of local principals and special educational needs coordinators (SENCOs) to discuss the critical issues facing the special educational needs system in our schools, following widespread concern among school leaders in response to the Department's comments about the role of…
As has been mentioned, today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is appropriate that we take time to consider the continuing barriers that people with disabilities face in our society. The theme for this year is: "Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable…
TB has been a long-standing and challenging problem for farmers in Northern Ireland. Following the recent publication by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Chief Veterinary Officer of a 90-page review, it is extremely disappointing to find that TB is far from being resolved. It is…
This Saturday, 7 December, is Small Business Saturday. The initiative, now in its twelfth year, aims to encourage people to visit their local town centres and support local traders and businesses. Essentially, it is to encourage people to shop and trade locally and to support the many micro and small businesses across…
What date is it? It is 3 December. May I wish you a happy Christmas, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker? I am a Christmassy type of person, but I often have to catch myself on when December starts and I play my Christmas music and get really happy, because the reality for many people across the world is that they have…
I want to take a moment to reflect on the significance of World Wildlife Conservation Day, which is celebrated annually on 4 December. World Wildlife Conservation Day was envisioned and set in motion 12 years ago by then US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. The day was established by a pledge by the US State…