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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“The group of 50 principals that I met in Ballymena last week and principals in my own constituency of Strangford and right across the Province are all saying the same thing. Many schools have contacted me to express their concern about the chaos that would result for them if the draft budget were implemented in its current form. The draft budget is an attack on the education service because it is an attack on the classroom. <BR /> <BR />Some have suggested to me that this is the Minister simply playing politics and creating mayhem and uproar in the system so that he has the possibility of getting more money in the final settlement.”
“The Sinn Féin amendment appears to abrogate that responsibility and place it within the remit of the Executive. That does not appear to be a ringing endorsement of its Minister, but perhaps it has a point. The draft budget for education has demonstrated that the Minister has failed to discharge his responsibilities, because he has broken a number of fundamental rules in its construction. He has produced a draft budget that has caused maximum concern in the school system. <BR /> <BR />Like most Members, over the last month I have been inundated with letters from schools regarding the implications for them of the current proposals. Over the past number of weeks, I have met principals throughout Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, parties were involved in detailed discussions prior to Christmas, and, as the Finance Minister said in the take-note debate yesterday, the Stormont House Agreement, together with additional moneys from the Chancellor's autumn statement and whatever other flexibilities can be found, will create some flexibility in funding available to the Executive in the discussions about the final Budget. <BR /> <BR />As Chair of the Education Committee, of course I would like to see more money going towards the education budget, but I am also mindful of the competing interests from other Departments, particularly DEL. It is important to acknowledge today that, irrespective of the shape of the final settlement that education receives, responsibility for the allocation of that budget remains with the Minister.”
“There has been widespread concern and dismay felt by many in the education community, particularly our schools, at the Minister's draft budget. We face a challenging financial environment, and that will continue over the next few years. That was clearly articulated by my party colleague the Finance Minister on 3 November 2014, when he presented the Executive's draft Budget to the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />I do not propose to rehearse that debate, but, suffice it to say, the Assembly faces significant financial challenges. This debate is about asking the Education Minister to think innovatively about his budget to ensure that the classroom is the primary beneficiary of those moneys.”
“— being spent in the best interests of our children and young people.”
“It has been shown that when education budgets are placed in the hands of schools, they have been spent more effectively and efficiently. We want to see that freedom of management rolled across schools. That way, we can see the majority of the education budget —”
“Time is limited today, and I will expand on that in tomorrow's debate on the issue.”
“There is a fundamental need to protect the classroom, and I believe that there are ways in which the Department can ensure that finances are directed there.”
“To ensure that that happens, all relevant information must be made available to stakeholders and the Education Committee in a manner that allows analysis and time for consideration and amendment. <BR /> <BR />I would just like to add a few words as a DUP MLA. One of the fundamental problems that run through what I have said up to this point is that the school timetable runs across two financial years. Timetables have been set and funds have been allocated. Cuts to the classroom at this time pull the rug from beneath principals and undermine the teaching of the children. The stress that that has placed on principals in managing budgets, concern about classroom provision and managing staff morale is incredible. I am deeply concerned about how that has been handled and by the comments of departmental officials.”
“The increase in employer contributions may consume a sizeable proportion of the £133 million central fund. No information has been provided to the Committee on that subject as yet, nor on the recurrent costs associated with employers' contributions in future years. <BR /> <BR />Those examples illustrate the very unsatisfactory nature of the information provided by the Department of Education to the Committee on critical policy and financial matters, and the difficulty that the Committee has had in undertaking its scrutiny function. <BR /> <BR />This was always going to be a difficult Budget. It represents a sea change in education in Northern Ireland, and the required hard decisions should be made in a transparent manner. They should be sensible and defendable, and should protect front-line services where possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Education Department was quite circumspect about the funding of third-party organisations. Officials highlighted cuts to departmental administrative spending of 9%, but did not appear to mention what I understand to be considerably larger cuts to third-party and sectoral organisations. The draft Budget includes references to efficiency improvements for school catering, yet, incredibly, it does not reference the relevant PEDU reports. Given the size of the challenge facing the Education Department, it was also surprising that there was no reference to the change fund or European Investment Bank projects. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I would like to talk about pensions. The Northern Ireland teachers' pension scheme has significant liabilities. Those liabilities are to be revalued.”
“<BR /> <BR />On the funding of policies, initiatives and other organisations, the Committee struggled to fulfil its scrutiny role, given the lack of supporting information. Again, that is extremely unsatisfactory. The Committee noted the apparent lack of a strategic approach. For example, the Education Department proposes to decrease special educational needs capacity development for teachers while at the same time increasing support for SEN services. The Committee would naturally support the latter, given, for example, the 67% increase in the number of schoolchildren diagnosed with autism in the last five years. With that in mind, the former makes no sense at all and appears to be counterintuitive. Hard decisions are required on budgets, but common sense, consistency and fairness are also required.”
“It is simply not possible for any large organisation, private or public, to achieve a 5% reduction in its workforce within that timescale. When consideration is given to the chaos that such a measure would create in schools, particularly around time-scaling and existing course commitments, compounded by the difficulties that the Education Department experienced when it was managing a much smaller number of redundancies in 2014, it seems highly unlikely that that was ever a serious proposal. <BR /> <BR />It is unclear why the Department adopted that strategy and made those pronouncements. I can only speculate as to what it hoped to achieve and what officials thought the impact on teachers' morale would be. The Committee is very dissatisfied with that critical aspect of the draft Budget process.”
“As with previous changes to the common funding scheme, the Committee has been denied the information that would permit it to consider the aggregate impact of the budget proposals by sector. It is also not completely clear whether all of the £78·7 million cut in schools funding will be met through reductions in the age-weighted pupil unit. The Committee has therefore sought assurance that the 2015-16 Budget will not be used to provide cover for further amendment of the common funding scheme, with unknown consequences for sectors and rural communities. <BR /> <BR />Secondly in relation to jobs, in oral but not written evidence, officials referenced a cut in the number of jobs by 2,500 — 1,000 teaching and 1,500 non-teaching. It was suggested that an attempt should be made to complete the bulk of the necessary redundancies by 1 April 2015.”
“For a start, the Education Department seems to be proposing the "baselining" of additions made to the common funding scheme earlier in 2014 of £10 million for targeting social need plus £15·8 million plus other small sums previously identified as transitional funding. The Department then proposes to increase targeting social need by another £10 million while reducing the aggregated schools budget by £78·7 million. <BR /> <BR />When all of this is added up, it may appear to amount to a small change to an overall budget of about £1 billion for schools, however this masks the individual impacts on schools, some of which calculate the reduction in their budgets to be in hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
“I will begin with a few remarks on behalf of the Education Committee. I am aware, of course, that this is a draft Budget and is likely to be subject to some change. The Education Committee is disappointed by the very limited information provided for scrutiny of the Department of Education's draft budget and the highly compressed timescale for consideration of what is a challenging draft budget. I also want to acknowledge the very large number of letters and petitions. Over 1,700 individual items were received by the Committee on the draft budget within the last two weeks. <BR /> <BR />There are four areas that I wish to highlight. The first is schools. This is a complex picture.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Certainly, constituents in my area have benefited from the scheme, which has made a real difference to their lives. Will the Minister give consideration to extending it beyond March 2015, when the current funding will end?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I would like to thank the First Minister for his response. Further to that, what does he say to those who oppose corporation tax, on the basis that it breaks up the fiscal union, and do not believe that the Executive has the competence to deal with those increased powers?”
“<BR /> <BR />Having seen how Glasgow, Melbourne, Delhi, Manchester and others have been able to market themselves on a world stage, I would hope that a successful bid and event for the youth games could serve as a launch pad for a future Commonwealth Games bid by Northern Ireland. We have a proud and rich sporting history, and it is not outside the realms of possibility that the second largest multisport event in the world could take place on these shores. I look forward to the rest of the debate, and I hope that I can get the support of the House.”
“The next step would be for the Executive to work with the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council to develop a strong, persuasive bid. The 2021 bid must be submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation before the host is determined at the general assembly in Auckland during August 2015. <BR /> <BR />Since initially writing to the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee in the summer and subsequently meeting the NICGC to discuss the proposal, I understand that NICGC has had positive meetings with senior officials from the Minister's Department, as well with as a representative from the major events bid group. I believe that there are encouraging signs from the group. Any business case, however, will need to be finalised and approved by late spring. That is undoubtedly a tight timescale, and I really hope that it can be met.”
“It is vital that out team be supported if we are serious about bidding for the games. We cannot logically expect other countries to support our bid if we are not seen to be playing a full part in other games. It is also important in development terms. If we want to grow as a sporting nation, we need to be taking part across a range of sports. I urge the Minister to do what she can to assist the NICGC as it seeks to secure the necessary financial assistance. <BR /> <BR />I believe that a successful bid for the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games is achievable, but it needs our support. The first step, I feel, would be a very clear message being sent from the Assembly of our unequivocal desire to see the Commonwealth Youth Games come here.”
“However, the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council has not yet been provided with an opportunity to discuss future funding with Sport NI, and I am concerned that funding for that organisation will cease in March 2015.”
“You need only look at the effect that a partisan crowd had on home athletes in the London Olympics and Glasgow Commonwealth Games to see the fabulous boost that it would be for our local participants. <BR /> <BR />In advance of the bid, it will be necessary as a country to show our commitment to the Commonwealth Youth Games, so we should endeavour to send as strong a team as possible to Samoa and St Lucia. I encourage the Minister to engage positively with the Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games Council and to provide what assistance and support her Department can. I understand that participation in Samoa next year for approximately 17 competitors and 13 coaches and support staff will cost in the region of £70,000.”
“<BR /> <BR />This is a tiny investment when one considers the potential positive benefits that Northern Ireland in general, and our sporting fraternity more specifically, can derive from holding such an event. Children in primary school today will be the athletes competing in these games. Imagine having a home games to aim for in seven years' time and the boost that that could give aspiring athletes in the next few years. Imagine the encouragement given to local sports organisations to become involved not only in the training of local competitors but in the organisation of a local games in the knowledge that they have the full support of Northern Ireland behind them.”
“<BR /> <BR />To house the athletes, officials and supporters, we now have a great range of hotels, student accommodation at Queen's Elms and the proposed University of Ulster accommodation in the city centre. The cost to the Isle of Man of hosting the event was in the region of £1·7 million, and I understand that the expected expenditure to host the Games in Northern Ireland would be in the region of £3 million to £4 million. Considering that £13·8 million was spent on the World Police and Fire Games and over £4 million on the start of the Giro d'Italia, that represents reasonably good value for money for a week-long series of events.”
“All are selected by the host city, except athletics and swimming, which are compulsory. The other sports must be chosen from those recognised by the Commonwealth Games Federation. The sports chosen by Samoa include boxing, lawn bowls, archery, rugby sevens, squash, tennis and weightlifting. The Isle of Man's programme included badminton, boxing, gymnastics, rugby sevens and cycling. <BR /> <BR />Consider some of the infrastructure that we will have in place by 2021. Northern Ireland will have some fantastic venues, including Ravenhill, Windsor Park, Bangor Aurora, Queen's Sport Upper Malone, the National Badminton Centre in Lisburn, the Odyssey complex and the Mary Peters athletics track, to name just a few. We are in excellent shape to produce an amazing bid.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have seen how well we can accommodate not only athletes and officials but spectators and supporters. I believe that Northern Ireland is more than capable of developing a successful bid and delivering an amazing games experience. Events such as those that I mentioned, as well as the Commonwealth Youth Games, serve as an invaluable vehicle to promote Northern Ireland internationally. I am proud to say that, as a nation, we have a tremendous amount to offer, and it is essential that we market ourselves effectively by showing off what is positive, which is an incredible amount. <BR /> <BR />What is required to bid for and host such an event? A Commonwealth Youth Games programme must consist of a minimum of six and maximum of eight sports, with no more than two of those permitted to be team sports.”
“There is not only a history but a clear intention to encourage the smaller nations of the Commonwealth to play host to the youth games, and I want Northern Ireland to bid for and host the 2021 Commonwealth Youth Games. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has shown that it is more than able to deliver world-class events on the global stage. In recent years, we successfully played host to international events such as the MTV European Music Awards in 2011, the Irish Open golf championship in 2012, the World Police and Fire Games last year, the Carl Frampton world title fight and the Big Start of the Giro d'Italia this year. In future years, we can look forward to the Irish Open returning in 2015 and 2017, with the prospect of the Open Championship returning to Royal Portrush, perhaps as early as 2019.”
“That is a fantastic return for such small nation and a tribute to the athletes, their families, the coaches and the officials involved. <BR /> <BR />Evidence shows that the youth games can act as a springboard for future sporting success. Jessica Ennis competed in the 100 metres and high-jump events in the 2004 games, and Kirani James, the reigning 400 metres Olympic champion won gold in 2008. Our own boxers, such as Michael Conlon and Joe Fitzpatrick have tasted success at the youth games. It presents an incredible opportunity to witness the development and nurturing of the next generation of global superstars. The next two cycles will see Samoa play host next year, and St Lucia in 2017.”
“I am delighted to move the motion. Northern Ireland has a proud history of involvement with the Commonwealth Youth Games. The games are a multi-sports event for participants between the ages of 14 and 18. The youth games were first held in 2000 in Edinburgh, and they attracted 773 athletes from 15 countries, competing in 112 events across eight sports. The most recent Commonwealth Youth Games was held in the Isle of Man in 2011, and it saw 804 competitors from 62 participating countries. Pune in India played host in 2008 to 1,220 competitors from 71 countries; and Perth in Australia witnessed 980 participants from 63 countries. It has developed into a fantastic global occasion. <BR /> <BR />Team Northern Ireland has played its part with a total of 23 medals won across the four youth games that have been held.”
“I thank the Minister for his response and congratulate him and his predecessor, who happens to be sitting beside me, on the work of the Department in achieving those results. Further to his answer, can he explain what impact that has had on reducing the outstanding debt balance?”
“Just to clarify, the Committee did not give permission for accelerated passage. The House gave permission for accelerated passage.”
“I am pleased that the record shows the work that my party has put into the legislation. I thank those from across the Chamber whose hard work and advocacy have helped to mould the legislation into something that I sincerely hope will benefit all our children. I look forward to seeing the detail of many of the programmes for change and to working through that in Committee. <BR /> <BR />As I said in an earlier debate, we are committed to working for a single education system that celebrates diversity and promotes cohesion. The authority created by this legislation is a significant and important step towards that goal.”
“The legislation recognises that an interim chief executive needs to be appointed to allow for the initial establishment of the authority, but it ensures that the authority will appoint the first and subsequent permanent chief executives. That is important for the integrity of the authority in the eyes of the public. It is satisfying to note that, despite attempts to the contrary, no sector is being given priority over any other in the workings of the authority. It is hoped that allowing a more level playing field will create an environment in which we will deliver the best for our children. <BR /> <BR />As I read over the Hansard reports of the debates on the legislation, it was interesting to note those who delivered, those who were recognised for delivering and those who merely claimed that they had delivered.”
“When considering the arguments on whether such representatives should be on the authority, it needs to be borne in mind that grammar schools educate one third of our post-primary children, the transferors do not represent the controlled grammars and the smaller sectors of integrated and Irish-medium education educate another 8% of our children. <BR /> <BR />The recruitment of a chief executive was a key concern. It was important that the Bill reflected the need for that recruitment to be fair and open and not a coronation. It was also necessary to ensure that the authority's role in that recruitment was protected.”
“I look forward to that coming before the Education Committee, which is working on an inquiry into shared and integrated education. <BR /> <BR />It is also extremely pleasing to see the cross-party support that was achieved to permit voices from other sectors on to the board. For shared education to truly come into being through the new authority, those voices need to be part of the conversation. That is also the case in making wider community use of our school estate. Those voices would not have been adequately represented by any other grouping on the authority.”
“Again, that is something that my party advocated as far back as 2002. As it was a merger of the five boards, it was important for us that we kept to the spirit of the 1986 Order. Despite some criticism, we as a party have done that. <BR /> <BR />I am delighted that the principle of shared education underpins the working of the legislation, and I am happy to have supported Mr McCallister's amendment on that in the knowledge that legislation on the matter is in the pipeline. My party strongly advocates that principle as part of my party leader's vision for the future of education in Northern Ireland. It is important that the Minister moves swiftly to legislate on shared education in order that the new Education Authority can commence its work on it.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the Final Stage of the Education Bill. The reform of the administration of education has been many years in the coming. This is the third time since 2007 that a Bill has come before the Assembly for consideration, and whether it is third time lucky remains to be seen. However, we have seen significant strides forward for the controlled sector. At long last, the largest education sector will have a representative body that will place it on a more equal footing with the maintained, integrated and Irish-medium sectors. That is something that my party has fought long and hard for throughout the Education Bill's various incarnations, and we are delighted that this is coming to fruition. <BR /> <BR />We are also seeing the merger of the five education and library boards instead of an ESA.”
“The Bill begins that process, and the inclusion of the amendment would ensure that everyone has an opportunity to play their part in shaping an education fit for the 21st century. We will also support amendment Nos 5, 6 and 18.”
“We need to see education moving forward, and that is best done by ensuring that all sectoral interests are included within the tent. For too long, we have had an unequal playing field in education, with some interests playing both inside and outside that tent. The Bill, with amendment No 11, will not stop that behaviour in the short term, but, with the establishment of the new authority with all of the interests included, there is an onus on all the partners to set aside their differences and begin to work in the interests of all the children and young people of Northern Ireland. Anything less than that will be a disservice to those young people and those they serve. As a party, we are committed to working for a single education system that celebrates diversity and promotes cohesion.”
“My party sought all-party support for the motion, and, as Members can see, it has cross-party support in the House. It is hoped that others who felt unable to sign the motion will, nevertheless, give it their backing at the end of the debate. It is also worth noting that, should we receive that support, we are content that amendment Nos 9 and 10 also pass. The reason for that is that, throughout the passage of the Bill, we have consistently sought to ensure that the spirit of the 1986 Order is protected in the process. Amendment Nos 9 and 10, which increase the trustee representation on the authority, are still in the spirit of the 1986 Order. <BR /> <BR />As a party, we have attempted to provide leadership on the issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />The amendment proposes that the Department appoint individuals to the four community interest seats on the authority following consultation with the bodies that represent the integrated, voluntary grammar, Irish-medium and controlled grammar interests. The first three interests were mentioned by all the other parties during the previous debate. The controlled grammar is included because, although it will now be part of the controlled new sectoral body, it is the transferors who are represented on the new authority, and, as Members know, the transferors have never had any representation or responsibility for controlled grammar schools.”
“While, in the end, they did not sign the amendment, I am delighted that the SDLP whip has indicated to us that his party will be supporting the amendment. I would also like to thank John McCallister, Trevor Lunn and Steven Agnew for recognising immediately the value of what we were seeking to achieve through the amendment. <BR /> <BR />At a time when there is criticism of the parties at Stormont, this amendment is an example of how cross-party agreement can be obtained for the benefit of education as a whole. Mr Kinahan will recognise too that all parties involved have shown their willingness to step away from representing narrow sectoral interests to consider the needs of education across the sectors. That, in my view, represents a major step in the right direction.”
“We have engaged positively with all sectoral interests and various parties in the House in an attempt to resolve any perceived feelings of exclusion and achieve a consensus on how best to include those interests while maintaining the integrity of the Bill. We believe that amendment No 11 achieves that purpose. <BR /> <BR />The amendment rose out of a conversation that my party had with Seán Rogers of the SDLP, as we sought to ensure that the authority was able to represent all sectors in a way that ensured that the authority remained balanced. Seán is unwell at present and cannot be here today, but I would like to pay tribute to him for the assistance that he gave us in this matter. I would like to send him my best wishes and wish him a speedy recovery.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I also pointed out in the previous debate, equality for all in the Bill and the integrity of the 1986 Order have been twin pillars upon which our consideration of the current legislation has been built. However, we recognise that there is a need to ensure that all the various interests are involved in the strategic management of the new authority. That would mean that continued reform and improvement of our education system in the interests of children and young people will have the support of all. That support is crucial if we are to equip our young people with the attitude, skills and knowledge to enable them to be effective contributors in the twenty-first-century global economy. <BR /> <BR />Consequently, we have sought to provide leadership on this issue since the passing of the Consideration Stage of the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />Our approach has also ensured the continuation of a choice of schools in a pluralist system of provision, as well as beginning the process of ensuring that there is fair treatment for all sectors. In the previous debate at Consideration Stage, there was much discussion about the need for all the sectoral interests being represented in the new authority. Most of the amendments tabled at that stage attempted to deal with the issue by increasing the size of the board. Whilst we were not unsympathetic to the calls from the various sectors for a seat on the board, as a party, we were unable to support many of those amendments as they diluted or unbalanced the representation on the board in the context of the 1986 Order. I said then that we did not want to see ESA by amendment.”
“Until now, the Minister and his Department have had a different approach, which, instead of moving the situation forward, has led to increased frustration in the system and continued in-fighting amongst the various sectoral interests. Thankfully, the ESA Bill is now consigned to the shredder, and we now have an approach that will see five boards merged into one. A new streamlined Education Authority is to be established under the terms of the 1986 Order. The new body will continue to protect the rights of transferors and trustees and ensure that there is democratic accountability through the appointment of political nominees. The users of the Education Authority's services will also be represented in the community representation.”
“In our 2011 manifesto, we advocated that if we were to hold the ministerial post in Education we would move quickly to amalgamate the five education and library boards into one body as a first stage of a major reform of the system. For us, as a party, that is an option that has always been on the table. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is not the "dog's dinner", as Mr McCallister colourfully described it during Consideration Stage. These are major steps towards much-needed and managed reform. It ensures that, for the first time, the controlled sector has a voice and that the authority does not give any other sector priority over that. I hope that that will not be unpalatable for Mr McCallister or, indeed, his dog.”
“At this point, I extend my party's sympathy to the family involved in the tragic accident in Cloughmills this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very, very sad time. <BR /> <BR />During Consideration Stage I outlined, on behalf of my party, our views on the proposed Bill, in some detail. I do not propose to repeat that detail. We are content with the broad approach that the Minister is taking in an attempt to move the reform of education administration forward. Indeed, as the First Minister, my party leader, stated last week, he had discussed the idea of amalgamating the five education and library boards as far back as 2002.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. As a Strangford MLA, I find it disappointing to see built heritage closed, such as Scrabo Tower, which closed quite recently, Newtownards Priory and Kirkistown Castle, which I wrote to the Minister about recently. Along with other striking historical structures that have been closed to the public for many years, they could draw additional tourists to those areas. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure that sites are opened and are tied into a tourism strategy that will benefit the people who live and work near them, particularly in my constituency?”