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.
— mouths. How can you stand here and justify taking away measures that are designed to support the most vulnerable? Should you not put your efforts into creating more and better places for those children?
Minister, you mention equality for all children as what you are trying to do here, but children do not start on an equal footing. They do not all start out from the same place, and, as Education Minister, you should understand that. You know what the socially disadvantaged circumstances criterion was for. You know…
Minister, I also hear from a huge number of families on the issues. I want all families to have the option of full-time preschool hours if they want them. Although your statement announces a consultation, in effect, through the way in which you are asking settings to implement the current legislation, you are ending…
The Minister will be aware that there is incontrovertible evidence that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have poorer educational outcomes than their peers from more affluent backgrounds, hence the reason that the prioritisation criterion was brought in in the first place. Following on from the previous…
I agree entirely that we need to stand on the side of working families, often with two parents who are working hard and struggling to make ends meet. There has to be fairness for them. The flip side of that is that there are those who are socially disadvantaged; often, there is not the same social capital, and that…
I welcome the Education Minister's statement. What numbers or percentages of pupils were eligible for priority when the SDC was introduced, and how many were there last year?
Once again, we have the Education Minister playing politics with children. You are pitting children against children, and the most vulnerable in our society are made vulnerable by decisions such as this. It was a very depressing statement, and not once did you mention children with additional needs. Is it fair to say,…
Minister, you will know that roughly one in five children in Northern Ireland live in absolute poverty, and that that will shape their lives and have serious implications for their life chances. We all know that preschool can play a powerful, vital and meaningful role in closing that gap. Knowing that, Minister, why…
Since taking office in February 2024, my approach has been characterised by three simple ambitions: excellence in education, choice for parents and a fair deal for hard-working families. By this stage, Members will no doubt be familiar with my educational reform plan, which is grounded in evidence and informed by…
My statement will be in Irish. Members may wish to put on their headphones. Tá sé cothrom agus simplí a rá go bhfuil sé soiléir, i mbliana, go bhfuil Béal Feirste anois i gcroílár shaol cultúrtha agus Gaeilge na hÉireann: d’éirigh go hiontach le hOireachtas na Samhna ar an bhliain seo caite; bhí ard-fheis Chonradh na…
First and foremost, on behalf of the DUP, Mr Speaker, I join you in your condolences to the family of Stephen Walker: a remarkable man and a gentleman on and off the screen. I pay tribute to his courage and commitment as a journalist. He was fearless, fair and level-headed. I have no doubt that his loss has left a…
FlaggedImmigration, asylum, race, ethnicity and TravellersCriteria met: Sectarian or communal antagonism, Dog-whistle messaging.
I reiterate my continued opposition to the removal of emergency general surgery from Causeway Hospital. I do not oppose change for the sake of it. The Northern Trust argues that the current model cannot be sustained across two sites, that emergency surgical demand at Antrim Area Hospital is significantly higher and…
The massacre that took place in the fields outside Fivemiletown in late June horrified people across Northern Ireland. The decision by DAERA officials to slaughter 51 healthy cattle put a focus on the Environment Minister and torpedoed the myth that animal welfare is a top priority for him. Let us not forget that,…
Just a few weeks ago — over the summer recess — Northern Ireland was faced with yet another change of leadership in the Department of Health with Mike Nesbitt's resignation as Minister. I thank Mike for his time in the role. We had many robust exchanges in the Assembly Chamber and in Committee, but I respect the…
Over the summer, Carrickfergus suffered the latest of a series of blows to our high street with the announcement from the owners of Dobbins Inn that that historic business will close later this month. That is a huge blow not only to Carrickfergus High Street but to tourism and hospitality across the town and, indeed,…
When it comes to dealing with serious concerns brought to Ministers and Departments, we cannot talk out of both sides of our mouth. Concerns must be taken seriously, investigated properly and acted upon quickly. On 29 June, in Fivemiletown, a deeply concerning incident unfolded, with the slaughter of 51 cattle. I want…
In the December monitoring round, £6 million of funding was allocated to the Minister of Education for Irish-medium facilities and accommodation, which was supposed to go to Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta It is a simple issue: Paul Givan's Department bid for £6 million specifically for Irish-medium accommodation…
One of the reasons why I stay in politics is that I do not want my children to move to Australia; I want them to stay and have a future here. I want every child to be proud of living here. The stories that have filled the airwaves over the past few weeks give concern to, I think, everyone in Northern Ireland, but…
The DUP is, and always has been, a firmly pro-life party. We are dedicated to giving a voice to the voiceless and advocating at every turn for the right to life for babies from the moment at which they are formed in the womb. Only months ago in the Chamber, every corner of the House came together with genuine…
Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Bhí tú i do chodladh ansin. I have listened with intent this afternoon to contributions from the DUP and, indeed, broader political unionism, hoping that we would hear some positivity. Although I am not surprised, I, of course, have been disappointed. The summer is over, and I…
I highlight what is happening at Altnagelvin Area Hospital's emergency department. It can be described only as an utter disgrace. People across the area that I represent and far beyond who have to travel to the hospital with sick relatives or for themselves are fed up hearing language and excuses about pressures,…
With the untimely passing of Stephen Walker, local journalism has lost a role model. With Stephen's untimely passing, society has lost a role model . For over three decades at the BBC, Stephen was a class act, demonstrating all the characteristics of an effective journalist. He was curious, courteous and bloody…