Peter Weir
Strangford · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Funding was secured for that scheme, and we have been able to take further steps on it. As highlighted by my colleague Diane Dodds, we have seen my successor, the current Minister, be able to implement it at the beginning of September 2021 and funding be made available for it.”
“One of the great fears — I saw it particularly, as Education Minister, from the point of view of children and the domestic setting between partners — was what was going to happen in families when the doors closed and the locks went on. What was happening behind closed doors?”
“There is another significant element of the Bill. I have spoken about it in the Chamber on a couple of occasions. There is always a slight danger that we, as legislators, see legislation as being the end of a process and think that we can pack it away, put it on the shelf and forget about the problem because it has been solved.”
“I welcome the passage of the Bill's Final Stage and commend all the campaigners who have pressed so hard for it and the Bill sponsor. For Pat Catney, hearing some of the tributes must be like hearing eulogies at your funeral, without having to go through the indignity of dying, which is always a double advantage.”
“As highlighted by a number of Members, the impact of period poverty, though not confined to it, has been particularly acute in young women's education. We know that the impact can lead to the missing of education and constraints within education, and that it does so in a disproportionate way.”
“I support the Bill's Final Stage, and I commend the Bill's sponsor for introducing it. I thank the Minister and the Department for the positive attitude that they have taken towards it.”
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“Taking each of those in turn: in the wider picture, any examination of reform will have to be of a holistic nature. There is no point in different aspects of that going down a silo route. Consequently, while a lot of this will probably focus on educational structures and resource finances, the capital has got to marry in with that. <BR /> <BR />On the state of play of the existing schools, it referred to the earlier provision, and I am sure that an update can be provided on each of the individual schools in the earlier tranches. If we can produce that, we will lay it in the Assembly Library. <BR /> <BR />For the individual amounts, we are still at the stage where, in the detail of that, a certain amount of work will go on, because, again, part of that will be ongoing discussion about the projects with the schools.”
“It is also the case that, because we have these categories — and the way they are subcategorised — there is a ceiling of £4 million on an SEP. Clearly, if there is a major new build that would be above that, it may be that a school may feel that it is not appropriate to put in a bid for that particular bit; they may look simply towards capital. So it is a certain amount of horses for courses on that basis, although there is also the case that the school could put in for a school enhancement programme and apply for major capital works. <BR /> <BR />All those projects will be assessed, and we hope that, within the coming months, we can actually move on major capital projects. It will be a completely open process where people can apply on that basis.”
“From that point of view, there are a couple of issues there. As I mentioned, I think, possibly 165 schools initially put in, so we have seen tranches happening. First, I think, the current prioritised list is due to expire in May, but I will consider whether there should be a further tranche of SEPs announced by then or whether we should look to a new call as part of that. Mention was also made of major capital works. I hope to make an announcement on the potential prioritisation of projects for major capital works in the coming months.”
“First, I am happy to correspond with the Member about Riverside. I am happy to try to accommodate other invitations, but I fear that we may have to speak to the people who have the technology to clone Dolly the sheep, because I may need to be in several places at the same time for school visits. However, we will certainly take every offer and try to accommodate as many school visits as possible. I appreciate that a range of schools put in for the school enhancement programme and others did not. There will be opportunities for other schools as part of that.”
“We are looking at where there are unmet needs and significant substandard accommodation. <BR /> <BR />What we need to ensure — I think that this has been happening in the Department — is that, as we move ahead in area planning, for instance, particularly on major capital works, we have an alignment and that it is, if you like, in step with the wider position of trying to ensure that we get the best overall layout of schools as part of the overall position.”
“Often, a merger can lead to a better longer-term solution, but Members will also be aware that, often, particularly where there is a split site, mergers can create a lot of upfront costs, so we need to look from a transformation point of view, particularly, in connection with that. <BR /> <BR />With regard to it playing a role within the decision-making process, mention was made of the fact that these were decided on the existing protocol. A range of priorities are built into that protocol. Amongst those will be the enhancement works that are essential to effect rationalisation projects, so it is, if you like, part of a wider area plan. Where there are, for instance, split sites, ensuring that things can actually be brought together can also be part of that.”
“First, on the last point, obviously, I do not have direct details here in connection with Islandmagee, but I will be happy to write to the Member on that. I do not know whether he was briefly excited when he saw the announcement because there is reference to "Carrick Primary School"; of course, that is the one in Lurgan, not in the Member's constituency. <BR /> <BR />The Member makes a good point about the broader rationalisation of the school estate and, indeed, where we have, for instance, mergers, and we will look at that in connection with the transformation side of it.”
“Even from schools in very similar positions, there is sometimes a very mixed opinion. Some schools take the view that they do not want any additional burden, and they effectively want somebody else to sort it out for them, whereas other schools are much keener to embrace it. It is about trying to work out a system whereby we can give, within the context of, as I said, value for money, that level of opportunity for autonomy in a sensible way. That clearly involves levels of procurement and maintenance.”
“Broadly speaking, the overall capital investment will be, as I said, a mix of new build, maintenance and SEP. There is still some thought and decisions to be taken about the precise nature of that mix. <BR /> <BR />The Member makes a good point about issues around autonomy, particularly in procurement. That is one of the areas that we will want to look at, to ensure that there is always a balance between trying to get the maximum value for public money and, by the same token, ensuring that we do not micromanage. I think that there is a strong case. It is also the case, looking ahead on that issue, that it is about giving people opportunities for levels of autonomy. Previously, when I was Minister, we put out a fairly open questionnaire to schools on the issue of autonomy.”
“We aim to have these completed in 2024-25, so we are still talking about a few years away. The timescale will be on a moving scale, but we hope to get them progressed as quickly as possible.”
“On that project, first of all, I seem to remember that, in my previous post, I had the opportunity to visit St Pat's, although there are that many schools that I have either visited or not visited — I am sure that former Ministers can also refer to this — that I am trying to work out whether there is a slight false memory about that. <BR /> <BR />Across the board, I cannot give specific commitments on individual timescales, but the intention is that the work will begin in 2022-23. The general rule of thumb for the school enhancement programme is that it would be about an 18-month project, so the idea is that they could be completed within that period. Whereas, with major capital builds, even when they are announced, it is sometimes five or even close to 10 years before there is completion, with these there can be much greater turnaround.”
“Sometimes, it is also the case that it is less about the fabric of the existing building but may well be a lack of particular facilities. It may mean that, while the school building itself is very good, there may be a lack of a sports hall or, while provision of subject matters in, say, English and history may be fine, the science lab may need to be looked at.”
“It is a cocktail of capital projects. It is important that, in terms of the capital money that is available, we ensure that there is a steady spend of that money to deliver for people. As such, it does, I believe, deliver value for money. If we were in a situation where, for example, school enhancement programmes were simply in place of there ever being any major capital builds, that would be the wrong approach. Similarly, if we simply concentrated on new capital builds, we would have a limited number of projects, and this is an opportunity to deliver that. <BR /> <BR />It is also the case, I am sure, that even some of the schools that applied would, in an ideal world, like an entirely new capital build. It is also the case that, on a case-by-case basis, not all schools will require a new capital build.”
“There will be no delay in relation to that. It is fair to say that good work has always been done by the Department on the SEP. I appreciate that former Minister O'Dowd originally announced it. As part of that, there has been a good working relationship between schools, contractors and the Department in helping to deliver the programme. Certainly, there will be no undue delays. <BR /> <BR />As I said, because of some of the restrictions that do not apply to the school enhancement programme, as opposed to a much larger capital build, which might involve a £20 million or £30 million project, schools are not simply refurbished or provided with new classrooms overnight, but, in terms of timescales, it is a lot better than other capital projects. Certainly, there will not be any level of delay.”
“In fact, however, it will mean that all these schools will receive a school enhancement programme.”
“On the specifics of the two bits, the remarks I made about what is proposed reflect a school's ask and not necessarily what the end result will be. Glastry College, I think, has highlighted an issue of additional accommodation to bring it up to the schedule of accommodation — for example, a number of units in the school are undersized, and there is a lack of a sports hall. That will form part of the discussions, particularly as regards Glastry. For Killinchy, again, there are accommodation issues and size issues, and I know that there has been a particular issue around traffic management, which, I think, will be a priority as well. Those issues reflect the asks of the school, and there will then be an iteration of discussion around those projects with the individual schools. That is an important caveat to make clear to people.”
“Sometimes, it can be the substitution of what is being provided: it might be found, for example, that a school's actual priority is ensuring that it has safe wiring or something of that nature. It can also be the case that, if it is then found that, within the envelope of money available, the project can be delivered at a lower rate, some additional money could be available.”
“I thank the Member. I know she has been very proactive in pressing the case for Killinchy Primary in particular. <BR /> <BR />I will highlight a couple of things. First, the money available in each case will be up to £4 million. It is probably likely to be in the region of £3 million to £4 million each. On the detail of what will happen, it is important, because I suspect that this will be raised by a number of Members, to say that the next steps in the process will be that work will go on between the Department and the individual schools to work up the project. All 18 schools have been approved, and all will receive their SEP. The specific detail of what schools get might alter as a result of those discussions. On some occasions in the past, that has been additionally positive.”
“It is not dependent upon additional resources from, for example, the British Government, and there is a long tradition on a number of calls with SEPs, so people can take that the announcement means that works at these 18 schools will happen.”
“Do not forget the expenditure. First, without this sounding a little like a love-in of former education spokespersons — I think you are the fourth party education spokesperson to speak — I look forward to working with you. <BR /> <BR />The money is available, and because it is a capital build, there is a flow of projects. The Department is confident that the money is there. Most of it will not be spent immediately. Probably, it will not occur within this financial year. Unless there is some radical change of direction from the Executive to suddenly cut all programmes, there is confidence that that money is there.”
“One of the processes with new capital build is going through a site search to make sure that you are getting best value for public money and, indeed, finding the most appropriate place. These works will, essentially, be on-site and, therefore, the time between announcement and completion will be shorter than for a major capital announcement. <BR /> <BR />I mentioned that 47 of 50 in the initial tranche are more or less complete. For all of us, I am sure that there is always a frustration about how quickly these things are turned around. Certainly, we will make sure that this happens as soon as is practicable for each of those schools.”
“The Member has become the Chair of the Committee for the Executive Office. I hope that TEO's gain does not become Education's loss. Although it is obviously not my place to appoint members to the Education Committee, I value the experience that the Member brought to the issues as the SDLP education spokesperson. <BR /> <BR />The school enhancement programme is now a well-trialled and well-worked scheme. It can be the case with any capital build, whether schools, hospitals or a range of other things, that, if you are looking at a major capital programme involving new works, there can be a very long delay between announcement and completion. The one advantage of the school enhancement programme is that it is on a scale of between half a million pounds and £4 million, and it is, effectively, work on-site.”
“I am sure that various Members will have particular schools in mind from their own constituency, but it is undoubtedly always the case that, although a considerable amount will be spent on school improvement through a range of projects, if more money is available, more money can be spent. To that extent, we are also trying to deal with a certain backlog of maintenance work, as well as a need to try to provide the best possible facilities for all our pupils.”
“First, I congratulate the Member on her appointment to vice Chair. I know the work that she has put in over the past few years as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on education, and I look forward to her continuing that work through the formal structures of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />Yes, it is undoubtedly the case that this is part of a wider picture and a wider jigsaw of need for capital investment. The Member refers to the financial pressures in education. That is undoubtedly the case, and we will be working with Executive colleagues on a range of financial pressures that needs to be dealt with. <BR /> <BR />There is a little bit more positive news on the capital side. We will be looking to advance major capital works as well. It is important that there be a flow of works that can lead to a level of improvement.”
“We need to ensure that no child who goes through the gates of a school is disadvantaged because of the school's physical fabric or its lack of facilities. That means that, with any investment programme, any money has to be made available in a robust and impartial way. As part of that, I am willing and more than happy to visit a range of schools across Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his comments. I do not have great foresight, but I suspect, particularly when we are dealing with a school enhancement programme and, indeed, capital build for schools, that there may be a theme running through a number of the questions that contains a certain level of local interest. It is good that MLAs have that local interest. I will consider and try to accommodate as many invitations as possible. I do not want to give a specific commitment to an individual invitation, but I will certainly be trying to get out and about as much as possible, because I think it is important that any Minister, particularly an Education Minister, does so. <BR /> <BR />Across the system, there is a need for capital investment.”
“<BR /> <BR />He mentioned the need for reform, and I concur with him. It is undoubtedly the case that, while, for any incoming Minister, there are major resource challenges out there, there is also a strong need to ensure that we get the best possible delivery for all our children. It is also an issue of transformation and reform, and I think that anyone believing that it is simply one or the other —. I am committed to the new document in terms of the delivery of the project of how we globally, if you like, reform education, and I hope to bring proposals soon to the Assembly in connection with that.”
“First of all, I congratulate the Member on his appointment as Chair of the Education Committee. I know, from the previous mandate when he worked as vice Chair, of his particular passion and involvement in and knowledge of education. I look forward to working with him, the vice Chair and, indeed, all the members of the Education Committee when they are appointed. He is right that the announcement today, even on the capital side, is one piece of the jigsaw. It is important to say that, as we move ahead, there will be a mixture of announcements — some dealing with minor works; some potentially with other SEP announcements — and major capital works. It is important that, as we move ahead, that is part of an overall coordinated position on and picture of how we will deliver, in particular, the school estate in terms of education.”
“<BR /> <BR />In addition to this SEP announcement, I continue to advance the programme of major capital builds, as well as a programme of much-needed minor works across the estate. I will also look to invest in maintenance works across all schools to ensure schools are fit for purpose and enable effective teaching and learning for the benefit of all our children and young people.”
“The five post-primary schools are Glastry College, Ballyhalbert; St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena; St Patrick's College, Maghera; Sullivan Upper School, Holywood; and Victoria College, Belfast. The eighteenth school that will receive investment is Riverside special school, which is in Antrim. <BR /> <BR />This is a significant investment that will deliver much-needed capital investment in the schools estate via the school enhancement programme. Improving the schools estate is a priority for me, and the SEP has been an excellent way of delivering capital works projects that have an immediate, positive impact on the schools and pupils. Today's announcement is not just good news for the schools themselves but represents a welcome boost to the economy, especially the construction industry.”
“Today, I am pleased to announce a further 18 schools that will advance in planning under the school enhancement programme. Twelve are primary schools; five are post-primary schools; and there is one special school that will benefit from an estimated capital investment of about £45 million. The 12 primary schools to advance in planning are as follows: Botanic Primary School in Belfast; Carrick Primary School in Lurgan; Cliftonville Controlled Integrated Primary School in Belfast; Glencraig Controlled Integrated Primary School, close to Holywood; Holy Child Primary School in Londonderry; Irvinestown Primary School; Kilcooley Primary School; Killinchy Primary School; St John the Baptist Primary School in Belfast; St Kieran's Primary School, Dunmurry; St Paul's Primary School in Mica Drive, Belfast; and Strabane Primary School.”
“To ensure that a pipeline of SEP projects was maintained in the absence of Ministers, the Department's permanent secretary made an announcement in May 2018 of 25 projects from the prioritised lists to advance in planning. Those projects have an estimated investment of £60 million. A further 16 schools, with an enhanced investment of £40 million, were announced by the permanent secretary in January 2019.”
“Forty-seven of those projects are either now complete or close to completion, with two currently on site. One project is on hold, pending a decision on a major works project funded under the Fresh Start Agreement for shared and integrated education. <BR /> <BR />Given the success of SEP1, on 25 January 2017, I made a written statement to the Assembly on my proposal to make a second call for applications under the programme. By the closing date of 28 February 2017, a total of 165 applications had been received under the call. Those applications were then assessed under the agreed protocol, and separate priority lists were created for primary, post-primary and special schools.”
“While we wait with bated breath for the result of the very close contest that we have just taken part in, I would like to make a statement updating the Assembly on my capital investment plans under the second call to the school enhancement programme, also known as "SEP2". <BR /> <BR />By way of background, the school enhancement programme was first announced in June 2012. The programme makes funding of between £500,000 and £4 million available for projects aimed at refurbishing or extending existing school provision. Particularly for Members who may be unfamiliar with the project, I make it clear that that is not a new school build; it is refurbishing or extending existing school provision. The first call to SEP was launched in January 2013 and resulted in projects in 50 schools being announced to advance in planning.”
“Mr Speaker, I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister of Education, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
“Therefore, the duties of hosting events and ensuring good order in the Chamber that fall to any Deputy Speaker are ones that Christopher is well blessed in. <BR /> <BR />We have seen the contribution that he has made to this Chamber. For all of us on these Benches, the quick wit, the snappy comments, the interventions and the great speeches will be greatly missed when he is in the Chair. In South Belfast, he serves probably the most diverse constituency in Northern Ireland. He is someone who brings a wealth of experience to the role, and I have no hesitation in supporting Christopher Stalford for Deputy Speaker and, subsequently, for Principal Deputy Speaker.”
“It is undoubtedly the case that, had this plenary sitting been held several years ago, he would have been wearing two waistcoats rather than one. <BR /> <BR />For my sins, I was Christopher's first employer, so any subsequent blame will be laid very much at my door. Christopher is somebody who has an intense interest in politics, right to his fingertips. He has a great knowledge and great skills. Like the outgoing Speaker, he is also a family man, and, over the years, we have seen an expanding family. He is someone who brings a wealth of experience to the post. Prior to being a Member of the Assembly, he served as a councillor on Belfast City Council for a number of years. During that period, he had representative roles as High Sheriff of Belfast and Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.”
“Down the years, he has mellowed and become more informal.”
“One of the virtues and vices of being involved in politics for a long time, and, indeed, of growing older, is that I have known many of the people involved for a long time. I mentioned earlier knowing the outgoing Speaker, Robin Newton, for two decades. I have known Christopher Stalford for probably more than 20 years. I have known him so long that one could say that I have known him since before he was young.”
“As I said, we have a long journey ahead of us, on which it will be a challenge to all 90 of us in the Chamber to work together. Whether parties are in government or not in government, the betterment of the people of Northern Ireland should be the unifying factor. The Speaker's role has often varied between the different traditions. There is an outgoing DUP Speaker, so today, on behalf of the DUP, I say that we will support Alex Maskey as the new Speaker. In doing so, we will put forward our own candidate for Deputy Speaker and will support that person to be the Principal Deputy Speaker, when the time comes. <BR /> <BR />I urge all Members to take this new opportunity to work together and to take this first step. People want to see delivery that will better their lives.”
“They will have disagreed with different decisions, and, at times, I am sure, all of us have disagreed with something that the Speaker has done, but that highlights his impartiality. We wish him well in the future.”
“When someone leaves a senior post such as this, it is, perhaps, the nearest equivalent that he will have to hearing the eulogies at his own funeral, without having the inconvenience of dying in the meantime. However, I have no hesitation in praising Robin Newton. I have known Robin and his family for more than 20 years. Above all, Robin is a family man. He is a man of quiet conviction and, unlike, perhaps, some outgoing Speakers in other places, did not seek to make himself the centre of attention in a showy role but tried to maintain discipline in a fair, even-handed and dignified manner. In doing so, I suppose, every Speaker, at times, will incur the wrath of one side or the other.”
“Thank you, Mr Acting Speaker. First, I congratulate you on the conduct of today's sitting. It is great to see you in your rightful place, George. <BR /> <BR />The eyes of the world are on us today, but the citizens of Northern Ireland are particularly looking to us to deliver for them. They look on with hope and expectation and probably — some of them — with a certain level of cynicism, so there is a major challenge for all of us. <BR /> <BR />We begin today with this first item of business, the election of a Speaker, which is the first step in a long journey — one might say, "a never-ending journey" — to try to make life better for all our citizens. In electing a new Speaker, we should first acknowledge and pay tribute to the outgoing Speaker, Robin Newton.”
“Currently, the situation is that expressions of interest have been sought, and a lengthy list was produced of those who were interested within that. The advice and, indeed, the nature of the pilot scheme that was progressed by the Executive was that this was open to 120 in this year; that was felt to be the maximum number that could be progressed. We had a lot more than that, and those teachers who were successful in reaching that top 120 have now been written to. There is also a legal challenge, from a judicial review point of view, from somebody who is challenging that. The outcome of that will be critical to the progress of that, but if that judicial review is not successful, progress will happen to ensure — at least with regard to the pilot scheme — that those will be progressed and reach a point of conclusion in-year.”
“I think that my Department will be progressing those issues. We reach dissolution on Wednesday night, so there is a limit to what I can deliver in the short term. There is a very important issue that needs to be progressed, and I will certainly be tasking my officials to try to have the maximum level of cooperation to ensure that waiting times are kept down to a minimum.”
“My Department is happy to work with the Department of Health to try to process those as quickly as possible, but we need to ensure that we get the right diagnosis as well.”
“We are cooperating with the Department of Health in particular, because a lot of the assessments are on the Health side rather than with the Department of Education. There is a working group that is trying to work through those issues with the Department of Health. I suppose the key test on delivery will be on the basis of what can actually happen on the ground. We are faced with a situation where there is a much greater level of awareness of autism in particular. I met some of the autism groups around early autumn, and I think that one of the issues, thankfully, is that we are detecting this a lot earlier. That is creating a level of pressure on how quickly those can be processed.”
“Part of that advice and guidance is that major consultations should not take place during an election, in part because of the danger that, whatever the consultation, people would, in some shape or form, regard it being party political and it could influence the election. I am following the protocol, but I am committed to ensuring that this published. <BR /> <BR />As I said, I have found a way within my power to guarantee that it is published, that it gets a fair examination by the public and that, as part of seeking those public views, space can be provided. Had it not been for the election, we would have moved ahead at a quicker pace, but I have to follow the protocol during the purdah period. This is a way of squaring the circle and ensuring that this very important document is put in the public domain.”
“There are two things in relation to that. First, I think that the danger is that, rather than it being treated on its own merits and looked at seriously, it either, on the one hand, simply becomes part of the noise of the election or, on the other hand, because no one knows precisely what the various issues will be during the election and because they will be fairly wide-ranging, it effectively almost gets put into a background situation. From that point of view, there is protocol that is suggestive of what can be done during an election period by any Minister. It lies within the Department.”
“I was then told that I cannot do it directly after that, but I have managed to find a way that will mean that I have signed off today on publication of that report on 2 March at 9.45 pm. Therefore, no one can accuse me of making a political football out of this by way of it impacting on the election. It goes to the limits of when I have the legal power to do that, and, as this is a serious report, I want to make sure that it is published and that the views of the public on this are sought. That is a route by which we can ensure that all is being done to make sure that this is fully examined by the public.”