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 understand that a meeting was held today with the EA and officials on the pressures on provision for autism in the area. My feedback from the EA is that the meeting was positive. I acknowledge that there are pressures on how that progresses in the area. I would need to get further information on it for the Member.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I will have to come back to her with the detail on that, if she is content for me to do so.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I understand that that was a long-running discussion even prior to COVID, although COVID put a focus on the issue of hunger, particularly around the holiday period. A payment scheme for the next period has been approved and signed off recently. That will again be £13·50 per child per week and will be made available on 30 June for nine weeks to all families entitled to free school meals, at a cost of about £12 million. <BR /> <BR />The issue of hunger does not fall solely within Education but is cross-departmental. I am keen to take it up with Minister Hargey from the Department for Communities.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I like to think that there will not be an underspend and that all the money can be drawn down, although there is a risk associated with part of the youth summer programme because in the region of 40% of those schemes require an overnight stay. We need to see what the Executive will agree on Thursday on that. I hope that that will not happen, but I understand that, in the event that a project or scheme does not go ahead, there are projects in reserve that should be able to use the money. I will need to get further information on whether that money can be moved to another project outside the scope of what has been agreed. That may take time and may not be of assistance.”
“While I do not have the details of that, it is additional assistance to do what the Member has suggested should be done.”
“I thank the Member for her question. This year, 453 schools have been able to avail themselves of the school summer scheme project, and I understand that £4·6 million has been committed to it. We have carried out considerable outreach to young people. I understand that somewhere in the region of 40,000 children will be able to access summer schemes through schools. That is a significant uplift from last year, when it was taken up by a very small number of schools, although the circumstances with COVID were slightly different then. <BR /> <BR />There was £5 million allocated to the EA Youth Service, which enabled support to be allocated to over 180 schemes. You will be aware that EA also runs the Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) camps.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As somebody who was a substitute teacher for a time, I absolutely agree that those teachers add value to the workforce. That question forms part of the previous question about how the review will be undertaken. If the Member is content, I would prefer to come back to him with the detail of that, rather than saying something for the sake of it.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I think that he is referring to the workforce review project, which is part of the April 2020 agreement to end the long-running teachers' industrial dispute. I understand that, from that, a number of work streams were agreed to look at improving attendance and so on. It is not anticipated that the £12 million will be realised within the next financial year. It will take some time, but I am happy to come back to the Member with more detail regarding what was said at the Committee and with anything that needs to be added to that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. My diary secretary will love me at the end of this session. I am more than happy to go on that visit with Mr Robinson and Councillor Scott.”
“Governance structures are being established to oversee the implementation of the action plan and, as was agreed by the Executive, the First Minister and deputy First Minister have undertaken to oversee the delivery of that plan. That will require a considerable Budget commitment. It is a cross-cutting Executive commitment, and I hope that the requests to fund it will be honoured.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Again, I pay tribute to my predecessor for driving forward this work but also to Dr Noel Purdy and the expert panel for their commitment to it. I am really keen to see it progress quickly, because it is an important programme of work. There are 47 actions that are spread across at least six years. My focus at the moment is on what we can achieve in the short term, and £4 million has already been set aside in this year's budget to progress the work. Officials will work with policy leads in the Department of Education, alongside other Departments and arm's-length bodies, to progress the expert panel's action plans.”
“A number of projects have come online and, I understand, have been very successful to date, including Text-a-Nurse, the EA Youth Service's resilience education assisting change to happen (REACH) programme and a well-being hub, and other projects are due to come online, such as a new CAMHS emotional well-being team in school services. There are projects there that will hopefully address some of those problems, but I am content to see whether anything further needs to be done.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The emotional health and well-being of our young people, along with our staff, is a priority and should be a priority for my Department. There have been significant challenges for school staff as they support children and young people coming through the pandemic. While I understand the Member's point about the terms of the development of the policy, he might recognise that the proposals and their implementation allow for adaptability and flexibility that we have not, perhaps, seen before in some of the projects that have been put forward by the Department. He will be aware that this has been supported by COVID well-being support finances.”
“That does not mean that there are not many others who require service. I will speak to officials to ascertain the pressures that exist and see if there is anything additional that we need to do.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Certainly, the independent counselling service for schools provides an essential support service to our young people, and I understand that there has been an increase in referrals since young people returned to on-site learning. While the demand for counselling has increased, the service overall, I think, has not been overwhelmed. That said, I understand from speaking to the Member outside the Chamber that he has a particular concern about West Belfast and has been involved in multi-agency discussions in an attempt to address that issue. I understand that, as of yesterday, 10 young people were awaiting counselling services in West Belfast, and I understand that that is progressing, although those are only the young people who have identified themselves as having need.”
“The process is designed to normalise admissions and enrolment numbers where there is evidence demonstrating an historical pattern of enrolment in excess of a school's approved number.”
“Any significant change required to a primary school, including an increase in its approved enrolment number, currently requires the publication of a development proposal (DP). The DP process is a statutory process. The Department's guidance circular 2017/09, which is available on its website, provides a comprehensive overview of the process to be followed. My Department also has the power to grant additional places to individual schools by way of a temporary variation (TV) to a school's approved admissions and enrolment numbers. TVs are granted in areas where a demographic pressure exists and are for one year only. <BR /> <BR />The Department is considering a process to approve increases to a grant-aided school's approved numbers that may not require a DP.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I will certainly take that on board and speak to officials about how that can be progressed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The major works project at Down High School is now nearing the end of the design phase. Progress has been delayed due to the need for a significant archaeological excavation on the proposed site. The scope of excavation works required has now been agreed, and work is under way. It is anticipated that the excavation works will be completed in the first half of 2022, allowing the project to proceed to tender in the financial year 2022-23, subject to detailed analysis of the findings from the dig. I understand the Member's comment that the project has been anticipated for a long time. Certainly, young people from our constituency who go to Down High School have been calling out for it for some time. It will be good to see the project moving forward.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It will not surprise her to know that I am not aware of the specific plans for St Joseph's. However, I will commit to writing to the Member with an update. If the Member feels that it would be useful for me to visit, I would be happy to agree to any request to do so.”
“The protocol used for the most recent major capital works call is available to view on the Department's website.”
“Before a new call for major capital works is announced, the protocol for the selection of major capital works will first be reviewed and, if necessary, updated on the basis of learning from the latest announcement and any new policy developments. That will be published in advance of the call to allow schools, in conjunction with their managing authorities and sectoral bodies, to consider their options and eligibility. <BR /> <BR />Once nominations are received from managing authorities, sectoral bodies and voluntary grammar schools, each application is assessed under the agreed protocol developed for each call. A list of qualifying schools, ranked in order of scoring from the protocol, is drawn up. I will decide on the number of projects to be advanced on the basis of the available budget.”
“I thank the Member for his question, and I do not disagree with what he has said. I understand that some of what he spoke of is to do with resource pressures, but I am happy to go back to officials to see what Moorfields Primary School's current status is and then come back to the Member.”
“I am meeting my officials to see how we can be better prepared so that we have shovel-ready projects when capital becomes available.”
“I am content to respond. I agree with the Member when he says that the school estate is crying out for investment and that far too many schools have outdated accommodation. In the past two weeks, I have visited quite a number of schools that went from one extreme to the other: from exemplary accommodation to accommodation that school leaders despair of. It concerns me that we still have not seen delivery of projects that have been prioritised for in excess of 10 years. It also concerns me that there is a significant backlog of minor works. We had 6,000 applications in the last call, and only around 1,300 of those have been progressed. I know that the reason for that is the number of emergency applications. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned, and I agree with what the Member said. As I said in a previous response, I plan to issue further calls.”
“I understand that the EA maintenance service will scope the changing rooms and gym hall for consideration for delivery in either financial year 2021-22 or in subsequent years, subject to capital budget availability. Larne High School was not put forward by the EA for consideration under the most recent major works call, which closed on 31 October, nor was an application made on behalf of the school submitted under the latest school enhancement programme call. <BR /> <BR />I do not have any information with me on Greenisland Primary School, but I am happy to accompany the Member on a visit, if he so wishes.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I assume that he is looking for information on Larne High School. In October 2017, there was a call for minor works applications. Two applications were made for the school, for an upgrade of boiler flues and roofing, but they did not rank highly enough. Since 2019, four business cases have been approved for minor capital works: accommodation works for special educational needs (SEN), which were completed in 2020; Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)-specific accommodation, which was completed in 2019; the refurbishment of a 2G synthetic pitch, which is due to complete RIBA stage 5 in July; and strategic investment in the school meals accommodation project, which is due to complete RIBA stage 5 in September.”
“I thank the Member for his question, which is similar to the question asked by my colleague about the anticipation of a new build when an amalgamation takes place. It is my intention to make a major capital works call before the end of the current financial year, and that may assist with that project. I am more than happy to accept his invitation to visit both schools.”
“The business case for a new build school on the existing site was approved in December 2018. That £25 million investment will provide up-to-date accommodation and sports facilities for 700 pupils. <BR /> <BR />Whilst significant capital investment is under way in the East Antrim constituency, I acknowledge that a large number of schools in the constituency require maintenance, which is funded from the resource budget. The budget for school maintenance is just one of the budgetary pressures currently faced by my Department, which allocated £20·5 million to the Education Authority for maintenance for 2021-22. This year, an estimated spend of £800,000 will be committed for planned maintenance and statutory remedial projects in schools in East Antrim.”
“A further three schools are progressing through various Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages: Abbey Community College, St Killian’s College and Islandmagee Primary School. <BR /> <BR />Over £5 million has been invested in Acorn Integrated Primary School and Belfast High School under the first school enhancement programme (SEP). A further four schools have been announced to advance in design under the second call, with a total estimated investment of £16 million. Those projects are at an early stage of planning and design. The schools are Roddensvale School, Thornfield House School, Carrickfergus Grammar School and Greenisland Primary School. Ulidia Integrated College was announced as a major capital project under the Fresh Start programme in March 2016.”
“My Department’s capital programme aims to ensure that school premises are planned, delivered and improved to support the delivery of the desired education outcomes and to provide a safe and secure environment for all users. I understand that, in the East Antrim constituency, over the last three financial years, approximately £6·3 million has been invested in minor works schemes to improve existing assets. <BR /> <BR />Under my Department’s major capital works programme, which was initiated in 2012, five schools were announced as proceeding in planning for major capital investment. With an investment of in the region of £8·7 million, two of those projects, Woodburn Primary School and Corran Integrated Primary School, have been completed.”
“<BR /> <BR />On lessons learned, experience has shown that school amalgamations are complex and require thorough and timely planning. Each amalgamation has its own set of unique circumstances, and my officials will work with individual schools to assist with the implementation. There is a circular, as there is for most things, on the website for your perusal.”
“I thank the Member for his question. A major capital investment is not announced as part of the development proposal approval process; it will follow only if the new school is successful in a future major capital call. Whilst a new school formed following an amalgamation will be well placed to receive funding for a new build in a future major capital call, there can be no guarantees that that will be the case. In the event of funding being subsequently approved, there is also no guarantee which site will be selected for the investment. That issue will be resolved following an analysis of the options in the business case prepared to seek approval for the major capital investment. Any decision to amalgamate the schools must be taken independently of the future of the school.”
“The consultation document was considered at the EA's board meeting on 24 June 2021, and approval was given to commence prepublication consultation on 13 September 2021, which will run until 15 November 2021. My Department becomes formally engaged in the process only when the development proposals have been published.”
“The Education Authority is working in partnership with representatives of three schools — Coleraine College, Dunluce School and North Coast Integrated College — on a joint proposal for non-selective post-primary provision in the Causeway area. A steering group, the Causeway project board, has been established and includes representation from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC) and Ulster University. The EA has advised that a consultation document has been prepared and considered by the boards of governors of the three schools. <BR /> <BR />The EA's strategic planning and policy committee considered the proposal and sought some points of clarification.”
“I thank the Member for her question, and I acknowledge the difficulties of the past year. Subject to the necessary approvals, I hope to launch a primary-school level counselling pilot scheme in the new academic year as one of a range of supports to be delivered through the implementation of the emotional health and well-being in education framework. That will involve all primary schools, including special schools that have a cohort of primary-school pupils. Some £5 million has been allocated to support the delivery of the project. My officials are working with the EA to progress the pilot, which includes the development of plans for an evaluation of the impacts and benefits of that support for primary-school children.”
“I welcome the Member's question, and I know that those organisations are very focused on the well-being of young people. I have worked with Include Youth in particular for a number of years, wearing other hats. I look forward to meeting those organisations to discuss the projects that they are undertaking. While there are projects that are very much school-based, others are Youth Service-based and wider, particularly those in the community. They are great tools and are an asset to the work we are trying to do.”
“I thank the Member for his question, and I appreciate the work he does, particularly with young people, in the realm of sport. I welcome the announcement by the Health Minister about a mental health strategy. My predecessor worked with the Department of Health and the Minister on the development of the emotional health and well-being framework, which has been of real value, particularly at this time when we are coming through and, hopefully, out of the COVID pandemic. <BR /> <BR />I have not met officials in that Department at this stage. As you will understand, I am still in listening and meeting modes, but I hope to meet them in the coming weeks.”
“However, the settings, as a whole, can ensure that they are well equipped to meet the needs of those who need additional support and can target them appropriately. <BR /> <BR />With regard to restrictions, each school will have the autonomy to manage the funding based on their identified needs but will be expected to use it for activities that, primarily, support the health and well-being of children and young people and staff. The EA will continue to provide supporting guidance, and further advice will be available where it is needed.”
“I thank the Member for his question. A one-off allocation will be made to all school settings based on their enrolment figures. That means that schools with an enrolment from one to 499 will receive a one-off payment of £3,250 per school; those with an enrolment of 500 to 999 will receive £7,300 per school; those with an enrolment of 1,000 to 1,499 will receive £10,000 per school; and those with an enrolment in excess of 1,500 will receive £13,000 per school. Youth Service will receive £1,250 per unit. That is considered to be the more equitable way of distributing the funding. The allocation is still per setting rather than per child, which reflects the fact that not all children and young people will require additional support.”
“<BR /> <BR />An additional £5 million has been made available for another COVID well-being fund for 2021-22, which will provide dedicated funding to address well-being pressures that have arisen as a result of the pandemic. Reflecting the approach taken last year, the funding will be distributed directly to all schools — nursery, primary, post-primary and special schools — as well as to education other than at school — EOTAS — and youth settings, which will give them flexibility in how they support the mental health and well-being of children and young people and the staff who work with them.”
“The mental health and well-being of children and young people continues to be a high priority for my Department. The recently published framework for children and young people’s emotional health and well-being in education and the accompanying implementation plan will enhance the support provided for pupils, with a focus on promotion, prevention and early intervention through an integrated approach between Education and Health. That includes a primary-school counselling pilot along with new school nursing services, multidisciplinary primary-school support, enhanced Education Authority (EA) support, and a new CAMHS emotional well-being in schools service. Work is progressing to implement those programmes, some of which have already commenced.”
“As I indicated to Mr Catney, sectoral representatives have asked for something tailored to Northern Ireland rather than a replication of what is happening elsewhere. Hence, our strategy will be slightly different and will incorporate much wider aspirations and actions for childcare services.”
“We will consider that as part of the engagement process, which is planned for the coming months. My Department continues to regularly engage with colleagues in other UK jurisdictions about their childcare offers for three- to four-year-olds to learn what has worked well and what the challenges are in the design and implementation of those offers. <BR /> <BR />In line with commitments made in New Decade, New Approach, the Department of Education will move forward with the work on the Executive's childcare strategy, but that will also include the extended, affordable, responsive and high-quality early education and care provision for families with children aged three to four. That will incorporate the established and successful preschool education programme.”
“I thank the Member for his question. From the outset, I want to say that I support the campaign to have a flexible school-starting age in exceptional circumstances. I was disappointed that the previous proposals, which were consulted on in 2014-15 by former Minister John O'Dowd, did not progress at that time. In February 2021, my predecessor announced his intention to develop proposals with specific reference to premature babies whose birthdays were late in the school year. Officials are working on policy proposals, and I hope to be in a position to go out for consultation reasonably soon. I am mindful that we are heading towards the end of the mandate and that progression may be hindered by factors that are outside my control, so I do not want to raise expectations. However, I am committed to moving this policy forward.”
“At this stage, it is quite difficult to ascertain how the strategy will pan out and what that will look like. We are committed to producing a strategy, and I am very mindful of the pressures that childcare places on families who are trying to work and have their children looked after at the same time. We have looked at a number of options, particularly those in the other UK jurisdictions, but sectoral representatives here have indicated that they are looking for something that is bespoke to Northern Ireland and tailored for it rather than a replication of current offers elsewhere. I am mindful of the issues that the Member has raised.”
“In due course, it will also require Executive agreement on a broad range of significant policy decisions, including the overall budget. <BR /> <BR />I am hopeful that a strategic insight programme to engage with key stakeholders to help to inform the development of the strategy will take place in the autumn. We are planning for that to run from October to December, subject to work on pandemic support schemes having come to an end by that time. I assure the Member of my commitment to moving that work forward. The focus is on the production of a costed strategy that enables meaningful funding decisions to be taken.”
“That was a very significant investment that required a lot of detailed work. <BR /> <BR />On 18 June, I announced two further support schemes for the childcare sector from 1 April 2021. Despite the delivery of those schemes continuing to require significant staff time, work has recommenced on the development of the childcare strategy. While we are not starting from scratch, the previous work on the strategy will need to be updated and refined, taking on board the lessons learned from the past year. The work will include the production of an up-to-date assessment of the state of the sector following the pandemic; re-engaging with key stakeholders on the objectives, priorities and key deliverables; feasibility testing, costing and prioritising options; and a public consultation.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, as this is my first appearance in the Chamber since my appointment, I hope that you will indulge me as I wish to give recognition to my predecessor, Peter Weir, and to thank him for his work during a very difficult year. <BR /> <BR />I am committed to moving forward with work on the Executive's childcare strategy as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, work on it had to be paused over the past year or so as my officials focused their efforts on providing financial support for the childcare sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. That has been essential in order to ensure the survival of many childcare providers and to underpin economic recovery. From April 2020 to March 2021, approximately £30·5 million was paid to the childcare sector through six support schemes.”
“To that end, to avoid an underspend in the coming year, the Committee supports an increased resource budget for the Department for Infrastructure to ensure that resources exist to enable it to manage its capital programme effectively. I support the motion.”