Paul Givan
Lagan Valley · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“The EA's enhanced support model has been out for consultation. The Member's party is the largest political grouping on the Education Authority, so his party supported the model's being consulted on.”
“Protections around strike action and action short of strike are firmly established in statute for all workers, including teachers. If the Member is referring to the Education Inspections Bill, let me be clear: nothing in that legislation removes or undermines that right.”
“The issue was covered at length at the Education Committee. The position is still not where it ought to be. When I came into office, the position that I inherited was much worse than it is today.”
“It is an area that I have had to navigate, as have many previous Education Ministers. Industrial relations is an area that needs ongoing work. I have outlined how we can address it, but I come back to saying that, when workload was undefined, trade unions struggled to specify the challenge.”
“That is not a fair characterisation. In fact, I was with Justin McCamphill, the leader of NASUWT, at the launch of the curriculum reform, at which he commended me for it and said that he thought that it was good. I have sat in many a meeting with trade union representatives during which they have said, "This is a good initiative.”
“That is exactly why there is a 16-week consultation period, rather than the normal 12 weeks or the minimum eight weeks; to allow the public and teaching profession to very much engage in that curriculum, which I commend to all Members.”
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“The independent review of education also referenced what was then a recent landscape review of the EA. That landscape review produced similar findings and highlighted many of the same failings for the controlled sector that the independent review of education had highlighted and on which it made recommendations.”
“I thank the Member for his comments. It is not just my view that there needs to be that support for the controlled sector; it comes from the independent review of education report, which made that recommendation. There is an evidence base for doing so, and one of the comments that were highlighted in the report is:”
“A task force has been commissioned to progress that important work in the pursuit of consistency and equity of support. The task force held its first meeting on Friday 27 September. It is chaired by the chief executive of the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC) and includes senior representation from the Department of Education and the Education Authority. <BR /> <BR />The task force will develop a proposed model for controlled schools support, including a dedicated body to include managing authority responsibility. It is due to report to me by December 2024. I will be in a position to provide a further update to the House in due course.”
“We then have 'A Fair Start' programmes, many of which benefit everybody, irrespective of religious background, which is the right thing to do. Later this week, I will officially announce the RAISE programme, which, again, is about trying to address the educational underachievement that exists in many of our working-class communities but is particularly acute among those from a Protestant/loyalist background.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I was shocked when I heard Pat Sheehan justify the heinous acts of the Provisional IRA on the basis that he now has an electoral mandate. His mandate does not change the fact that he was a convicted terrorist for a proscribed organisation. Those who participated, just because they managed to get votes to get elected to the House, will not be viewed differently from loyalists whom they now criticise me for meeting. <BR /> <BR />A significant amount of support is already available to help address underachievement among working-class Protestant boys. I refer the Member to targeting social need, which accounts for approximately £75 million. I also safeguarded the extended schools programme budget this year to maintain funding of £8 million, and that assists 450 eligible schools.”
“I will not be lectured by those who are acting in a very hypocritical fashion on the issue.”
“Every part of our society has to be able to move forward. I have often said that, just because you have a past, that does not mean that you should not have a future. My family locked up, day after day, in the Maze prison some of the very people whom I have been criticised for meeting. Members of my family served in the H-blocks and were shot at going to work. My uncle took 13 bullets as he drove down the motorway. My father served in the loyalist and republican wings. The Alliance Party and others here campaigned vociferously to get all the prisoners released. I campaigned against the Belfast Agreement. Now the Alliance Party and others who championed the early release of mass murderers into our society have the cheek to criticise me for wanting to move our society forward.”
“I, however, do have concern, and I share those concerns, but I will continue to work in every community to bring them forward.”
“When John Hume embraced Gerry Adams and Sinn Féin, while the IRA was up to its neck in murdering the people of our country, his response was:”
“I highlighted in the response to the question that I have accepted 324 invitations. I have discharged hundreds of those requests. I have been in countless schools and community facilities that represent every section of our society and every sector in education. If Members were to put that question to every other Minister, I would be interested to hear how many invites they have accepted and meetings they have attended and to compare my record with theirs. That is maybe something that colleagues will do. <BR /> <BR />I will not make any apology for making sure that we seek to move every part of our society forward. Unlike the Member's previous leader, the late John Hume, I do have concern and share some of the concerns that people have expressed.”
“Since taking up office, I have received invitations to meet schools, individuals and many organisations. I have accepted 324 invitations and fulfilled hundreds of them, including visits to many schools and community facilities that represent every part of our society. Given the significant demands on my diary, it would not be possible to accommodate every request.”
“I say to the Member that, in the past, the Assembly did not operate in the way that it should have, and there were multiple occasions under the SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party when the Assembly collapsed.”
“I very much want to make sure that the Executive are able to deliver on all the key issues facing the citizens whom we serve. Over the past eight months, there has been clear evidence that we have been able to do that. I cite, for the Member's benefit, the early learning and childcare strategy. After a full month of implementation, over £2 million has gone into the pockets of hard-working families. That is a sign that the Executive are delivering. I brought the scheme forward, and the Finance Minister and colleagues supported me in that. We are taking action. I also announced major capital spend for a new special educational needs strategy and new capital build projects. We are making progress on a whole range of areas, and I trust that that will be the case in the future.”
“I commend the Member for continuing to serve on the board of governors. It is important that elected reps do that, where they can, because they can add value to the school that they serve. <BR /> <BR />The Member highlighted the SEP process for that school. The tender process to appoint an integrated consultancy team (ICT) has begun. That team will take the project through its design and construction phases. The ICT will be appointed before the end of the financial year. <BR /> <BR />The Member highlighted areas in which they continue to work with EA to address some of the issues. If there is anything in particular, I would be happy to look at it directly with the EA on his behalf.”
“I have made funding available to progress the school enhancement programme project for Holy Child Primary School through the design stages to pre-tender stage. A decision to release to tender will be taken on a case-by-case basis, dependent on budget availability at that time. I will continue to make the case for additional capital funding for Education through the Executive.”
“Of the announced Fresh Start projects, eight have now been completed, and a further six are currently in construction. The Member will know that, unfortunately, earmarked Fresh Start funding was removed by the Labour Government and the previous Conservative Government. Ring-fenced funding is, therefore, no longer in place for the planning and construction of any of the remaining 10 Fresh Start projects that are not currently in construction contract. I have been able to place those remaining unfunded Fresh Start projects in my Department's Executive-funded major capital works programme. That will allow the projects to continue to advance in planning and design.”
“The matter of any vacant sites that come about as a result of the campus opening will be one for the people and bodies that own them to discuss as to whether there are any alternative uses for them in education or, indeed, wider public service or whether they should be disposed of. The process of deciding whether the sites can be repurposed in any way or disposed of is for those who legally own them. At this stage, my Department and I have not been involved in any of those conversations.”
“On 18 July 2024, the Northern Ireland Executive agreed that the Strule Shared Education Campus should proceed immediately to contract award and agreed the investment of £375 million on the programme. The main works construction contract was signed on 7 August 2024. I am delighted to confirm that the programme is progressing at pace and that my officials are fully engaging with all the stakeholders around every aspect of delivery. On the current programme timetable, following the pre-construction design period, campus construction is due to begin on the site in early 2025, with the full campus opening planned for September 2028.”
“I think that my answer referred to 2017, when there was a scheme. As things stand, I am not in a position to make another call on schools to come forward for either a school enhancement programme or a new capital build. Billions of pounds would be needed to deal with those that already have approval for a new build or a school enhancement programme. As things stand, I have no intention to open up a call for SEPs or new capital builds in the near future. If that changes, I will look at the criteria that will be used in carrying out any assessment for the schools that may come forward. There are no immediate plans to make a call in those areas.”
“Once a school has been successful in the SEP, it advances to the integrated design process, which is when an architect is appointed and professional support is put around that team to advance the project. I understand the frustration of the schools that were announced as part of the SEP but have not been able to advance. Once a school is able to advance to the next phase, progress can be made. I want those schools to get to at least pre-tender stage, where the design work has been completed, the feasibility studies have been carried out and a business case has been approved. The Member is right: the process takes too long, which, obviously, leads to frustration. I want the Department and EA to look at that process to see how it can be improved.”
“A number of schools that I have visited have highlighted minor works schemes that are necessary. Presently, we are trying to meet the need around inescapable statutory requirements, such as health and safety, fire protection and other statutory obligations around the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. A school approaches the EA for an unavoidable minor works application in that regard, and the EA then takes the school through that process. <BR /> <BR />I very much want to get to a place where we deliver so much more by way of the refurbishment and enhancement of our school estate. That is why I continue to put forward comprehensive bids as part of the Executive's financial monitoring round process. I trust that all colleagues in the Assembly will support me in the case that is being made for further investment in education.”
“Unfortunately, the demand for investment far exceeds the budget available, so difficult decisions have been required to prioritise works to keep schools open, keep pupils safe and provide education access for the most vulnerable. Many schools across the estate are in urgent need of investment, and I am delighted to have progressed seven SEP projects to procurement earlier this year. Unfortunately, the number of projects that I am able to progress is restricted due to the challenging budget position and SEN placements. I assure you that I will continue to make the case for increased investment in the education estate to allow much-needed projects to be delivered.”
“Major refurbishment projects are assessed through the school enhancement programme, which targets investment to address immediate and pressing accommodation needs in schools. The second call to the school enhancement programme closed for applications from school managing authorities in February 2017. The applications were assessed against key criteria, such as rationalisation, suitability, condition and the percentage of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) and allocated free school meals. The selection criteria will be reviewed in advance of any future calls for the SEP. <BR /> <BR />Minor refurbishment projects, which are typically up to £1 million, are considered through the minor works scheme.”
“The Member raises a valid point about the processes involved in the school enhancement programme. There are minor works schemes, the school enhancement programme and new capital builds. I have raised concerns about the time that it can take to go through that process. The Department is actively engaging with the EA to establish whether there is a better way of taking forward school enhancement programme processes.”
“The Department does not engage with other Departments to determine which schools will be announced, but, when it comes to taking into account local development plans, the council can certainly engage with the EA and the Department on those, and, where a request comes forward, it is expected that the EA will participate.”
“The siting of housing developments is an area on which schools will make a case for a change in enrolment figures. That is often the case for change that comes through. If there is a new housing development, any reports that come to me will reflect what that might mean for an increase in the birth rate and potential pressures on schools. Housing developments do not necessarily, in and of themselves, translate into evidence of a need for schools, but I have outlined the flexibility with which we approach such matters as need arises.”
“However, the demand for year 8 places within the time frame of the strategic area plan covering the period 2022-27 will decline. <BR /> <BR />Where pressure on school places arises, my Department is able to respond to it by using the temporary variation procedure. Any school that is oversubscribed can request additional places through a temporary variation, and, if there is a shortfall of provision in that sector and that area, additional places will be allocated. That ensures that the school admissions system can flex and respond to demand as and when it arises.”
“I have not had discussions with the Minister for Infrastructure in relation to sufficient school provision in central Craigavon. An examination of the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon local government district, where central Craigavon is located, shows that 3,368 places were available at primary schools and 1,161 places were available at post-primary schools. The Education Authority (EA) has statutory responsibility for planning education provision that is sufficient and efficient in meeting the needs of all children and young people in an area. The EA area planning team has examined the area and has reported that, for primary schools overall, there are available places in all sectors with the exception of the grant-maintained integrated sector. There are limited places available at post-primary level.”
“That is one of the school projects that is subject to funding. There is always the issue of getting appropriate capital. I continue to make the case, as I outlined, for increased capital resources to be made available to my Department. I will then be able to provide more positive responses to those Members who are campaigning on that particular issue. <BR /> <BR />I take the opportunity to congratulate the Member on his elevation to the House of Lords. It is very much deserved, and I commend him as he takes on that role.”
“To date, our representations have not been received effectively by London, so I encourage all Members, where they can raise these issues, to join me in making the case for the schools that will be negatively affected by the change.”
“Undoubtedly, there will be a significant increase in costs for the families of the children whose schools are impacted on by the decision. It may also have an impact on the public purse. There has been a reduction in the number of prep schools in Northern Ireland. When the parents who pay private-school fees withdraw their children from those establishments, the public sector and the taxpayer have to make sure that there is provision for those children and young people. <BR /> <BR />So, there will be implications, but, again, I assure the Member that I am making representations to the Labour Government on the issue. I am very concerned about the direction of travel.”
“I have significant concerns about the wording of the draft legislation, which will capture all schools, private or not, that charge a fee. In Northern Ireland, that will include 21 grant-aided grammar schools that charge capital, boarding or preparatory department fees. Whilst grammar schools in Northern Ireland are grant-aided for their day-to-day running costs, under this Labour Government, they are likely to be treated as private schools by HMRC for VAT purposes if they charge fees. Affected schools will be compelled to register for VAT and to charge VAT on their fees. My officials and I have been engaging with HM Treasury on the issue to highlight our concerns about the draft legislation. We will continue to make representations on behalf of schools.”
“The Member had me visit the school fairly soon after I took up office. I am pleased to confirm that, since my announcement in May, the technical designs for the major works project for Crawfordsburn Primary School have been approved by my Department and construction procurement is ongoing. The project will provide a new school building on the existing and extended site at an estimated total cost of £7·3 million.”
“Additional funding will impact on my ability to release money for further much-needed major works and bring school enhancement projects to construction stage. It will also impact on ICT programmes that provide end-user devices for schools across Northern Ireland, the absence of which would leave many without the computers that are needed to deliver the curriculum, particularly to our most vulnerable students, and a range of other key programmes such as bus replacement, land purchases, youth capital provision and other smaller projects.”
“The opening capital budget provision that my Department received for this year was £254 million, which included £20 million of earmarked funding for the Strule Shared Education Campus. As part of June monitoring, my Department made a bid totalling £114 million for high-priority requirements that were not funded by the initial capital budget allocation. In that monitoring round, an additional £15 million was allocated to meet SEN and statutory minor works requirements. <BR /> <BR />My Department continues to face significant capital pressures, and difficult decisions will continue to be required on prioritisation. I will continue to bid for additional capital budget to provide additional and much-needed funding across many of the Department's capital programmes.”
“Not only would I be happy to attend that meeting; I am determined that I will attend it. I will also undertake to formally raise the issue with the Minister of Health, because it is important that that support is provided in our special schools. I have highlighted my concern about a withdrawal of services and will engage with the principals involved. That will enable me to make clear representations to the Department of Health, so that the provision is supported rather than being withdrawn.”
“I welcome the Member to the Assembly, as I have not yet had an opportunity to do so. You are very welcome, and I look forward to working with you as not just a Member for Lagan Valley but someone for whom education is a key interest. <BR /> <BR />The Member, rightly, raised the issue of support for special schools from allied health professionals including nurses. When I have been out at special schools, it has concerned me to see services being withdrawn, because I have always been of the view that the best place to support the medical needs of those children and young people is in the setting that they are in. That reduces travel and inconvenience. I want to see better support in special schools. Rather than having a withdrawal of medical services from our special schools, I want to see an enhancement of those services.”
“The task force will develop a proposed model for controlled schools support, which will include a dedicated body with managing authority responsibility. In the shorter term, it will identify key performance issues and required improvements for controlled schools within the controlled model. The task force has been asked to report to me by December. I, therefore, expect to have the report before the end of the year. That will allow us to establish the next stage of the process and create a managing authority for controlled schools and, in doing so, ensure equitable treatment. Other schools have managing authorities, but the controlled sector does not, and we need to address that inequality.”
“I am committed to working collaboratively with schools, the Education Authority and the Controlled Schools' Support Council to identify immediate solutions for providing the sector with effective and equitable support and management in the short and long term. To progress that work, I have commissioned a task force, which will be chaired by Mark Baker, the chief executive of the CSSC, and include senior representation from my Department and the Education Authority. The task force will engage representatives from controlled schools as part of its work.”
“I thank the Member for his question about controlled schools. This has been an issue for a number of years, but I have become acutely aware of it since taking up my current role. I regret that the Education Authority has, in many respects, failed controlled schools. As a result of the existing structures, controlled schools have become the poor relations in education. That needs to change: controlled schools need equitable and effective support. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the work that the Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC) has done with limited resources and no statutory powers. The recent report of the independent review of education highlighted the:”
“I would welcome other Ministers getting on with the job of delivering in their Departments if they were able to do it as well as I have with my colleagues' support.”
“Obviously, the draft Programme for Government highlights a number of key high-level objectives. Education features in those, particularly that for children with special educational needs. Now is a welcome and opportune time for the public to have their say on the draft Programme for Government. However, I did not need a draft Programme for Government in order to get on with the job of delivering new capital programmes for special schools, implementing the mobile phone policy, resolving teachers' pay and taking forward a huge range of initiatives, including the childcare strategy that I stood up and through which I have put money into the pockets of hard-working families. I did not need a Programme for Government to do those things.”
“A number of school principals have contacted me, including some who want to pilot the scheme, in the constituencies of some Members who may not have been that supportive. They want to come forward and be part of piloting a strategy to inhibit these devices. It is the right thing to do, and schools have my support in taking a robust approach to the inappropriate use of mobile phone technology in schools.”
“The Member is not comparing like with like: one of those relates to the curriculum. However, I appreciate and thank the Member for his and his colleagues' support for the initiative on mobile phones. A clear evidence base has been established on the detrimental harm and distraction that mobile phone technology causes in schools. The policy is evidence-based, and the guidance highlights a number of options through which schools can implement the Department's clear position that, in a post-primary setting, mobile phones should not be used from when a pupil comes into school until they leave school, and in a primary setting, they should not come into school at all. <BR /> <BR />I assure the Member that the teaching profession has overwhelmingly welcomed the initiative.”
“— if we are to avoid the problem next year.”
“We need to get the appropriate support for new capital, because we have flexed the spare capacity in schools. We need to develop new infrastructure. That will require additional investment —”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member is right that the situation is anticipated to continue year-on-year for quite a number of years. I have therefore reconfigured the task force's work so that it does not wait for a number of months but starts now so that we do not have a repetition.”
“After I came into office, I said, in March, that an estimated additional 1,000 specialist education places needed to be created for this academic year. I immediately got to work to resolve the issues and to provide clear leadership in that regard by establishing a task force. I can confirm that a total of 183 new specialist provision classes have been stood up for this academic year, which have created more than 1,450 new places in special schools and through specialist provision in mainstream schools for children with special educational needs. There was an absolute prioritisation to invest tens of millions of pounds. I have not received adequate funding from the Department of Finance for that, but I prioritised it within my capital budget. We put the processes in place and created the 1,450 additional places.”
“In addition, the director of inclusion attends a weekly update meeting with the EA's director of children and young people's services. Six children with a statement of special educational needs still need to secure a place. I can, however, update the House that I am confident that we will be in a position to confirm those places very soon.”
“The EA has written to those parents numerous times in an attempt to seek further preferences, and staff have contacted the parents by telephone to offer advice and guidance. Given that the parents have still not nominated alternative preferences, their cases have now been referred to the education welfare service, which will engage with the families and pursue any further action that may be appropriate. <BR /> <BR />Finally, for children with a statement of special educational needs, the SEN placements task force group chaired by the chief executive of the Education Authority meets weekly to discuss progress. My Department is represented on the task force group, including senior officials from inclusion and capital. The Education and Training Inspectorate also attends.”