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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“Work is ongoing. It is a priority for the Executive. We are prioritising resources in our office. The strategy is cross-cutting in nature, and other Departments have a role to play. I do not have a date, but what I can say to the Member is that it is a priority for the Department to bring forward the strategy as soon as possible.”
“That is a very important strategy that the Executive Office is taking forward. It is vital that all voices be heard, not least those of women and girls who have a particular experience and can then assist in formulating the strategy. It is being taken forward. I will ensure that the Member's comments are brought to the attention of officials so that that can be accommodated.”
“Once the terms of reference have been finalised, they will be presented to the Executive Office Committee.”
“By the end of August 2021, the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board had received 1,844 applications and considered 1,374 for determination. The board has made determinations totalling just over £25 million, and approximately £21·5 million has been paid to victims and survivors. Executive Office officials are meeting victims and survivors' groups to discuss the content of a terms of reference for the review of the historical institutional abuse redress process, with a view to putting those to Ministers in October.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I ask junior Minister Middleton to answer that question.”
“There will be a legal responsibility on all Departments to do that.”
“I thank the Member for that. This is a very important issue. We have 150,000 veterans in Northern Ireland. The military covenant was a commitment in New Decade, New Approach, and the legislation is going through Westminster. It will become law and place a duty on Departments to make sure that the law is covered and that people are getting the services as a consequence of having that additional legal protection in place. We have had the appointment of Mr Kinahan — someone who will be familiar to Mr Allen's party — as the Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner. He is engaged in representing the needs and concerns of veterans. I will come back to the Member with a specific answer on the body that he mentioned, but it is vital that, as the Bill becomes law and completes its legislative passage through Westminster, the services are provided.”
“The deputy First Minister and I, acting jointly, have not engaged directly with the UK Government on that matter. There has been engagement between officials in respect of the technical details of the Bill.”
“Learning on how to get a better and smoother process was garnered from the experiences of the families who were settling into a community and accessing education and a local GP, for instance. People were then linked up so that they could have contact with people from their own country as well as integrating with local communities. There has been learning from all that, which will shape the way in which the process rolls out for welcoming people from Afghanistan.”
“<BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has always been a welcoming place, and when people come here seeking help, they do so having left very tragic circumstances and in distress. It is only right that we provide them with the appropriate support. Obviously, immigration policy is not devolved to here, so it is a matter for the Home Office to determine whether people's request for asylum ultimately leads to them staying here. When they are here, however, it is important that support is provided.”
“The Member raises an important point and one that the Executive have had to consider, given that an increasing number of people are arriving here seeking asylum. There is a range of different measures where assistance is provided, and a number of schemes now exist. There was the Syrian refugee scheme, and there will now be the Afghanistan scheme. There is a Hong Kong scheme. There is quite a number. In the correspondence that the deputy First Minister and I sent, we highlighted to the Prime Minister that it is important that there is equality of treatment for people who require help and assistance and the potential for differentials when it comes to providing support. We recognise the unique circumstances of the people who are seeking refuge here.”
“The programme that we will follow has been largely built upon through the Syrian refugee resettlement scheme. The Department for Communities led on that. Indeed, I was the Communities Minister when the first Syrian families came to Northern Ireland. Families came on 25 subsequent occasions and sought refuge here in Northern Ireland. A lot of good work exists. The Department for Communities leads on that, but, obviously, there is support from Health on housing, and collaboration with other Departments takes place. The Department for Communities will be primarily responsible for the schemes.”
“Everyone here will have been moved and, indeed, distressed by the harrowing scenes from Afghanistan. Just as it did for the Syrian refugees, we want Northern Ireland to play its part in responding to this humanitarian crisis, and at their meeting on 6 September, the Executive united in a commitment to do so. We have now written formally to the Prime Minister committing to resettle citizens under the Afghan relocations and assistance policy and the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme. Officials, via the strategic planning group, are working to determine final numbers to be resettled and make preparations to support arrivals as soon as possible.”
“That is all to help our younger people to make sure that they have the appropriate skills to take up the job opportunities that arise. As we emerge from this period of COVID, it is vital that we really seek to address the need for that economic development and ensure that we have the right skills to build upon.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I know that the economy is close to her heart given the excellent work that she carried out in her previous role. She will be pleased to know that the document contains 37 interventions that focus on building that sustainable economic development, and we are committed to working together on economic recovery. As the Member will know, having pioneered this when she was Minister, we are preparing to start the voucher scheme, which will help to stimulate economic activity on our high streets and protect jobs. <BR /> <BR />The education issue is part of the actions and interventions on making sure that, when we look at the need for more apprenticeships, we have a skills-based approach to that in our training colleges.”
“I thank the Member for welcoming me to my first Executive Office Question Time as First Minister. <BR /> <BR />The central tenet of this document is its collaborative nature. Departments worked together on it. It is vital that there are adequate oversights. Then, if issues such as the Member outlined arise, they can be identified, and, if additional resource, whether financial or support from other Departments, is required, that can be done. Work is ongoing to develop the appropriate oversight and reporting arrangements, and those will tell us how effective the interventions are in accelerating recovery. It will be a cross-departmental approach to ensure that all aspects of recovery are considered. Regular updates will be provided to the Executive, the first of which will be before the end of this calendar year.”
“The allocation of a further £316 million was agreed on 20 May. However, funding for those allocations is for a one-year period only with no guarantee of additional COVID money from the UK Treasury for 2021-22. Funding for the 2022-23 year and beyond will not be known until the UK spending review announcement later this year. The recovery plan has been designed to progress interventions over a two-year period to focus attention on immediate priority actions and longer-term interventions that require planning and commencement now.”
“The consolidated recovery plan, which was published on 2 August, aims to deliver societal, economic and health recovery. It provides opportunities for collaborative action intended to accelerate recovery over the next 24 months, ensure that the citizen is better off in the short term and address critical challenges that our citizens face today and in the near term. Significant work has been undertaken with all Departments to determine the funding position of the 83 interventions, and that work continues. At this stage, the funding position of 70 of the 83 interventions has been confirmed, with 60 fully funded and 10 partially funded, and work is ongoing to finalise the funding position of the remaining 13. <BR /> <BR />The Executive's Budget for 2021-22 allocated £1·148 billion for COVID support and recovery.”
“Over the summer, the Executive continued to meet regularly. During that time, restrictions were made in 38 individual areas. Currently, we have nine areas left that are dealt with by way of regulation. That has been part of the Executive's approach: changing restrictions, evaluating the impact and then allowing further decisions to be taken. Other jurisdictions held restrictions in place in a comprehensive range of areas and then opened them all up. Where that happened, it led to significant spikes. The Executive's approach to reopening has been cautious because nobody wants to have restrictions brought back in. We are now at a place where we have reduced to a small number the areas where restrictions exist in law. The Executive will meet again on 23 September to take further decisions about the areas that remain.”
“I welcome the Member to her place and wish her well in her new role. <BR /> <BR />The Executive consider a number of areas when taking decisions. Those are informed by health advice but also by the economic impact that restrictions can continue to have and by the wider impact on community, society and family. We have seen changes around domestic indoor settings that recognise the need for greater contact within families. The Executive therefore have to consider a number of factors. Health will continue to have a significant role to play, of course, but we take that in the context of other areas that have to be considered by the Executive.”
“<BR /> <BR />We will continue to operate the institutions in good faith when it comes to carrying through decisions on health, education, housing and all the other areas that affect people's lives, but we have to make sure that the fundamental building blocks on which the Executive and the Assembly are based are sound, and that requires action to be taken in the short window of opportunity that now exists.”
“Our party is clear that it wants the Executive to continue to work. We want the Assembly to continue to operate and to take the types of decisions that we are taking. The basis, however, on which we restored the institutions was in 'New Decade, New Approach'. The United Kingdom Government made commitments to unfettered access for Northern Ireland by way of an east-west dimension and to the internal market of the United Kingdom being restored. The fundamentals on which the Executive are formed have to be right. That is why there is now a window of opportunity for the United Kingdom Government and the European Union to make sure that the changes that are needed are made.”
“They need to be informed about the types of decisions that can help them take that personal responsibility in the interests of protecting not only themselves but other people.”
“It is important when it comes to communicating the messages that we do so effectively. We have been able to use a range of platforms to get the message out. I understand that, as we ease restrictions, the public are not always aware of what the current rules are. The Executive have considered all the restrictions that have been made over the past months, interrogated the evidence and, ultimately, reached a position. We keep making the progress that I would like to see us make, but we are cognisant of the fact that transmission is still prevalent out there in the community. <BR /> <BR />There are pressures on our health service, and everyone needs to take personal responsibility to take the right decisions as we move away, as we have been doing, from regulations to guidance. That requires people to take personal responsibility.”
“From March 2021 to date, the Executive have continued to consider proposals for the relaxation of restrictions, as outlined in 'Moving Forward: The Executive's Pathway Out of Restrictions'. The Executive have undertaken multiple reviews of the restrictions, taking decisions on appropriate relaxations as early as conditions allowed, in line with the most up-to-date scientific and medical advice. <BR /> <BR />Recently, further relaxations have been affected by an increase in the delta variant, which has slowed the rate at which the Executive have been able to ease restrictions. The Executive, however, are committed to retaining restrictions only for as long as is absolutely necessary. The most recently agreed further easing of restrictions came in from Friday 10 September, covering indoor domestic settings, hospitality, music and dancing.”
“I appreciate that some are exemplified when it comes to where there is difference, but there are many examples where the Executive have been able to have a united approach and make real, tangible changes to people's lives that are beneficial to everybody in the community.”
“Look at the areas that this scheme transcends. It includes housing, covers education and encourages bringing people together. It is not just about facilitating those conversations; it requires tangible changes to take place. We can look at the five different Urban Villages that will be rejuvenated. I look at the different areas where that will have an impact. Therefore, it is transformative with regard to both the physical infrastructure and the impact that it has also had on people's attitudes where that aspect of the programme has been engaged. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to the Executive, all that I will say is that, yes, there are some issues that create tension. However, the Executive have been able to make significant progress on a whole range of areas.”
“Ultimately, that is the kind of society that we want: one that respects and celebrates difference.”
“Over the summer, incidents happened that should be condemned. They should not have happened. People should be able to celebrate their culture in a way that does not denigrate somebody else's culture. Ultimately, that is what we want to achieve. <BR /> <BR />The T:BUC approach that we take with young people allows people from different traditions to come together. During the summer, when I was in Limavady with the Roe Valley Residents Association, I had the opportunity to hear at first hand the experiences of young people, some of whom had never actually mixed outside their own community, which may be hard to believe in this day and age. They were able to get a better understanding and appreciation of other people's culture and gained better respect from that.”
“There has been significant progress in delivering the Together: Building a United Community strategy, with a number of the headline actions being fully achieved. Over 24,000 young people have taken part in T:BUC camps, and five Urban Villages areas have been established. Four shared education campuses have been approved and are progressing. Ten shared neighbourhoods, providing 483 new homes, have been completed. Over 6,000 young people have participated in the Peace IV youth programme. Over 26,000 young people have engaged with the Uniting Communities through Sport and Creativity programme. The number of interface barriers has been reduced by 14. We remain fully committed to the T:BUC strategy, which is demonstrated by the provision of £12 million of Executive funding in the 2021-22 year.”
“Victims and survivors deserve the right apology, and it is important that they get it in a way that is genuine and authentic. We will confirm the dates and agree consultation arrangements with them in the near future. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the redress process, including the payment of compensation and the provision of services, is a tangible acknowledgement of the wrongdoings of the past, which should never have happened. What we do will never heal the hurt, pain and suffering that individuals have endured, but I make this appeal to them: please find a way to come forward and receive the help and support that you rightly deserve.”
“The deputy First Minister met the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse, Fiona Ryan, on 24 March. Part of that conversation was focused on how best to deliver the right apology in a way that addresses the issues of most concern. Officials continue to consult the commissioner. Work is being done on proposals for the content and timing of such an apology. A project group has been set up to take that forward. It is my intention to work towards the apology being given to victims and survivors in the autumn, when, we hope, there will be further relaxations of the COVID restrictions and there can be engagement with victims and survivors in person. An appropriate and meaningful way to do that is of paramount importance.”
“There was a meeting in February with some of those institutions. That engagement is ongoing. It has been agreed that there will be a round-table meeting with the relevant institutions on the principles underpinning the discussions on contributions by all concerned. The deputy First Minister and I are considering a proposal for an independent facilitator to assist with those discussions and to bring focus and challenge to them. <BR /> <BR />Mr McGrath also raised the issue of older people, and he is right to highlight that. The legislation requires the president to prioritise people by their age and health. To date, 274 of the 1,604 applications received have been in that category. The board continues to expedite that area. <BR /> <BR />Ms Bradshaw raised the issue of an official apology.”
“Mr McGrath raised the issue of the benefits disregard in Great Britain. Yes, the legislation on historical and institutional abuse redress provided that it should not affect tax or social security benefits. Whilst the tax exemption was applied UK-wide, the benefits disregards did not cover Great Britain. Work was done on that by the former First Minister and the deputy First Minister with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I am pleased to say that the outcome has been positive. Officials are now working urgently with DWP to put a business case to Treasury that will allow that Department to put in place the necessary arrangements for disregard. <BR /> <BR />A number of Members raised the issue of engagement with the institutions, including Mr Stalford and Mr Butler.”
“I agree with that. There is a difference as that is with the Department of Health, but the Executive announced that there would be a design process for the work that would be done with that and that, of course, lessons would need to be learned from it. <BR /> <BR />As part of the communication process, one of the things to look at is the possible provision of a helpline. Ultimately, that is for the board to decide on. It goes to the point that the Member made about having a central point of contact when you want to get clarity on the process. That is something that the board is keen to look at, and we are encouraging it to do so.”
“Each panel includes two people, one of whom will have a health or social care background. It is important to say that those who are unhappy with the award have an automatic right to appeal a panel's assessment. <BR /> <BR />Communication was raised by quite a number of Members. The president has said that there is commitment to addressing that and has personally engaged with all panel members on the wording of decision notices. He has confirmed to me, the deputy First Minister and the Committee that he is open to engaging with the victims' groups on how to improve that communication. Linda Dillon mentioned the legalistic nature of the process, as did other Members, and, to help with that, the president has committed to getting more nonjudicial members involved in the future engagement with victims' groups.”
“If you are a family member, if you are a victim and survivor, take the first step and come forward. The support service will help you in any way that it can with your needs before the outset of the application process. <BR /> <BR />I turn to some of the points that Members made before I make a final remark. A number of Members raised the disparity in awards. Members will know that each award is based on an individual application and determination and thus the awards are different depending on the evidence that is presented. That emanates from the findings of the Hart report, which were different in respect of the different kinds of institutions, and the panels have to take that into account in their findings. The applications are assessed by an independent panel that is appointed by the redress board.”
“When the terms of reference of the proposed review are being drawn up, we will need to consider how best an independent element of review can be built in, and engagement with victims and survivors, the redress board, the commissioner and the support service will be part of that. I expect discussions to take place over the summer regarding the terms of reference, the time frame and the reporting. <BR /> <BR />Today is not the day to go into the detail of any review, but there are two things that I wish to say clearly. First, I assure victims and survivors that they are being listened to. Secondly, I appeal to all individuals out there who are yet to decide on whether to come forward and make an application for compensation, including the former Hart inquiry applicants, not to be afraid or daunted.”
“<BR /> <BR />The support service and the redress board are working on amendments to websites that provide a seamless link between the three organisations — the VSS, the commissioner and the redress board — that clearly signpost whom to contact at a particular stage in the redress process. They are also looking at providing additional financial and investment advice and assistance. That is work that has already been taking place, and it is important that it continue. <BR /> <BR />Some victims and survivors have stated that they wish to see an independent review undertaken.”
“That allows a person to talk about their lived experience in a safe environment. There is also the option of a person making a recording of their experience to sit alongside the written application for compensation. <BR /> <BR />It is important that any review looks at all aspects of the redress process. As the motion recognises, the review should be done in such a way as not to impede the day-to-day work of the board. I suggest that the review should not hold us back from making important improvements in the meantime. The president, for example, has committed to regular engagement between the board and the victims and survivors' groups and to look at the area of communications; indeed, he has already been discussing the content of decision notices with panel members. Changes have been made by the board to its statement of experience.”
“Those who want to avail themselves of particular emotional support and help as they make an application for compensation can receive dedicated help from the personal support unit in the support service.”
“It is a very important service, which has a range of therapies and supports in place that were designed with survivors in a way that offers them choice and flexibility and that is unique to individual needs. It is trauma-centred and trauma-led. Health and well-being support is provided in the form of, for example, complementary and physiological therapies and persistent pain management. There is social support provided through befriending and outreach, personal development provided through education and training, and welfare advice and support to assist with information recovery. The last point is of particular importance to survivors wishing to obtain their own records. <BR /> <BR />Deciding to apply for compensation is undoubtedly a big step.”
“There is always room for improvement, room for streamlining and room for looking at what we have done and at whether we can do more and do it better or more efficiently. <BR /> <BR />In principle, I therefore welcome the review proposed by the Committee's motion to address the concerns. It is important that it should look at all aspects of the redress process, from when people decide that they wish to apply for compensation until they receive an award and decide what they want to do with it. Indeed, the support that we need to offer does not stop there. We established a dedicated support service for HIA victims and survivors, which is provided by the Victims and Survivors Service, supported by two community organisations, WAVE Trauma Centre and Advice NI.”
“That feature is unique to our redress board. <BR /> <BR />The work has gained significant momentum since then. In the first couple of months of this financial year, the board has held more panel meetings and made more determinations of awards than in the first six months of its operation in 2020. It paid out £4 million in the first two months of this financial year, against £3·7 million in the first six months of the previous one. Although that is good news and shows that the board is delivering, and delivering in a very difficult operating climate, no one is being complacent. The deputy First Minister and I are acutely aware of the concerns that victims and survivors have raised.”
“In that time, the redress board has received over 1,600 applications and made determinations totalling over £20 million for 1,091 applications. <BR /> <BR />The decision was taken in March 2020, in the interests of victims and survivors who had waited such a long time for justice, to open the redress board to applications in the midst of a global pandemic. The former president of the board, Mr Justice Colton, ensured that all the preparatory work was completed in time for the opening. Throughout the past 15 months, the board has determined to continue to deliver, despite difficulties in accessing records and vital corroborating information. The new president of the board took the decision that it would accept all applications, incomplete or otherwise, and take on the task of gathering the additional documentation.”
“They were failed by a system that should have protected them but that instead turned a blind eye and covered up systematic abuse. We all need to take the opportunity to learn the hard lessons about what happened in those institutions so that it will never, ever happen again. In doing so, we underscore the importance of the continued implementation of the Hart report recommendations. The responsibility for the implementation of that report rests with the Executive Office. Without doubt, it has been and remains one of the key priorities of the Executive Office and the whole Executive. <BR /> <BR />Before I turn to the specific points that have been made in the debate, it would be remiss of me not to reprise the past 15 months. On 30 June, we marked 15 months since the HIA Redress Board opened to applications at the end of March 2020.”
“I thank the Executive Office Committee for tabling the motion and Members for their contributions. I welcome the opportunity to respond to the debate. <BR /> <BR />Victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse have endured much in their lives, and it is incumbent on all of us in the Chamber to ensure that we do the right thing to address their needs and demonstrate the Assembly and the Executive's acknowledgement of what they have suffered. Historical institutional abuse should never have happened. It was wrong on so many different levels. Trust was breached and children violated. It is a sad reality that so many children were forced to spend their lives carrying with them extraordinary and unimaginable trauma, pain and suffering. Thousands of children were robbed of their childhood and silenced.”
“We grieve his loss and we join the family as they mourn, but I know that I will see Gordon again, because he is in eternity with the Saviour that he loved — a Saviour whom I love. I will get to see Gordon again. I know that Gordon would want me to encourage you all to think about your place and where you will spend eternity. We remember the man; we remember the encourager that he was. This place is very much the weaker for his passing.”
“He did not take to the Zoom technology, and that is why, while everybody else was using the StarLeaf facility, Gordon kept coming into the Building whenever he could. <BR /> <BR />He was a faithful public servant — not in the Hollywood celebrity attention-seeking style. He was diligent, hardworking, understated and quiet. He was Mr Holywood in North Down. They have lost somebody who championed their cause so well for many years. My sympathies go to his wife, Gillian, and to Andrew, Amy and Stephen. I am delighted that Stephen will continue his legacy in this place and represent the party in North Down. <BR /> <BR />For me, it is farewell and we will meet again, because Gordon had a strong personal faith. He put his trust in the Lord many years ago.”
“I knew when I left that house that things were not looking good, and, only a number of weeks later, he passed away. <BR /> <BR />I had the opportunity to serve with Gordon on the Economy Committee, and Ms Archibald spoke very well about his role on it. He loved that Committee, and I served with him on it. More recently, we served on the Justice Committee, and I am not so sure that he loved that just as much. He certainly liked to quiz about legal aid, and departmental officials know that he had an interest in that because it was about public finances. Gordon always had an interest in how money was being spent and whether it was being spent well. I always enjoyed that time with Gordon.”