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.
Thank you, Minister. Recommendation 21 in the review is to "Promote learners learning together", including shared and integrated education. I declare an interest as a parent of a child at one of the schools affected, which will have its funding cut as a result of what was announced last week. Have the Minister and the…
The Department is currently considering the report produced by the independent review panel and is carrying out an internal consultation to inform a way forward. That process includes discussion with key education stakeholders, including other relevant Departments and arm's-length bodies. Following the consultation,…
I have asked for an assessment to be provided to me on what is commonly known as the "holiday hunger payment". Members will know that that came to an end on 31 March last year because of budgetary pressures in the Department of Education. I have asked for an assessment of the issue to be provided to me. The issue cuts…
The Member is right about the fact that some schools are not following the guidance. I should say, however, that a considerable majority are doing so. Obviously, I want all schools to follow it. My officials have carried out significant work to identify possible solutions. A pre-consultation exercise, which engaged…
Thanks very much for your answer, Minister. In your response, you talked about the uniform grant and the guidance. It is clear that some schools are not following the guidance. Given that, what are your plans, going forward, for the removal of some of the costs that you referred to?
The cost of uniforms is one of the issues that I will be engaging further on with the Department. Guidance was provided to schools on that issue. It is one that comes up every year, and I again appeal to schools. If they were following the guidance, legislation would not be necessary in this area. It is a prohibitive…
I thank the Minister for his answer. He mentioned a couple of options that he is looking at. Is he considering implementing a cap on school uniform cost?
My Department's review of the eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants continues to examine a range of options for increasing the number of children and young people who are able to access free school meals and uniform grants. The options that are being considered include raising the income…
It was part of the £3·3 billion financial package that the UK Government presented. The capital funding that was still outstanding from Fresh Start for shared and integrated education and shared housing schemes was included in the totality of that package. The ring-fencing that was there for Fresh Start is no longer…
I am mindful that, nearly a decade ago, that funding was promised for shared and integrated education. However, the money has been removed with little thought for schools, teachers and pupils. Exactly when did you, as Minister, and other Ministers become aware that that money was being reallocated?
That is one of the schools that will continue to advance in the planning phase because, rather than being cancelled as a result of the UK Government and the Secretary of State's position, I have moved it into the conventional major capital programme. However, it is not one of the schools that was contractually…
Can the Minister give an update on the impact that the funding cuts will have on the new-build project for Fort Hill Integrated College in his constituency of Lagan Valley?
I can. The announcement was made at the tail end of last week, and I know that, over the weekend, the Member of Parliament for North Antrim expressed his concern about the proposals for Ballycastle. I can assure the Member and, indeed, the Member of Parliament for North Antrim that Ballycastle shared education campus…
Minister, the MP for North Antrim, Ian Paisley, and I have spoken to you of late about how important the Ballycastle shared education campus is to the local area. Can you provide an update on that vital project, which was part of the Fresh Start Agreement?
The Member raises the important issue of support staff. It is vital that that business case is finalised. The Department of Finance continues to look at aspects of it. Issues with the business case have been raised by the Education Authority, the Department of Education and the Department of Finance. I have made it…
Minister, I understand the extreme pressure that your budget is under, but can you give a commitment that the business case for the non-teaching staff pay and grading review will be with the Finance Department as soon as possible?
I am not sure where the Member has been. I highlighted on day 1 in office that the budget allocations for my Department were a real cause for concern. Long in advance of devolution even being restored, it was flagged that the way in which the UK Government were treating the Fresh Start money would create difficulties…
This is devastating news for the schools affected. I have to say that the news was delivered in a rather abysmal way by the Department, and the Minister's response will be cold comfort. Will the Minister agree with me that investing in integrated education is public service transformation and, therefore, now commit to…
Funding of £150 million that was previously earmarked for Fresh Start projects has been placed in the UK Government's financial settlement for the Executive. In addition, construction costs for the Fresh Start projects have risen considerably in recent years. The remaining Fresh Start funding is, therefore, sufficient…
Minister, do you think that the Education Authority is fit for purpose, and, if not, when do you plan to do something about it? In this issue, it is certainly not fit for purpose.
Obviously, there are issues around making sure that the information that is provided is there, and, often, it is that inability to garner the appropriate evidence that becomes the challenge. Where there is evidence, the assessment can take place. There are some circumstances where that assessment has maybe not been…
The Member raises an important point around having a workforce that is available to carry out these processes, and making sure that there is such a workforce is a challenge. We are aware of that, and, obviously, it is important that we can recruit people into those roles so that they can carry out the functions that…