Pat Ramsey
Foyle · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“In light of the extensive reporting of the investigation, there is deep worry and concern amongst the families of staff and prisoners. Can the Minister give us an assurance that he is doing everything in his power to ensure the safety of the staff and prisoners in Maghaberry?”
“On her death, Lisa was awarded an ambassador role by the Singapore Government because of the level of donations she was able to give. Around 50 people got some form of donated organs from Lisa as a result of her untimely death.”
“I hope that, if the Bill passes, the number of transplants will seriously increase, as Jo-Anne Dobson outlined, and I have no doubt that it will. Lives will be saved. <BR /> <BR />I will take personal and political pleasure in supporting the Bill's passage to the Committee.”
“I say to the Member again that there is an opportunity for DUP members of the Health Committee to pose questions and to challenge. If they have concerns, they can raise those concerns. Like other Members, I would like to see an opportunity for the Bill, and I believe that it is a good Bill.”
“The increased awareness and discussion coming out of this is very helpful, as it will encourage and stimulate debate among the medical fraternity and clinicians. Alastair, you have been in some of the meetings where we had senior clinicians voicing their clear support in Northern Ireland for the Bill.”
“I am delighted to be able to talk in the debate today. I declare my membership of the all-party group on organ donation. <BR /> <BR />I have watched with interest over the years the political role that Jo-Anne Dobson has played in, and the passion that she has had for, elevating and promoting organ donation.”
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“I think that most of the House agrees that, alongside university places, we need to provide adequate work experience and apprenticeships for young people so that they may develop their skills and build a career in their chosen industry. The Employment and Learning Minister has brought forward very creative ideas in senior- and higher-level apprenticeships, but we cannot forget about the traditional apprenticeships that are badly needed in Northern Ireland across the board, such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and bricklayers. What does the Budget mean for those apprenticeships here? We know that the Minister was unable to commit extra funding from his Department for apprenticeships. I hope that he does not cut the budget for those vital schemes. I hope that, in the June monitoring round, he might find a role for that.”
“Those young people, and the organisations that support them, have been thrown into uncertainty through no fault of their own. <BR /> <BR />I want now to concentrate on making this region work more economically. We must ensure that we have the skilled workforce to match any job opportunities that the Executive and Assembly manage to create. The reality is that, if we cut the number of places available to young people for further study, many will not be able to study here, even if they want to, and, reluctantly, they will leave. Any reduction in places is simply strategically inconsistent with attempts to support our young people to stay here, work here and contribute to the wealth of ideas and employment opportunities available here. <BR /> <BR />Another area of concern is apprenticeships.”
“A £30·1 million pressure on the Department's budget will be managed by a reduction to universities of almost £16 million and £12 million reduction to colleges. There will be further departmental efficiencies of over £4 million. The Minister is not here, but I am starting to feel sorry for him. I have sympathy for him in trying to provide an opportunity for our young people. He makes a fairly good job of trying to do that in difficult circumstances. <BR /> <BR />The practical implications of the cuts do not bode well for students or our young people in general. Take the proposed funding slash to Pathways EMA, for example: that allowance is paid to almost 1,700 young people who are not in employment, education or training. We still have over 40,000 people in that awful NEETs category; they are nowhere at present.”
“Investment in third-level education is much higher in the other devolved regions. Investment per student in England, Wales and Scotland is much greater than it is here. <BR /> <BR />The Bill makes significant reductions in allocations to funding streams, such as education maintenance allowance (EMA) and student support, and to funding for universities and colleges. All the colleges throughout Northern Ireland play a huge role in better preparing young people who do not make it to third-level education for industry, for the job market and for job opportunities that they would not otherwise have. <BR /> <BR />The extent of the cuts have already been outlined to the Committee for Employment and Learning by the Minister and the Department.”
“<BR /> <BR />The SDLP has been extremely concerned about the impact that is already being felt as a result of budget cuts to the Department for Employment and Learning and the further impact that this Budget may have in 2015-16. Judith Cochrane, who has come back to the Chamber, made a valid point about the number of student places that we will not now be able to offer and the effect that that will have on the widening participation strategy, which has been a tremendous success over recent years, enabling people from less-well-off socio-economic areas to participate in third-level education. We are going to lose that, and the young people who may not get the required grades will be subject to selection criteria and they will fall out of the system and perhaps out of education altogether.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Second Stage of the Budget Bill. I want to comment mainly as a member of the Committee for Employment and Learning and to reflect on some of the issues that affect it. I also want to comment on some matters that are relevant to my constituency, particularly economic issues. <BR /> <BR />I want to make it very clear that the SDLP will not force a Division on the Budget Bill today. We will evaluate and scrutinise the Bill, like other parties, and we hope that the difficulties on a number of the issues can be smoothed over, particularly those that pertain to welfare reform, and that reconciliation can be found. There is absolutely no doubt that the introduction of welfare reform in Northern Ireland will have a hugely detrimental effect on communities that are already struggling.”
“Following on from Ms Cochrane's question, will the Minister acknowledge the major contribution that arts groups, community and otherwise, make across Northern Ireland in the community support that they give? Is the Minister in a frame of mind to review the existing funding arrangements for arts groups to make them more sustainable and viable going forward?”
“I welcome the Minister's response, particularly on street lighting. With regard to your bid for community transport, I think that you would want me to acknowledge the contribution that Disability Action and community transport make to the lives of disabled people and their families across Northern Ireland. Will the Minister ensure that those aspects of Disability Action and disabled people's access are also a bid in this monitoring round?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for the statement to the House, and I very warmly welcome the more determined approach in terms of the north-west gateway initiative. I want to ask the deputy First Minister about the apathy felt in the north-west and Derry and Strabane, which have the highest levels of unemployment and economic inactivity. Will the economic development of the north-west, including third level education and access to more employment opportunities, be the focus of any future deliberations?”
“Acknowledging the serious importance of urban regeneration, I ask the Minister whether he can assure the House that targeting social need will still be the priority in the allocation of that funding?”
“Further to the Member's question, is there any intent to carry out a phased introduction of development, taking in the security and educational needs of prisoners, at Magilligan?”
“Certainly, Minister, the SDLP warmly welcomes this project. Although it is at an early stage, can you outline what type of social enterprise projects are likely to succeed or be entitled to funding?”
“I acknowledge the immense contribution that the community and voluntary sector makes across Northern Ireland, particularly on welfare rights. Is there any evidence or indication of collaboration between organisations delivering projects through DSD in the community and voluntary sector?”
“Given the much higher levels of economic inactivity and higher levels of apathy and low morale in the north-west, will the Minister outline to the House when he expects to see the programme up and running and operating there?”
“I warmly welcome the statement to the House today. I thank Minister Foster and you for responding by bringing forward the strategy. I saw, from the meeting that I attended along with key stakeholders representing Derry and Strabane, the importance of a programme of this nature.”
“They see their children's futures in Catholic schools, whether they be primary or post-primary schools, or for their sons or daughters themselves to go into teacher training. Again, I make it clear that we oppose the motion and the amendment.”
“When 40% of the schools estate in Northern Ireland is Catholic faith based, that is where the parents of these children want them to go.”
“I am somewhat disappointed about some of the language that has been used, as Seán Rogers has explained. <BR /> <BR />We have a centre of excellence. This is really getting to the bottom of it about St Mary's college: it is a centre of excellence, not just for education but for culture and support in the heart of west Belfast. We have seen the student body up here — many hundreds, if not thousands, of them — celebrating those paths. I think that Members in this House should not ignore the valued work that St Mary's college does and the principle of and acceptance and respect for faith-based education, which is as important to me as my political beliefs. I believe in the protection of faith-based education, which means a lot to parents in Northern Ireland.”
“It is very clear that, over the past number of years, the Minister in question has been very determined and dogged in his approach to try to undermine and put the "for sale" sign up on St Mary's college in west Belfast. That is clear and obvious. My question to the Alliance Party is this: how many times, given its concerns around the certificate, has it asked to meet either the principal or the board of governors of St Mary's if these live concerns are there? <BR /> <BR />A shared future is not about eradicating difference; it is about celebrating diversity and accommodating beliefs and traditions that differ from our own. Inflaming difference with exaggeration and misrepresentation is a barrier to our shared future, not a qualification. That is clear and obvious.”
“I welcome the intervention. I will put the question back to him and other Members who have quoted concerns that have been raised by constituents: if those concerns are valid and live, how many times have you asked to meet the board of governors of St Mary's? How many times have you asked to meet CCMS to discuss these issues? If you are so sincere and genuine about them, you would take that to them and ask them. Pat Sheehan made the point that Peter Finn would be open to dialogue on providing the certificates that are in question here today. Shared education is key to a shared future.”
“It is a not a test of personal faith; it is a certified qualification that means that anyone can be fully trained to handle the aspects of education that are unique to Catholic education. <BR /> <BR />This motion has come at a time — Pat Sheehan made this point — when previous attempts by the Minister for Employment and Learning to effectively try to close down St Mary's teacher training college remain fresh in our minds, particularly those of us who believe that it should be protected. It is disappointing that Members who stood here literally a few weeks ago with the SDLP defending the autonomy of this excellent institution seem now to be attacking the very ethos that it nourishes and promotes. Shared education is key to a shared future. A shared future is not about eradicating difference —”
“The SDLP will defend parental choice, as it has done in previous debates. Parents know their children, their needs and how they want them to be educated. The certificate plays a key role in maintaining the Catholic ethos that so many parents across Northern Ireland want for their children. <BR /> <BR />To brand the certificate as an overall example of inequality and discrimination is a blatant and huge exaggeration, to say the least. This is not about an individual teacher's personal belief; it is about ensuring that an individual is fully qualified to teach in a Catholic school. The certificate in religious education is not a barrier but a leveller that qualifies teachers of all faiths or none to deliver the education that so many parents want.”
“The SDLP will vote against both the motion and amendment. It is a motion that many parents and teachers across Northern Ireland will see as an attack on their choice to educate children in a Catholic ethos. Teachers in nursery and primary schools that maintain a Catholic ethos have a particular responsibility to prepare pupils and young people to undertake the sacraments. <BR /> <BR />Catholic schools represent 40% of the overall school estate in Northern Ireland and employ almost 6,000 members of staff — 5,900 staff. The certificate enables teachers to carry out the requirement to prepare children for the sacraments and to do so with confidence and training. Catholic schools have provided an excellent academic education that is enveloped in faith-filled pastoral care in our society, and the certificate plays a key role in achieving that.”
“I welcome the Minister's response. For the record, I chair the all-party group on learning disability, and what triggered this question was that parents and groups representing that sector are deeply worried, because we know the facts, including that somebody with a learning disability is four times less likely to secure employment. Will the Minister give us an assurance that more skills and advisers will be available to ensure that the most vulnerable in our community will have access to those same mentoring facilities? I know that in my constituency, those in the Ardnashee special needs campus are working very thoroughly on this matter under the model of good practice.”
“I thank the Member for allowing me the intervention. The Whips' allowance that is given to the SDLP is used for the purposes of managing the team that we have in Stormont. That is what the Whips' allowance is for. In any House in these islands, it is a necessary level of money when you have teams of upwards of 30 or 20, or, in our case, 14, Members. You need specific staff delegated specifically to help the Whips to manage business in the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission, on behalf of the parties that sit on it, has taken the right decision to have direct impact on Members through the childcare allowance — a proposal that has been blatantly ignored by the independent panel — and a 3% cut to the financial assistance to parties and the Whips' allowance, which is fair and reasonable. Those were tough decisions and the meeting of the full Assembly Commission — apart from Caitríona, who could not make it — was tough. We spent upwards of four hours going through the elements of the budget to make sure that we got the round and balanced outcome we have. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the second meeting, when we were discussing the budget that had been agreed consensually at the first meeting, Caitríona Ruane did raise the issue of a 10% cut. A 10% cut in financial assistance, including to the Whips' allowance, which helps to service and manage the party teams, would have forced parties to make cutbacks in human resources. There would be no other way to do it. We looked at all the areas of funding that the Assembly Commission has, and the main one is human resources. We looked at catering, cleaning and security. We have seen a significant reduction in the amount of money that we are paying to the Northern Ireland policing service for the security that is necessary to protect Members and people who are using the Building.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is not a huge amount of money. It was initially £1,000. The Assembly Commission, in trying to get a proper balance, decided and agreed on a 25% reduction, only to find that the panel had decided to remove it entirely. That was wrong. There is no accountability. While the creation of the panel brings independence, there is no accountability with it. It increased the level of salaries to MLAs and simultaneously reduced the office allowance costs by the same amount over three years. It was never part of the panel's mandate to make cuts or savings, and it is wrong on this occasion. The SDLP will be seeking an urgent meeting with the panel to discuss that.”
“It is unfortunate that the independent panel did not accept guidance, through a letter from the Speaker, on the proposal we brought forward for the reduction in the childcare allowance to Assembly staff, and, simultaneously, we wanted to reduce the childcare allowance to Assembly Members. Sadly, that was resisted, and the panel did not think it was relevant to do that, although that was clearly what we wanted. It is unfair now: there is no equality in this House as a result of a decision — an exceptional determination — by the independent panel, which refused the guidance from the Assembly Commission but yet and all brought forward another determination about the consumables, which, as the mover of the motion, Judith Cochrane, rightly said, will have a detrimental effect on the constituency services to all MLAs.”
“Financial assistance for political parties must be regulated, transparent and open to scrutiny, and this Assembly should facilitate that, offering an accurate picture of party activities. Strict conditions for the provision of public funding to parties must be in place. The sources and spending of political parties' funds should be clear and accessible to the media and the general public. <BR /> <BR />It is important to say that the Assembly Commission had a strategy day. We spent almost half a day looking at very emotive, very sensitive and very delicate issues. Ms Caitríona Ruane did not attend that, and she may have had good reasons for not doing so. Because of the extensive discussion we had, there was, as Judith Cochrane said, a balanced budget brought forward.”
“I support the mover of the motion, Judith Cochrane, as a member of the Assembly Commission.”
“I welcome the response from the Minister, particularly the comment that 80% of schools currently open their estate to the community. One of the greatest worries for boards of governors and principals is the ongoing insurance burdens and pressures on schools. Is there anything that the Department can do to ease those pressures to enable schools to open their doors more than they do now?”
“In response to Mr Easton, the Minister referred to small grants. Will she tell the House whether that money is available to boxing clubs that want to purchase defibrillators and to help ensure that they have the capacity to manage and use them?”
“Clearly, we have to reflect at all times on not just Members' comments but those of the people, and we have to encourage and motivate others to participate in the consultation. Of the councils that I consulted with, separate to the original Member's consultation, only around six made a submission. There was either a lack of interest or another reason. <BR /> <BR />I wish the Committee well. It is an important matter. I have shared some ideas of who the Committee should consult, including community safety partnerships, the new councils and user groups across Northern Ireland. I look forward to the challenges that this presents and to the conclusion of that in October.”
“I thank the Chair for the offer of a meeting. I met the Committee staff, who briefed me on the Committee's consideration stage. I greatly appreciate that and was very content with it for going forward. Given the magnitude of this Bill in introducing 20 mph speed limits across Northern Ireland, it is important that the Committee examines thoroughly every possible avenue. Coincidentally, I also met some of the senior staff of the Department for Regional Development this morning, and I am very appreciative of that too. <BR /> <BR />I look forward to Consideration Stage and to being in the position where I can address the Committee on how we can best progress the Bill, given that its principles were unanimously agreed here when it was introduced.”
“Will the Minister consider looking at other areas across Britain where special needs statements up to 25 have been introduced? They seem to be the models of best practice.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. There was some useful information; at least some contact is being made with the groups. Will the Minister be kind enough to reflect on the whole process, given the pain, suffering, concern, anger and frustration among so many groups across Northern Ireland and the concern over not only the loss of jobs but the capacity that a lot of the groups have been able to deliver — from women's groups and youth groups to disability groups across Northern Ireland — and the fear and trepidation that they have at present?”
“We have to find a way of ensuring that the mother's, parent's or carer's voice is on the level when special educational needs are being assessed, progressed and developed. That is the only way we can make a difference with the Bill.”
“I know that this does not directly refer to the Minister of Education, but their biggest point was this: their son or daughter should have had a greater opportunity, at school age, to develop their independence and become more fit to seek employment and live on their own. That is where we need to get it better. We need to ensure that the individually tailored plans for children from age 5 are purposeful and that they concur with what the parents believe. <BR /> <BR />I believe that the parents' wishes and desires are ignored at times because specialists believe that they know better than the mother. They do not. It is very simple: they do not know better than the mother.”
“As someone who has a personal, but also political, interest in the needs of young people with disabilities and special needs, I think we have to do better, we have to be more purposeful and we cannot leave people behind. Many of those who fall into the not in education, employment or training (NEET) category have disabilities or special needs. We have to ensure that those areas of education are protected and that there is greater investment in special needs at the early years. <BR /> <BR />Health, again, is so important. In our Committee inquiry, and at my constituency office, I have witnessed the frustration, anger and tears of parents. At an event here last year, older parents of children with special needs told us, very emotionally, that they hoped their children would die before them, as they would be abandoned by the state.”
“I quote the following statistic regularly, and it is something that we have to be clear on: someone with a learning disability in Northern Ireland is four times less likely to secure employment. That is a damning indictment of our system. A lot of effective work goes on in colleges in Northern Ireland for those with learning disabilities, and yet, as I have just noted, non-accredited courses for such children leaving special needs or mainstream schools will no longer be funded. That is a matter for the Committee to take up with the Minister. <BR /> <BR />The language now used by parents is of individually tailored plans and career pathways, which will put children in the best place as they leave the education system. We have to ensure — and many Members are using the term — a platform for change to take advantage of this.”
“I concur with the Chair of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />Health is crucial, but it is clear from the inquiry that parents have identified failures at primary and post-primary level affecting the development of their children. A number of parents — and it would be good to hear the Minister's comments on this — have articulated a very strong argument for retaining the formal special educational needs statement until a young person is 25. That happens in Britain; in fact, the Committee will be visiting Manchester tomorrow to inform itself of models of good practice. <BR /> <BR />As we come to the end of the Committee inquiry, we will look to bring forward some proposals that are relevant to educational need.”
“Robin Newton referenced the smiles in special needs classes: it does anybody's heart good to visit the special needs schools across Northern Ireland, where the children are so full of joy and happiness; joy and happiness that are then brought back to the families and communities in which they live through the bond and love they have.”
“The only people who can articulate the needs of a child of five or six are the parents or carers, especially the mother; and we have to find a way of making that possible. A child's development should never be stymied because of financial considerations; they cannot be left behind. <BR /> <BR />Robin Swann, as Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee, noted earlier and correctly that we are presently hearing from the post-19 lobby. We have gone through nearly every constituency exhaustively looking at best practice.”
“In fact, they ask Assembly Members to make the intervention in order to try to secure a meeting because there is a sense, or belief, in the community, whether it is true or not, and particularly with the education and library boards under increasing pressure, that even determinations on whether a child needs a classroom assistant are being reduced because they cannot afford to do it. I am not asking the Minister to comment on that, but that is the perception amongst parents. I have attended meetings representing parents of children with special needs and we have won the case by articulating an argument. However, we have to find a method that ensures the right outcome without such representation. People said that children need to be at the centre: they have to be.”
“<BR /> <BR />I previously asked the Minister about how much collaboration has taken place with the Health Minister on the review, and I was very content with his response that he will have the fullest support. In any review of special needs, it is important that the Health Department and health trusts are involved from the early stages. We have all met the parents, and we are parents ourselves. Bringing up a child is a trial and tribulation, but there is nothing worse for a mother, in particular, to find out that her son or daughter has challenging or special needs — challenging to the extent that access to the system has to be made easier. <BR /> <BR />In recent times, Minister, a number of parents in my constituency got a formal statement and wanted to challenge it; but it is most difficult to make efforts to do that individually.”
“A child is vulnerable at an early age when it is noticed that there is something particular about that child that needs assessment, and it is important that we move away from the postcode lottery to ensure that, whether it is a speech and language issue or the need for a classroom assistant, we identify those needs and get them on the table as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />Seán Rogers identified some issues with clause 5, which is about reducing the time provided to the authority from 29 days to 22 days. That would put additional pressure on learning support coordinators. We have to examine that, and I am sure that the Minister will do so. We do not want it to be a bureaucratic paper chase for a lot of people who are working on it, particularly learning support workers.”
“All the figures have been mentioned and, when you reflect on them, they are alarming. The 67% increase in autism is most alarming. We had the Autism Bill here, but I do not believe that we are getting to a conclusion that is giving more comfort or peace of mind to many parents, because we do not have the most effective cross-departmental approach that is seen in Scotland and possibly in Wales as well. <BR /> <BR />I note the themes coming from the Department in the review of SEN, one of which is an inclusive framework that raises the standards for all. This is important. Pat Sheehan mentioned discrimination, but it is not even as much as discrimination.”
“I am not a member of the Education Committee, but I declare an interest as chair of the all-party group on learning disability and the all-party group on disability. I welcome the Minister's announcement on the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill. I believe that the Bill, if properly implemented, will make legislative changes to support the revised general educational needs and inclusion framework. I support the policy intention of the Bill, which is to ensure, as many Members have said, the early intervention, identification, assessment and provision for children who have special needs. <BR /> <BR />In order for children to achieve their full potential, they must be placed firmly at the centre, as Robin Swann said. Parents clearly have to be involved in the process, and I will come back to the parents.”
“In 1979 he became the leader of the UUP, a position he held for 16 years; he was probably one of the longest serving leaders of the Ulster Unionist Party. He led the party, as many leaders have done in Northern Ireland, through many difficult, traumatic and awful experiences. He helped his own party, guiding it through many difficult and trying times for the party as well. <BR /> <BR />Finally, on behalf of the SDLP, I offer thoughts, prayers and sympathy to his immediate family, the community he represented, his friends and his unionist colleagues who have worked alongside him for many years.”