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 welcome the draft regulations. As referred to by the junior Minister and the Chair of the Executive Office Committee, a lot of work has already been done on this important piece of legislation. It would be remiss of me to not honour the work of former MLA Pat Catney, who invested a lot of time and energy in the…
I beg to move Today, we seek the Assembly's approval of the draft Period Products (the Executive Office Specified Public Service Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024. The introduction of the draft regulations is required under the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which began as a…
To conclude, the Minister is aware of the Committee's strategic priorities, which, again, have all been touched on today, so I am asking whether a ruling can be made on the need for the Hansard report to be accurate when Ministers refer to the work of the Committees.
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I note that comments have been made by the Minister in relation to the work of the Education Committee. I would like the Speaker to make a ruling on the need for Ministers to be accurate in their statements in the Chamber around the work of Committees. He said that the RSE inquiry that…
I thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome a number of the recommendations that you have brought forward. I appreciate that the issue has been touched on, but I want to go into a wee bit more detail on your recommendation for an additional managing authority. I would like a better understanding of that. You…
The Minister has acknowledged that there is a cliff edge at 18 years for those with special educational needs. Is there scope to extend his proposed legislation for those with special education needs, not necessarily to compel them to stay in education to an older age but to enable them to do so where a special school…
I thank the Minister. I hope that the Loyalist Communities Council was not forewarned about his announcement and that it had no role in shaping it. On raising the age of educational participation, what work has the Minister done to secure extra funding for schools and colleges, including education support workers, and…
Minister, classroom assistants play a vital role in the education of many children, yet they merit no mention in your statement, and your Department's response to the review talks merely about reducing their number. What will you do for that vital sector of the education community, particularly for their security of…
I thank the Minister for his statement. He mentioned reform of area planning. What does he envisage will be involved in that reform? Will there be a rural needs assessment, with the engagement of the community?
I welcome the Minister's important statement and the key areas for reform that he has identified. Can he say more about the basis for increasing the age of participation in education and training to 18?
Thank you, Minister, for your answers so far. We have waited 10 years for the online careers portal, and progress on the 14-19 framework has been heavily criticised in a Northern Ireland Audit Office report on skills. What is the Minister planning to do to get that back on track?
I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he provide some more detail on the curriculum review and, in particular, how better outcomes can be achieved on literacy and numeracy?
The Executive Office strategy to end violence against women and girls cites RSE as an incredibly important tool to help reduce such violence. Given the weeks that are in it, we should try to depoliticise and not trivialise such matters. Minister, will you commit to ensuring that further education colleges and schools…
At the Education Committee last week, I asked when we could expect the Department's response to the independent review, so it is great to see an initial response today. I also welcome it that the Minister will come to the Committee soon. I also noted at the Committee that he had a propensity to launch political…
I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister mentioned the need to value our workforce and the need to attract and, of course, retain teachers. Will the Minister seek to maintain parity with teachers' pay and conditions in the rest of the UK?
Minister, I welcome the fact that you have commissioned a curriculum review. Will any recommendations from the review be subject to any level of public consultation? Will you, Minister, be the final arbiter when signing off on any of those recommendations?
Minister, you referenced the recommendation about reform and greater investment in early years provision, and you went on to highlight the work that you will do on professional development. Will that include the professionalisation of the early years sector, which desperately requires support with its workforce…
Minister, the headline in the statement is that you will legislate to ensure that children will remain in education or training until they are 18 years old. Are there specific case studies that the Minister or, indeed, the independent review panel looked at to suggest that that delivers the best outcomes? Will the…
I thank the Minister for his statement and answers. When I was on the Education Committee, we heard from the independent panel, and there was an acknowledgement that special educational needs were a priority for the Committee, so I take exception to the implication that the Committee did not care about that. Will the…
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. In light of the Minister's announcement this morning that young people will have to remain in education or training until they are 18, will he tell us what discussions he has had, and what work he has done, with the Minister for the Economy? Will he also tell us when he will…
I thank the Minister for his statement. His Department has already engaged in some really good work around early intervention and early years, which was a recommendation from the independent review. Does the Minister have any plans to do more in those areas in the rest of the mandate?
I thank the Minister for his statement. He will be aware that Castle Tower School in my constituency has recently had to expand into the former Ballee High School site due to increasing need. Minister, will young people between 16 and 18 who have a special educational need also be included, and what additional…
I thank the Minister for the proposals that he has laid out today. It is an ambitious plan to progress our education system. Does the Minister feel that the education system in Northern Ireland is properly funded?