Michelle McIlveen
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Public confidence depends not only on effective enforcement but on enforcement being exercised fairly and consistently. <BR /> <BR />There is widespread concern across Northern Ireland about the condition of many of our lakes and rivers, and there are a vast number of factors that contribute to water quality challenges.”
“Although we support the overall direction of travel, I think that is appropriate to reflect on the concerns that have been raised and ensure that the legislation is proportionate, practical and capable of delivering its intended outcomes.”
“If we are therefore serious about improving our aquatic environment, every source of pollution must be addressed. New legislative powers are meaningful only if the Department has the resources, the expertise and the personnel necessary to implement them effectively.”
“There is, however, a need for accompanying clear guidance and support and for regulatory consistency and prompt decision-making. Delays, uncertainty and excessive bureaucracy will undoubtedly discourage investment and undermine confidence in the sector.”
“Subordinate legislation should not become a substitute for proper democratic accountability. Consultation and engagement must be undertaken before regulations are introduced, and I cannot overstate the need for stakeholder engagement. <BR /> <BR />I will now talk about the Bill's proposed enforcement powers.”
“The DUP broadly welcomes the Bill. As has been said, it provides an opportunity to modernise legislation that, in some areas, has remained largely unchanged for decades. The Bill strengthens the protection of our fisheries, improves the regulatory framework for aquaculture and enhances the management of our water environment.”
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“I thank the Member for his question. I do believe that. <BR /> <BR />In all this, we particularly need to remember that the panel has come to the review with a very clear view that everything that it does will be child-centred. It is coming at the review with an independent view and looking at it through that lens. It will gather information, analyse that information and present it as evidence. There will also be wide-ranging stakeholder engagement. As I said, I hope that everyone present will show as much enthusiasm in engaging with the work of the panel and as we work forward towards delivery and the implementation of its recommendations.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, it was very much based on merit. The process was overseen by CPANI and an experienced panel. Names were put to me, and I based my decision on the recommendations that were put to me. I have confidence in the group, and I expect all stakeholders, including Mr Allister, to participate in the process.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I do not have a reserve list, but if the past 18 months have taught us anything, it is that there are opportunities to engage. Indeed, the expert panel on underachievement was able to carry out significant amounts of work virtually and to produce an excellent list of recommendations for my Department, and we were able to work through that with the support of the Committee and other Executive Members. It is not insurmountable.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I expect that, during the next 18 months, all sectors, stages, those with viewpoints and stakeholder groups will have lots of opportunity to contribute to the review. The Member will appreciate that the five panel members have various skills and competencies. At least two of the panel members have experience outside the United Kingdom and will be able to bring those perspectives to the process as well. I hope that there will be strong engagement from all sectors in education in Northern Ireland.”
“I absolutely can assure the House of that, and I have confidence in the process. While that work predated my appointment, CPANI was very much involved in advance of publishing the advertisement and through to the point when names were supplied to me. I am confident in the process and the panel.”
“Given that I would have been coming to the House just to give names because the substantial part of the process had already been discussed by the Committee and others, it did not seem to be a good use of the Chamber's time. <BR /> <BR />We are very mindful of the obligations in relation to the Irish-medium sector. The Member will be aware that the appointments were made on merit. I am confident of the impartiality of the group and the experience that its members have. Whether it is Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta or any other sector, there will be an opportunity for sectors to engage with the panel in due course.”
“I thank the Member for his question. On his initial point about there being no ministerial statement, he will be aware that Minister Weir made a statement to the House in December last year, outlining the detail of the terms of reference and the approach to recruitment that had been agreed by the Executive. Yesterday's announcement was just the first step in that process, and the panellists will likely need to familiarise themselves with the strategic context, meet stakeholders, agree priorities and so on. <BR /> <BR />In advance of the public announcement, I wrote to the Chairs of the Education Committee and the Economy Committee and to ministerial colleagues to ensure that they were informed. You will also recall that Minister Weir wrote to the Committee on 1 March detailing the process.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he will be aware, specific competencies were proposed by officials after they reviewed roles and recruitment competitions that were similar to what we agreed and announced yesterday. They felt that they should reflect the core competencies of transformational change, analysing evidence, working with stakeholders and engaging with political sensitivities. The competencies were agreed and a general approach was taken in March 2021, which the Committee was advised of at the time. I am confident that the panellists, who were appointed through the merit process, will be able to deliver on all those competencies and bring forward a very balanced report at the end of the process.”
“The panel is experienced in being fully impartial and will work in a collaborative manner with stakeholders and base the review and its recommendations on a wide range of evidence that it will gather during its work. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the panel members take time to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, who will bring much knowledge and experience of delivering education locally. I hope that all stakeholder groups engage with the panel positively and support it as it delivers this vital task. <BR /> <BR />Should anyone have any complaints regarding the process, they should direct them to the Commissioner for Public Appointments.”
“The selection process was chaired by the DE permanent secretary and included senior officials from the Department of Education and the Department for the Economy as well as an independent panel member selected by CPANI. Following the conclusion of the interview process, the selection panel provided me with information on all candidates whom they deemed to be appointable. That information came in the form of an unranked list. <BR /> <BR />I am confident that the panel has the breadth of experience and expertise necessary to undertake this very important and complex assignment. Among the panel members, there is significant experience of the design, delivery and administration of education, both in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
“The panel to undertake the independent review of education was appointed following an open public appointment process in line with the code of practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments Northern Ireland (CPANI). The process commenced in March 2021, and the candidate information booklet and methodology for appointing candidates were widely advertised. Minister Weir wrote to the Education and Economy Committees on 1 March to fully explain the process. The candidate information booklet set out the competencies on which candidates were to be assessed during a sift of anonymised written applications and at interview. <BR /> <BR />The process for selection and appointment was transparent, with a high number of applications received.”
“If a school has particular concerns about a CEV pupil or a member of staff, it should contact the EA helpline, and that can be escalated, as necessary, with the PHA. If the Member has a concern and would like it raised, I would appreciate it if she could contact my office, and I can also follow that up.”
“It is important that we remember that a CEV child is likely to have been very vulnerable to a wide range of threats, including flu, over many years and that schools that have been working alongside them are very much alert to that. They work with not only the child but the family to put in place arrangements to manage the specific risks to those children. That was the case even before COVID came into existence. The management of COVID for those pupils is very similar to that approach, and it is about trying to minimise the risks for them. Additional measures are being put in place, such as CEV pupils over the age of 12 being eligible for a vaccine, the use of face coverings in post-primary settings and asymptomatic testing being available for staff, post-primary pupils and special-school pupils.”
“I thank the Member for her question, in particular in relation to children who are extremely vulnerable. She may recall that, on 9 September, a letter from the Chief Medical Officer explained that schools were a safe place for children and staff. He outlined that the evidence showed that the vast majority of those who were identified as close contacts did not go on to develop COVID. However, the basis of the Executive policy is that, in most cases, clinically extremely vulnerable pupils should be able to continue to attend school.”
“If the Member is content, I will write to him with information. Given that my same colleague visited quite recently, he may not need a ministerial visit.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Many Members could point to schools in their constituencies that are in need of an upgrade or replacement. I do not have the details of the school that he mentioned, although my colleague to my left might be able to whisper into my ear.”
“While I hope to announce a further list of capital projects before the end of the mandate, it really will be only a drop in the ocean of what is required to bring the estate up to standard. All children and young people, along with the dedicated staff who nurture and educate them, deserve to be in facilities that are fit for purpose. I will continue conversations with my officials to try to achieve that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that, over the past few months, I have made that a priority as much as I can around a broad range of schools. I am concerned about the disparity of provision across the schools estate. <BR /> <BR />I recently met my officials and representatives from the EA to discuss minor works, maintenance, the school enhancement programme and major capital projects. The Member will be aware, having been in attendance at many finance debates in the House, that money is clearly an issue and will continue to be so. While capital is probably more readily available to the Executive, resource is also required to carry out those projects. <BR /> <BR />I am more than happy to put together a substantial bid if the Member's colleagues are willing to support it.”
“The Department also supported the implementation of summer provisions across schools by providing funding of £4·5 million. That enabled an enhanced programme of summer activities right across special schools. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware of my recent announcement for £16 million to assist with COVID-19 and to increase educational standards. That is to give support for learning and engagement. Last week, we launched an £800,000 fund for special schools to support outdoor space for play and learning.”
“<BR /> <BR />The framework that was launched in February 2021 for emotional health and well-being provides for a range of support programmes, including funding of £5 million for a new pilot of a primary school counselling service, which will be launched shortly, and an additional £5 million well-being fund being made available for distribution across schools. Some £850,000 was also made available to special schools during the 2020-21 academic year to support the delivery of the Engage programme, and special schools were also incorporated into the Engage II programme, which was launched on 6 September.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He makes a valid point about SEN children. Cross-departmental actions for vulnerable children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic were drafted in September 2020, of which, of course, the Member will be aware. The jointly agreed definition of "vulnerable" in the actions included children and young people with special educational needs. I recognise that the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on children and young people with SEN and on their emotional health and well-being. That has to be and remains a priority for my Department.”
“In preparation for the draft regulations becoming law, my Department is working closely with colleagues in the EA, the Department of Health and the Department of Justice on the appropriate time to commence each provision. Careful sequencing is needed to ensure that the appropriate resources and procedures are in place, alongside the training of appropriate staff and boards of governors.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Following an appearance at the Education Committee on 23 June, officials have continued to collate and consider the changes to the draft SEN regulations and the associated code of practice that the consultation responses suggested. Based on the consultation responses, a number of suggested amendments and refinements have been compiled for inclusion in the finalised regulations, and they will also be reflected in the associated code of practice. The Department is engaged with the Departmental Solicitor's Office with a view to agreeing a final set of regulations that can be brought to the Education Committee and the Assembly for consideration in the autumn.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Obviously, I do not share her views. The recommendations of 'A Fair Start', which were published as a consequence of the expert panel's recognition of the importance of early intervention in our education system, are being taken forward by my Department. Considerable work is being done on that. A sum of £4 million has been set aside, and we are working through to spend that. I do not recognise the issue to which the Member refers.”
“I thank the Member for her question. At this point, no dates have been agreed for a meeting. I will address that in due course. I refer the Member to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson's speech. I hope that the concerns that he raised will be addressed in advance of any decisions being made on NSMC attendance.”
“I very much appreciate the comments that the Member has made. I reiterate that he should express those views explicitly to the EA. I cannot get involved in expressing an opinion, as the matter is likely to come to my desk, but, if it is of help, I am happy to meet those who have concerns about the project.”
“I recommend to the Member that it is really important that he express his views and, I guess, the views of many of his constituents to the EA in advance of the development proposals being published.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I understand that the proposal has come out of two years' discussion among the boards of governors of the three schools. Those discussions have included the EA, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC), as well as Ulster University, which, I understand, wants it to be a flagship project for a university school. The vision for the new school is to have it on the Coleraine campus. <BR /> <BR />The Member will understand that, at this stage, it is a pre-publication consultation. The Department therefore does not get involved until the development proposal is published.”
“I am not really that familiar with the detail of schools in that particular area, but I am happy to come back to the Member in writing, if he is happy with that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he will be aware, Bangor Central Integrated Primary School has been selected for a major capital investment project to improve or replace its existing accommodation. My Department approved the business case in July 2020, and it identified the preferred option of a new build on a new site on Balloo Road in Bangor. In July 2020, the Education Authority appointed an integrated consultant team, and the early stages of design are now progressing well, with good engagement among all stakeholders. The current programme anticipates construction on-site commencing in spring 2023, with completion expected by summer 2025. As the Member will understand, the project will be regularly reviewed as it develops.”
“It is anticipated that the construction work will commence in summer 2023, with the school moving to its new Redburn site in summer 2025. That will be dependent on achieving the relevant statutory approvals, however.”
“The Department of Finance has approved a business case for a new-build school and associated external works at a site at Redburn, Holywood. That new building will accommodate the school's approved enrolment of 600 pupils and enhance the provision of integrated education in Holywood, east Belfast and north Down. In February 2020, the Education Authority appointed an integrated consultant team to complete the design and oversee the development of the new provision for Priory Integrated College. The project is at RIBA design stage 2.”
“The Holywood multi-schools project is not currently within the Department's major capital investment programme of announced schemes. The only major capital project for a controlled school in the Holywood area is for Priory Integrated College, which was announced by Theresa Villiers, then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on 23 March 2016 as part of the Fresh Start programme. Any project to be taken forward needs to be included in a future capital announcement. I intend to make an announcement for a major works call by the end of the financial year.”
“Obviously, the Member is reiterating genuine concerns that have been articulated to her, and to me, by those who are feeling vulnerable. The situation has changed slightly with regard to the uptake in vaccination. I would like to think that those who have been able to avail themselves of it will do so. With regard to the data, the conversations that we have had with the Department of Health and the Chief Medical Officer suggest that schools are a safe place to be and that the PHA is working on the close contacts. That is very much being led by the PHA and its expertise and data. I will reiterate what has been said here to the Chief Medical Officer when I see him. That will be part of a conversation that we have tomorrow at the Committee.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have been given assurances by Minister Swann and the Chief Medical Officer that the PHA has the capacity to carry out the role that it has undertaken. The Chief Medical Officer will be attending tomorrow's Committee meeting. My officials keep in regular contact with the Health Department on this issue, and I am more than happy to continue to press them on capacity.”
“I thank the Member for his question. If what he has said is the case, it concerns me. I will raise the issue with the PHA, as I will the other issues that have been raised with me regarding the PHA. I am happy to write to the Member with the information that he has asked for on those who have tested positive.”
“As we know, too many children have been identified as close contacts already this year. It is right that we have taken the action that we have done to allow children to stay in school.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Attendance data for the week commencing 13 September showed 1% of the total pupil sessions being recorded as pupils self-isolating having been identified as a close contact of a positive case. This is a significant reduction from the corresponding figure of 2·7% of sessions in the week commencing 6 September. The more targeted approach to contact tracing that is now being used by the Public Health Agency has enabled a significant reduction in the number of school days being missed through self-isolation as a close contact. The Chief Medical Officer explained in his open letter that only a very small proportion of close contacts go on to test positive and, therefore, it was the correct approach to move to more closely targeted close contacts.”
“However, I also want to be an optimist. I hope that these plans will not be used and that, if they are, they will be used only as a last resort. I want to give confidence to the Member that contingency planning is taking place.”
“Teachers are now skilled in this in a way that they were not at the start of the pandemic. The Member will also be aware of the announcement made by my predecessor in May on public examinations and the reduced content of those. Contingency plans are being developed by CCEA for awarding qualifications if required. These arrangements will be based largely on the professional judgement process that was deployed last year and will obviously be refined to take account of lessons learned through that process. As we have heard, the transfer test will be very much a matter for the providers and the member schools, taking cognisance of public health advice at the time. <BR /> <BR />I have to be a realist, and I am. I recognise that the pandemic is very much a fluid situation, and contingency planning is taking place.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I take a little bit of issue with the inference that school leaders have not been supported and that there are not any plans in place if the situation deteriorates. My priority is very much to ensure that our young people remain in school, not only for educational purposes but for their mental health and their well-being. As the Member knows, school is a refuge for some of those pupils. It is imperative that we recognise that this is an issue. I believe that disruption should be somewhat reduced for many by the role that the PHA is now playing, particularly in relation to contact tracing. <BR /> <BR />Experience over the past 18 months has meant that blended learning and remote learning practices are now well established.”
“Outside of that, you will also know that schools are being very creative in utilising outdoor space in a way that they have not been able to do and have not done before. Many have used the money from the well-being fund to repurpose areas. Last week, I launched an £800,000 fund for special schools, which very much focuses on outdoor play.”
“They will then assess the situation and agree an action with the school aimed at undertaking work to fix, where possible, issues identified. It is considered that that approach permits an assessment of the issue on a case-by-case basis, with remedial action being planned and implemented as necessary. That is being taken forward by qualified professionals. <BR /> <BR />For the Member's information, of the 1,600 calls to the EA maintenance help desk since 1 March last year, to date, only 33 have related to ventilation requirements, and those have, I understand, been addressed. My officials will obviously keep working very closely with professional colleagues in the EA to keep that under review.”
“I thank the Member for her question on the issue of ventilation, which is very topical. We have been trying to roll out education on that in the schools. It is not just a matter of opening windows; there are other aspects to it as well. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of the approach being adopted in other jurisdictions with the wider roll-out of carbon dioxide monitors in schools. My officials have worked closely with professional colleagues in the Education Authority, and the current advice being provided to schools is based on that work. While the updated advice continues to encourage schools to do what they can to improve ventilation locally by opening windows and doors where possible, if there are any specific concerns about ventilation, the school should call the EA maintenance officer.”
“<BR /> <BR />As regards the changeover and the intervention of the PHA nearly two weeks ago, that has led to an easing of the burden, to a certain degree, on school leaders, although it has not come without its difficulties, because they have had to explain to parents the very different approach that the PHA is now taking to close contacts. I was aware of that, and I was concerned about it. The Member may be aware that this afternoon sees the start of a number of webinars to discuss that directly with teachers and school leaders. The CMO will be present at those webinars. I hope that communication will be much clearer as a consequence of that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that there will be some uncertainty, given where we were in the first week with schools being very much hands-on in contact tracing. In response to that, the Department put some measures in place towards the end of that week. Things escalated over that weekend, and, as a consequence, I engaged directly with the Department of Health, the Minister and the Chief Medical Officer in order to try to find a solution, because I was aware that many school leaders were under significant pressure, and that was on top of starting a brand-new school year and the challenges that naturally come with that.”
“On minimising the impact of COVID, among other initiatives, I recently launched the Engage II programme. The programme will invest over £16 million to help to limit any long-term impact on educational standards by providing support for pupils' learning and engagement. It will also support pupils' social, emotional and mental health and well-being. Should there be further unavoidable COVID disruptions, which I hope will not be necessary, there are plans in place in areas such as examinations and post-primary transfer that build upon the work done in those areas during the last academic year.”
“While, in some cases, the PHA may identify no close contacts in a school, I support the more targeted approach taken by its experienced contact tracing staff, following expert public health advice. That reflects the evidence referenced by the CMO and will help to ensure that pupils are not asked to self-isolate unnecessarily.”
“The Health Minister and I therefore agreed that the Public Health Agency would undertake all contact tracing, with schools no longer having significant involvement. The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) endorsed that approach in his letter of last week that explained why schools are safe. He stated that the vast majority of pupil close contacts did not go on to develop COVID and that teachers are not at an increased risk of hospitalisation or death in comparison with comparable adults. <BR /> <BR />The PHA has narrowed its definition of a school close contact because of the evidence that children are at a low risk of severe disease and because all staff and some pupils will have been offered a vaccine.”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />We have all seen how disruptive it is for pupils to be prevented from accessing classroom-based learning. The Executive have aimed in their decisions to balance the low risks to pupils' health with the harm to children caused by disruption to their education. A range of mitigating measures remain in place to keep pupils safe, including regular asymptomatic testing, the offer of a vaccine to staff and now to pupils over 12, the use of face coverings by post-primary pupils in schools and on transport and encouraging ventilation of classrooms wherever possible. <BR /> <BR />At the start of the term, too many pupils were asked to self-isolate and school resources were stretched in supporting contact tracing.”