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I accepted the finding in the King's College report that being non-prescriptive was the best means of implementation. We have not said to schools that mobile phone pouches ought to be provided. That is why funding will not be provided to schools for that. The pilot scheme was helpful, as it provided the evidence base…
Minister, we are all persuaded of the need to restrict mobile phone usage in schools, but, given the significant capital funding associated with mobile phone pouches and the current pressure on the Education budget, what measures in that area has the Department explored that do not require such significant capital…
The Member raises the side effects and symptoms that come from smartphone technology, which include all the things that I outlined in response to Mrs Erskine. That is why we have to treat the root cause of the problem, not just bring in the support that is needed to address all of the mental health challenges in our…
Minister, your Department's evidence identifies the impact of mobile phones on pupil well-being, behaviour, development and safeguarding, as well as the insidiously destructive nature of cyberbullying. What specific measures, beyond restricting phones in schools, is your Department taking to address those wider harms?…
I thank the Member for posing a serious question, one that is based on the now indisputable evidence of the harmful impacts of smartphone technology on our entire population but particularly on young people as they are developing and in our schools. King's College London carried out an evaluation of the eight…
Yes, there is. Minister, there was an independent evaluation by King's College London. What did it find that allowed you to move to the consultation on proposals for mobile-free schools?
I am interested in the harm that is caused to our children and young people via the likes of social media on mobile phones. That causes severe mental health and well-being issues. I have heard that from parents and schools in my constituency. I have engaged with a local group of the Smartphone Free Childhood movement.
The Department is also reviewing its behaviour policy: maybe Mr Baker could be part of a pilot scheme on how to be better behaved in the Chamber. The Member has been critical of something for which there is no evidence. He cannot substantiate it. Coming from Mr Baker, that is not a surprise.
I am not sure what planet the Member is on; it is certainly not planet Northern Ireland. I do not know what the funding of "millions of pounds" relates to. No such funding is being provided. None has been given to any schools. One school has not — The Member does not want to know the answer to his question, which was…
Minister, are you saying that schools with leaky roofs or broken windows can spend tens of thousands of pounds on mobile phone pouches? Seriously? Do you not listen to young people? For £1, they can buy a magnet from Amazon that can open those pouches. It is a pet project. It is a waste of money. Could you enlighten…
Decisions on the purchase of resources and equipment, including items such as mobile phone pouches, are operational matters for individual schools and their boards of governors, which are responsible for ensuring that any expenditure represents an appropriate and effective use of public funds. That delegation of…
We are talking about vacant sites, and the Minister has referenced a number of sites across Northern Ireland. Does he have an update for the House in relation to Milltown House, on the site of the former Strabane Grammar School, which has been lying vacant for a number of years? The historic building on that site is…
I do not have information on that site. There is a process to be followed, however, for the disposal of a site. First, does it have an educational purpose? Once that is ruled out, is there another public-sector use for it? It can then be transferred accordingly, following the proper processes, or you look at disposing…
I appreciate the update on the former Cotton Primary School building. There is scope for it to be further secured and for some maintenance around it. The former St Anne's Primary School building in Donaghadee, which is just five minutes from the site that has been mentioned, closed in 2023: is the Minister able to…
That is a not unfamiliar story when sites are derelict. If there is a specific health and safety concern, that is something that the EA will look at. Obviously we do not want people getting access to a site with the potential for antisocial behaviour. I am happy to raise the specifics with the EA on the Member's…
Minister, has any housekeeping been carried out at the site just to tidy it up a little, or is any planned to take place? It really looks very derelict, and it does not serve the interests of the local residents to have to look at it every day.
The Education Authority (EA) is currently considering the potential future use of the site for the provision of SEN accommodation. The EA has completed a desktop site assessment and is progressing a feasibility report on the proposed use of the site. It is one of a number of sites in North Down that are being…
I thank the Minister for her answer. I know that she had meetings recently with Mallusk Enterprise Agency and Antrim Enterprise Agency alongside her constituency colleague. Mallusk Enterprise Agency has had issues with a lack of development support from Invest NI. It has identified a site that may be of use currently.…
Let me see if I have that information in front of me. I am not sure that I have the figures, but I am happy to write to the Member about the specifics. The capital funding that was available through the local growth fund in the last financial year was quite small. For this financial year, my Department has received…
I thank the Member for her question. As she indicated, she has written to the Department about that business. I always encourage businesses to engage with either Invest NI or their local council on what support might be available and what might be most appropriate. I am always happy to engage and to facilitate any…
Thank you, Minister, for that response. You will be aware of the recent closure of the historic Dobbins Inn in Carrickfergus; I have written to your Department about it. That is a major blow to Carrickfergus town centre, and it will have a ripple effect on city deals or further down the line. Therefore, Minister, what…
I thank the Member for that question. She will be aware — as, I know, all Members will be — of some of the particular challenges that face our hospitality and tourism sectors, not least of which is, of course, the VAT differentials that are now in place across the island and have widened over the course of recent…