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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“It is important that that issue be reviewed, too. <BR /> <BR />There needs to be a clear examination of the issue of a central register. Mention has been made of the difficulties, and some of those can be overcome, but that requires a degree of thought, and it requires work with rehoming charities in particular. It seems a little bit incongruous that a pet could be given to someone who commits these crimes, and we need to ensure that we deal with the risk. <BR /> <BR />Trevor Lunn raises an important point, and in the wider examination of what we do with the data, although I appreciate that there are constraints —”
“<BR /> <BR />It has also been asked what further actions can be taken, and a range of things has been mentioned by some contributors, including the specific issue of greyhounds. That is an area in which there needs to be an examination of the law. The increasing risk from online sales, which is a developing field, needs to be considered. We want to ensure that proper regulation is put in place. It is very good advice for people to go to a rehoming charity if they are looking for a pet, for we see the tremendous work that volunteers do there. <BR /> <BR />This is something that is not confined to Northern Ireland, but we must make sure that there is proper regulation in place to ensure that we do not become a transit camp, either as a recipient for abused animals or as some sort of flow-through between different jurisdictions.”
“Although the House has stepped up to the mark, there is a clear signal that needs to be sent out, both to wider society about respecting animals and to judges. I know that judges closely guard their independence, and we have seen a number of custodial sentences handed out in recent years, but it seems to me that the message that is coming from across society has not always got through to the judiciary. Members will bring up individual cases, but mention has been made of fairly horrendous cases of cruelty that, when they have gone before the courts, even in recent months, have resulted in what most of us would regard as being relatively lenient sentences. There has to be a clear message sent to judges that they have to follow through on the public mood and public concern.”
“A very useful report was produced on the implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act 2011. It is commonplace now to talk about the need for Departments to work closely together, and good work was done between DOJ and DARD in the previous Assembly to produce the report. When it was launched, there was, for the first time ever, an opportunity to get all the stakeholders together. That was very useful, particularly the discussion with the rehoming charities. A number of recommendations arose from the report. Practical action was taken on sentencing, which was endorsed by the House and included an increase in the maximum sentence and the opportunity for sentences to be reviewed. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we are not complacent on the issue.”
“Indeed, some seem to take a perverse pleasure in that very deliberate cruelty, which goes beyond simple neglect. It is important that, at the start of this mandate, a very clear marker is put down that this is an issue that continues to exercise the House. <BR /> <BR />The motion states that a range of actions were taken in the last Assembly.”
“I support the motion and the amendment. It is right that the House has taken a very strong view on animal cruelty issues. They were raised a number of times in the last mandate. To be fair to the DOJ and DARD, they are issues that not only the whole House but the Departments took seriously. It is important that we build on the good work that has been done. I congratulate my colleagues on tabling the motion to show that, despite that good work, we do not regard this as a done deal, and we should constantly look for where we can improve things for the animal kingdom and combat cruelty. It was mentioned that we are a nation of animal and pet lovers. Sadly, there is a small minority in Northern Ireland who seem to be prepared to inflict pain on animals.”
“I appreciate that there will be many debates on the issue, particularly on academic selection, but I suspect that it may not be one on which there will be agreement across the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />I agree with the report when it mentions that there is a need to ensure that there is educational opportunity for all. My concern is that if we move away, simply, from academic selection, we will entrench some of those differences and create much more of an obvious situation. You need only look across the water to England, where there has been comprehensive education for a large number of years. It has led to a greater level of entrenchment, where those who have the greatest ability to pay can pay for public schools and can send their children to the Etons and Harrows, as we can see from the composition of the current Cabinet, for instance. I think that, rather than aiding social mobility and educational opportunity, it has tended to be regressive in its nature. I am careful that we do not go down that line.”
“It will not greatly surprise Members, but one thing that there has not been a shortage of since I became Minister of Education is a range of people and organisations offering me their opinion, all of which will be given proper due regard. I accept that any international body will come up with conclusions. From that point of view, I think that due regard will be taken of them, but we also have to realise that we are in a system in which there is proper democratic accountability. We have to make judgements for ourselves. It is always important to take that level of advice, but, as it would be if I were to give advice to a range of countries on what their practices should be, it may not necessarily be the correct conclusion. Ultimately, we have to take our own decisions on that basis.”
“We have different views on that issue in the House, and we might get into a sort of trench warfare as to whether we are pro- or anti-selection. There is a range of key issues in education that can make a significant difference to children's lives — particularly issues such as early intervention — where there needs to be a focus. If we get bogged down in a battle over something on which there is not going to be a degree of consensus, there is always the danger that we will ignore those other issues. <BR /> <BR />The Department will look at the full report, but that does not mean that there will be carte blanche agreement with it.”
“I had a funny feeling that the Member might ask that question. The report is fairly lengthy and covers a wide range of children's services; it impacts not simply on education issues. I appreciate that it will also create a range of questions for the Justice Minister. The Department will give due and careful consideration to the report. From my initial examination of it, there are a number of aspects that I would not necessarily fully support. I take a different view on a number of issues, not just on selection. <BR /> <BR />I have made it very clear, on the issue of selection, that I support the right of schools to select on the basis of academic ability. That is something that is now enshrined in legislation and, in many ways, from that point of view, it is something that has happened.”
“I anticipate that that will look particularly at the position of east Belfast and also, to some extent, north Belfast. That will let us see how that issue can be taken forward in a much more long-term way. <BR /> <BR />It is not a long-term solution for any school to rely on temporary variations. It also needs to be looked at in the context of whatever pressures, opportunities and difficulties it will create for the wider school population in the area. It is not just about what will happen to an individual school.”
“There are two aspects to that. At the moment, there is no direct published development proposal for either school. However, the EA has indicated, in the annual action plan for the period up to March 2017, that it will consult on the establishment of co-education learning support centres for autism spectrum disorder, and Key Stage 3 and 4 general learning support at the schools, with the proposed effective date of 1 September 2017. As that is likely to lead to a development proposal on which, legally, I will be giving a final verdict, I cannot comment on the particular merits of that. I mentioned that there is the longer-term issue of pressure on school places. Around July of this year, the next report on area planning across Northern Ireland will be produced. That will identify, in a strategic way, where there are pressures in the system.”
“That has happened both in the east of Belfast and in the northern part. Specifically, I visited the Girls' Model School on Friday and was able to have an exchange on that with some of the local representatives. There has clearly been an impact. There is a longer-term issue that will have to be looked at; in the short term, temporary variations have been sought by the Boys' Model School and by Hazelwood. I anticipate that there will be an application for a temporary variation from the Girls' Model School as well. The first two have been dealt with; they were granted, so at least there has been a degree of relieving of pressure. However, there is also a longer-term issue that the Department will need to look at.”
“I thank the Member for her good wishes, albeit both of us are in different roles. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, there has been pressure on school places in the controlled sector, particularly on the non-selective side of things.”
“Subject to the finalising of the lease arrangement, it is anticipated that the Controlled Schools' Support Council will be located in Stranmillis College.”
“It was agreed by the Executive in September 2014 that the council would be the established. Funding has been provided since October 2014 to the working group that established the Controlled Schools' Support Council. The CSSC will receive an annual grant of around £1 million. It is expected to be operational in September 2016. Obviously, one of the first steps taken was the recruitment process for a chief executive. Interviews were held on 25 May. Somebody has been agreed for that position. The next step is the recruitment of the three second-tier senior management posts, which is due to commence shortly. It is anticipated that the chief executive and the second-tier staff will all take up post on 1 September 2016.”
“We have seen the establishment of the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC), which was one area in which there had traditionally been a gap. It is important that it is within the Education Authority as well.”
“Pupils, schools and sectors will all be treated equally as we move ahead. No schoolchild in any school should be disadvantaged simply because of the badge on the uniform. That is an important principle that I will be taking forward. <BR /> <BR />Specifically, there will be issues around area planning. Although there is good representation on some of the local groups, I will try to make sure that all the key players will be at the top table to have a say on the provision of regional area planning. It is important to get buy-in from all sectors. <BR /> <BR />One of the optimistic things that we can look forward to with the Education Authority is that all the major players in education, possibly for the first time ever, will be around the table.”
“<BR /> <BR />There was an announcement shortly before the election that two of the schools that the Member referred to, Bangor Central and Priory, have their foot on the first rung on the ladder to getting that level of approval. Obviously, linked with Priory will be the wider Holywood schools project. I am also acutely aware of the situation at St Columbanus' and of the pressures there. There will be opportunities for bids to be put in for future funding. That will be done on an open and competitive basis. I am aware of the real needs of the school.”
“I will be working to ensure that, hopefully, that will be delivered. However, it is also a question of seeing whether there are any short-term actions that can be taken to ease the pressures on school budgets. <BR /> <BR />As was indicated, we are in a position in which there is heavy pressure on the resource side of capital build. Whereas I suspect that the capital budget could be spent four or five times over, there is at least less of a pressure on it because there has been a degree of protected growth in the main budget and in the additional funding for shared and integrated schooling, which is capital funding that has come separately from the Government.”
“That was part of an earlier indication of around £15 million for school monitoring or the aggregated schools budget.”
“I thank the Member for all his questions. As regards the pressures on the pensions side, it was about £30 million. There has been a little confusion on that, because it has been built into the aggregated schools budget. The £30 million pressure came and has been mainlined within that budget. The issue of the £22 million comes from the National Insurance side of things. This is something that has hit across the public sector because of decisions that were taken at Westminster. It is undoubtedly a major stress for schools. <BR /> <BR />I am looking to see whether any additional funding can be found in the short term within the budget for 2016-17. Obviously, as part of the overall process of the monitoring round, a bid was put in.”
“Undoubtedly, we are in a situation where, because of wider decisions taken within the national Budget, every Minister is trying to operate with a certain level of funding. It would be a lot easier if additional money was available to us, but we have to make do with what is there unless I am able to find the money that John O'Dowd has hidden somewhere.”
“We are in a tight financial situation. As I indicated, there are pressures on the resource budget, and those are particularly acute when it comes to schools funding. Once the monitoring round is out of the way, I will reassess the broader Education budget to see whether there is, at least in the short term, a small amount of additional money that can be allocated to ease some of the burdens in schools. <BR /> <BR />There is a wider examination that needs to take place in the broader Education budget to ensure that we are getting as much front-line delivery as possible. That will be a longer exercise because, as with a lot of things in Education and in other Departments, it is not that easy to turn things around very quickly.”
“I thank the Member for his good wishes and I assure him that, in a similar vein of sending good wishes, I will continue to use his shop in Groomsport.”
“It may be better to write to the Member to give details on those two proposals rather than trying to fit them into a short answer. As we move ahead, all areas of Northern Ireland will be treated equally in proposals for capital build. We will have robust criteria. All Members will have a desire to see particular capital builds in their constituencies. One of the by-products of being in Dromore yesterday was my discovery that the entire departmental budget could well be blown there if I were to accede to the requests that I had yesterday. That could find favour with at least one Member here. <BR /> <BR />I will write to the Member on the detail of the two schemes he mentioned because that is better than trying to squeeze it into an extra minute.”
“I want to make sure that, when we get progress on those, we do not have a situation where things simply become parked and are not in a position to move forward. When announcements are made, it is important that they are followed through on.”
“From a budgetary point of view, in terms of the overall SEP position, there have been a considerable number of announcements about the capital spend. Clearly there are pressures on the education budget in general, and from that point of view it is no different from any other Department. Those pressures are strongest on the resource side, and there are greater opportunities on the capital side. It will mean that there may be delays in how quickly projects move forward at times, but the opportunities are there. I have seen at first hand the advantage of SEP projects, in that their speed of movement can be a lot greater than for a normal full-scale capital build. From that point of view, I anticipate that we will be in a position to make further calls for SEP projects.”
“Contract two commenced work on site in March 2016 and is due to complete in March 2017. It will provide a new sports hall and ancillary facilities. Work is being undertaken by Dixon Contractors and is progressing well. Later this week, I will, I think, have the opportunity, along with another engagement in the mid-Ulster area, to visit the school and see for myself what progress has been made. <BR /> <BR />We are also in a position where, as well as progressing the works that have already been announced, it is likely, given the success of the SEP, that there will be further calls and the opportunity for schools across Northern Ireland to make applications on a fair and competitive basis. A school's having received some level of support in the past will not preclude it from potentially receiving support in the future.”
“Obviously, all politics is local in the House, and I welcome the Member's interest, particularly in Rainey Endowed School. The project addresses internal refurbishment of the existing school accommodation and the replacement of old mobile classrooms with new modular classroom units. In addition, the project will have a new-build permanent physical education facility. The project has a financial director-approved cost of around £4 million that covers construction costs, professional fees, statutory charges, F and E and VAT. The contract itself is broken down into two parts. Contract one, which was commenced on site in September 2014 and completed in August 2015, provided new modular buildings to address an urgent shortfall in accommodation. The works contract was carried out by Lawrie Construction.”
“These are St Malachy’s contract two and Our Lady’s Voluntary Grammar School. The remaining five SEP schemes are continuing to advance to design completion, at which point they will also be held until capital funding becomes available.”
“The school enhancement programme (SEP) is a capital build programme targeted to meet the immediate and pressing needs in schools through smaller-scale works. It caters for construction costs that will be between £500,000 and £4,000,000. Fifty-one schools were originally approved in March 2014 to benefit, at a total estimated value of £134 million, and 12 of those schemes have now been completed. Indeed, in my first week as Minister, I was able to visit one of those at Belfast High School to see the good work that had happened there. There are a further 20 projects currently on site, with another 14 approved to move to construction and expected on site over the summer. Two schemes are currently parked following completion of their design. They will move to construction as soon as funding becomes available.”
“Most of the major parties have representatives on the board, and, indeed, there are representatives from all sectors. That sort of robust approach will, hopefully, build some level of confidence. As with any review or report, there is no guarantee that the outcome will satisfy everyone, but we have to try to ensure that we get the best possible outcome from that review.”
“Where mistakes are made there is always an opportunity to learn lessons. That will be critical. Let us be clear on this: mistakes were made by the EA, particularly on the failure to give information, and I take that very seriously. The timescale is to ensure that we get a proper, robust outcome. There is a serious issue with the provision of special needs education, particularly at nursery level, and that cannot be done with simply a couple of meetings at the EA without consultation and the follow-through of a report. It has to substantive in its nature, and it has to be carefully examined. Indeed, there is a key role for representatives of all sectors. This cannot simply be driven by officials; it has to go through the full board of the Education Authority to have that scrutiny.”
“<BR /> <BR />A significant amount of the EA's budget is spent on special education services such as special schools, specialist support services, classroom assistants and transport costs. That funding has been protected as part of the budget-setting process in the last years, and additional funding for SEN has been secured from the Executive as part of the in-year monitoring rounds. Should the EA identify budget pressures for SEN and they cannot be met within the education budget, I will continue to work with the Executive to secure additional funding. Indeed, some of those budgetary pressures were part of the monitoring round bids that we put in, and I am hopeful that the honourable Member for South Belfast will be able to deliver on those in the near future.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I pass on my best wishes to Dromore Central Primary School, which had a very good day yesterday with the service to acknowledge its 78 years as a school. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned, the figures suggest that we are in the region of a 20% increase this year in the number of children who are seeking a place in special nursery provision. Beyond that, there has been increasing demand for SEN support and associated costs; indeed, many of those things include virtuous things in our society. For instance, thankfully, some children's life expectancy has increased greatly, and that is something that we should welcome. It is also the case that the percentage of SEN pupils with a statement has increased from around 4·3% just four years ago to just under 5% now.”
“From that point of view, the only assurance that can be given is that we are part of a lengthy process. It is not simply being bounced through, and there are indications that the Education Authority is already starting to meet some parents and, indeed, will be trying to work through not simply professional practitioners but a stakeholder group. As indicated, there are complex issues with this, and that is why the Education Authority is taking a level of time. It is also the case that I will scrutinise what will happen, and, indeed, if there is a lack of real engagement, that is something I will bring to the Education Authority. I can only seek assurances and push people to give those assurances and then try to make sure that they are delivered in practice, but I will make sure that that is the case.”
“That is also something that has to be given a degree of cognisance as we move ahead with the review.”
“I am aware of the issues, and I know that a lot of good work is happening in Fleming Fulton. <BR /> <BR />As regards the broad position of nursery places, we are assuring people that there will be a place for every child. It is a key issue in ensuring that provision is made. Whether that will be for the exact duration that every parent wants cannot be guaranteed, because we have to make arrangements in terms of the capacity that is there. However, we will make sure that no child is left behind in ensuring that there will be. Indeed, as we move ahead with the review, it is also clear that children will have different needs. "Special educational needs" is often thrown out as just a loose term by people when it actually covers a multitude of situations. What will be of benefit to one child with special needs may not be of benefit to another.”
“It is clear that there was wrong information given to the Committee, and the EA has entirely acknowledged that. I suppose I have an axe to grind on this in that I think I was Chair of the Committee when that wrong information was given. <BR /> <BR />In terms of confidence in the approach itself, that is why it is important that the review is not rushed and there is an opportunity, very directly, for proper engagement, particularly with parents and schools. Too often there is the allegation that consultation on any form of review or any consultation that is issued simply becomes a tick-box exercise. It is important on this issue more than any other that that is not the case. <BR /> <BR />As regards the specifics of Fleming Fulton, it is a school that I have visited on a number of occasions.”
“Mr Speaker, I think that question is linked with 11.”
“The Member mentioned full-time places. I am not going to prejudge the outcome of the overall review, but the key thing is trying to ensure that there is at least something in place for children in 2016; that is fairly clear. It is important that we give that level of reassurance that there is clarity around that. <BR /> <BR />I will be happy to meet parents at some stage. The initial contact, because it is the responsibility of the EA, has to be that direct conversation between the EA and parents. That is the initial contact, but I am more than happy, as part of the process, to meet representatives of parents.”
“On many occasions, with children presenting because of assessments even over the summer, that figure is not finalised and we are moving on almost a daily basis in terms of increases. We are left with the interim situation of an increase of about 20%, and there is an attempt by the EA, in its primary responsibility for placements, to ensure that there are sufficient places and at least a place for every child.”
“First, it is not universal across the board that there is full-time provision for special needs; it has been of a differential form. A range of measures has been taken. In some cases where there has been, for instance, provision of around two hours or two-and-a-half hours, that is actually extending to three hours. It is an issue of capacity and, in the interim arrangements and because of the pressures that are there, we are trying to ensure that there is a place for every child. This is the most crucial element, and I have to make that provision.”
“I assure Members that no long-term decision on the matter will be made prior to the completion of the review. I will continue to monitor progress to ensure that the authority delivers on what it said to me and on its commitments.”
“The authority has assured me that it will not be implementing any substantive arrangements, in terms of any review, before September 2017. <BR /> <BR />There is, however, the need for preschool places in special schools which are anticipated to increase by around 20% by September 2016. The EA has agreed to a number of interim measures to extend early years’ provision across the special school sector to meet these immediate demands. The authority has confirmed that it has engaged with the schools involved and that they are all fully aware of those plans. It advised that it is taking a careful and considered approach, with interim steps to meet the needs of children for September 2016, while planning and engaging on a longer-term approach that puts children and their needs to the forefront.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will also answer Question 11 as the two questions are related. <BR /> <BR />I met with the chair and interim chief executive of the Education Authority (EA) on 7 June to address the authority’s review. The chair informed me that, while good progress has been made on many aspects of the review, issues associated with the planning and provision of preschool places in special schools are complex and sensitive and will require very careful engagement with principals and parents. I emphasised the need for meaningful engagement with those who are directly affected. The chair has assured me that the review will involve the establishment of a professional practitioner group and a parent stakeholder group. It is anticipated that the review will take a further six months to complete.”
“I always take encouragement from the Member with great face, and I welcome that point from him. It is important that we get a resolution to the issue. It is not simply a matter that if the previous Minister did x then I have to go entirely in the opposite direction. The key element of this will be the outcome. The Member highlighted the significance of the comparability and portability of exam results which, for the individual student, will be the key test. That will be the basis on which I am seeking a resolution. I am acutely aware of the urgency and agree with the Member, which is why I have held initial discussions on that matter. There is a need to make progress very quickly and I hope that we can do so.”
“I appreciate that a lot of schools are faced with particular choices come September and it is important that, at the very least, we establish a clear direction of travel as soon as possible. I am acutely aware of the issue and have already had initial discussions with officials.”