Daniel McCrossan
West Tyrone · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. She has raised some points of interest. Aside from the Bill at hand, the Department of Finance currently collects rates from property owners across Northern Ireland. I have found that there can be difficulties with that when properties have been lying vacant for a significant period.”
“That applies in particular to those who have been land-banking over a period of time — that happens everywhere, unfortunately — with the hope that the big cash cow will be coming and, ultimately, they will be relieved of their responsibility to maintain, look after and enhance the landscape in a town or village by spending the necessary f…”
“As is often the case when we speak in the House, it may be that some ratepayers or members of the public will take it as a given that the Bill will be the silver bullet that will resolve the dilapidation issues in towns. Depending on which area you are in, the scale is very different.”
“We need to be creative in how we can put the Bill to task. <BR /> <BR />Certainly, as I have said, it is good policy. I have no question that the Bill is well intended.”
“<BR /> <BR />Addressing dilapidation is not simply a matter for local government in isolation. The responsibility lies with the Executive as a whole. The Executive have had their eyes closed to this matter for too long, and many of our buildings have deteriorated significantly across council areas over a long period.”
“That encourages private investment, and there is natural enhancement from those investors. However, in areas that lag behind because of economic decline, underinvestment and general deprivation, many towns and cities can quickly become the poor cousin.”
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“People elect every Member of the House to find solutions to the problems that we face, and there is no greater problem than that of poverty. We are elected to lift people out of poverty and improve their lives, and we could solve the problem today — right now — if the DUP would swallow the lump in its throat and get in and do the job that it has been elected to do. <BR /> <BR />This is a very serious situation: make no mistake about that. I assure people that, if there is a solution to be found, it can be found in the House. People are furious, and they are disgusted. They want a solution to this, and parties in the House can find it. The SDLP is proposing solutions to the crisis, as are others, but it is very clear that, when the solution is needed, the DUP is sitting on its hands.”
“It has left people living on or below the breadline for some time, and the situation has worsened because there is absolutely no flexibility in the system. <BR /> <BR />Everybody is struggling. Our businesses are struggling, and our entire community is struggling, but where is the DUP? It is trying to find some quick fix to a problem that it created by abdicating its responsibilities and walking out of the Assembly. I can safely say that the families in its constituencies and in all our constituencies would far rather be able to heat their homes and feed their children today than worry about the distraction over a protocol. That is the reality of the situation. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the days of the veto over the House are long gone. The messing has to stop.”
“My office, like that of many in the House, has been inundated with people from all walks of life who are very concerned about the impact that the energy crisis is having on them. Working families are struggling. It is costing the carers in our community money to travel to work. They did a fantastic job of supporting our people throughout the pandemic, but they cannot even get to work because they cannot afford to put fuel in their cars. <BR /> <BR />Others also cannot afford to travel to work because of the cost of fuel. Pensioners are sitting in cold homes. People who have worked their entire lives and contributed to this society are worried about whether they can heat their homes next week. <BR /> <BR />Even people on universal credit are concerned. We warned the House about that cruel benefit.”
“Clearly, we are not just in a crisis but in an energy emergency that needs to be addressed urgently.”
“I commend the other sectors — the Catholic maintained sector, the controlled sector; the Irish-medium sector and the voluntary sector — for the work that they have done over a very long time. I also thank them for engaging with me and sharing their concerns. Hopefully, I have alleviated some of the significant concerns that they had.”
“It is not a perfect Bill, but we cannot stomp on the Bill sponsor's foot for that. We need to shape the legislation, move it forward and ensure that we erode the very clear barriers that have existed.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill is a step forward. There are concerns. The SDLP is well on the record, throughout the process, stating those concerns.”
“I do not want to see legislation that would damage other sectors, and I am very certain that is not the intention of the sponsor, but I want to see good legislation that will have a direct, meaningful and positive impact on eroding the clear barriers that exist in some elements of our education system. <BR /> <BR />I started by outlining that I am a product of a naturally integrated education system, of a family that has shared and integrated naturally throughout. I was thinking about that this morning. I am an uncle of a young child whose father is South African, whose mother is Irish, who was born in London and attended the local gaelscoil in Strabane. We in my family, my community — this community — want to see those barriers eroded, but we want to see good legislation to ensure that it can happen.”
“Therefore, I will be writing to the independent review panel, as I have continued to do throughout the last number of months, asking whether it will bring forward its findings as soon as possible, including recommendations to ensure that the integrated sector has its full and proper place in the education of our children, recognised and underpinned with appropriate legislation that promotes equality of opportunity for all children and young people. <BR /> <BR />If we were to start this all over again, would we start here? Would children be educated separately? No, they would not, but we are where we are.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have been honest throughout the process about having concerns about the Bill. However, I am also honest in saying that I want to see our children educated together. What I do not want to see is any detriment to the other sectors, which have spent many years in bringing our children together, naturally integrating them and breaking down and eroding barriers. That has happened in the controlled sector, it has happened in the maintained sector, it is happening in the Irish-medium sector and it absolutely has been happening, obviously, with the integrated sector. <BR /> <BR />That said, the SDLP is fully committed to the integrated sector being fairly treated, and we desire parental choice for all.”
“I thank the Member for citing that piece of correspondence. I, too, received that correspondence, and there has never been an example of sectors coming together in such a way to share concerns. I have said time and time again throughout my contribution that I am very well aware of concerns, all of them. <BR /> <BR />I am also aware that, in direct conversation with some stakeholders, some of those concerns — some of them — have been alleviated. The Bill is focused on integrated education and educating children together but, in particular, on the integrated education sector. However, if people believe that we are going to be able to craft a Bill that is to the pleasing of absolutely every person, that is not going to happen. The reality is that we have to shape legislation to make it fit for purpose to ensure that concerns are addressed.”
“I have found the process very frustrating, very arduous and full of challenge and hurdle, but we have all gone through that process. Each party has worked with various stakeholders and sectors to seek out their concerns and try to remedy them via amendments and to work with the sponsor to get a Bill that was fit for purpose. In fairness to the sponsor, she met us at every opportunity when we requested her to do so. <BR /> <BR />I will give way.”
“I will in a wee minute. I just want to make this point, and it is a critical point. If we have concerns about aspects of the Bill, and the outworkings of the Bill prove to be as bad as some say they will be, surely Members on the opposite Benches would be very keen to see an Executive re-established to ensure that we can fix some of the issues that may arise further down the line and that, by working together, we can work through some of those challenges. I would like to think that Members in the House genuinely want to see our children educated together and to get an entire process in place through legislation that is totally and absolutely fit for purpose, but that does not disadvantage other sectors. <BR /> <BR />As a party, we have done our best to fix an imperfect Bill.”
“That review should be free to look at all aspects of the Bill, including the equality implications, with a view to making recommendations that may require legislative change in future.”
“However, I know from conversations and direct engagement with those who had concerns that those concerns have since been alleviated to a significant extent by the Bill as it currently sits. They are not happy with it in its entirety, but it is a better Bill than it was at the start. <BR /> <BR />Concerns have also been expressed about whether the Bill has been subject to an equality impact assessment. The SDLP is very clear that children are all equal in our eyes. Indeed, we consider that every child is our child. With that in mind, and to alleviate growing concerns, we believe that the equality concerns recently expressed should be factored into the workings of the independent review of education. It is clear to us that the Bill must not restrict the deliberations of the independent review.”
“That will enable integrated schools to work with and partner with controlled, maintained, Irish-medium and voluntary schools on a equal footing to share best practice and contribute to community cohesion. Our amendment protects the resources flowing to some of those programmes. <BR /> <BR />Even after so many changes, flaws in the proposed legislation remain. That is widely acknowledged around the House. No one will stand and say, "This is the perfect piece of legislation". Following Further Consideration Stage, it has become clear — I have made this point — that a growing number of people believe that other sectors may be adversely affected by the Bill's outworkings and equality issues that are increasingly coming to the fore.”
“I would keep it down, but I am a bit fed up with the Member and others on the Benches trying to create a very different narrative from the reality. Legislation is not rigid; it is fluid. It is there to be shaped by our working together collectively to improve it. People have different opinions on how legislation should progress and what should be included in it. <BR /> <BR />Shared education is an essential programme open to every school in this jurisdiction. By contrast, changes favouring integrated education will currently benefit only 7%. I know that the Member wants that figure to improve considerably, as does the SDLP. It is essential that we have a vibrant and fully supported shared education programme.”
“I thank the Member for trying to put words in my mouth. That is not what I said. What I said was that, largely, the correspondence that I have received refers to the Bill as presented, not the Bill that is in my hand today. There have been significant changes to the Bill. The Member shakes his head, but his Minister will know that I have worked tirelessly to reshape elements of the Bill to make it much more practical and acceptable.”
“I will in a second. <BR /> <BR />That is why I raise, in particular, the issue with the Irish-medium sector. It was clear that the Bill would create a conflicting statutory duty on the Department of Education as it already had a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish-medium education. The SDLP's amendment was a small but significant one for Irish-language schools, and it remains to be seen whether that it will address all the issues that may emerge when the Bill's provisions are rolled out in an Act. Still, the SDLP considers that to be an essential step, and will have no fear of returning to the House to seek fresh redress on behalf of the Irish-medium sector should there be good cause to do so. We stand for equality and a desire to see all our children treated as equals. I will give way to Mr Humphrey.”
“Instead, it reflects the Bill that we started with, which members of the Education Committee worked with the sponsor on to help get into much better shape.”
“<BR /> <BR />Through the amendments that my party tabled throughout the process and through engagement with the sponsor, who was very engaging with me, my SDLP colleagues and the Education Committee, we have sought to bring greater clarity of thought to some of the clauses and a measure of protection to various sectors along the way, particularly Irish-medium schools and shared education. The Bill is, without doubt, in better shape now that it was when it was introduced. That comes on to the point that Mr Sheehan raised. I, too, have received a huge number of letters, emails and phone calls, and I have held meetings with various principals, educators and parents. The narrative that is being put into the public domain today does not reflect the Bill that is sitting in front of us today.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. I am sure that she will know from her long experience of dealing with the legislative process that every piece of legislation that comes through the House can be subject to judicial review. The Bill is no different. Every piece of legislation that comes through the House can have a particular issue for an individual who has every right to bring forward a judicial review. I am merely pointing out that there are obvious areas where that may be the case.”
“<BR /> <BR />Indeed, of the amendments that were proposed, the SDLP tabled 25 and moved 18, which were successful.”
“<BR /> <BR />The SDLP fully subscribes to the principle of children being educated together and is fully supportive of the policy of parental choice. However, from the outset — I will not fill this full of bluster — the Bill has had difficulties. It has not gone without notice that the short Bill was subject to over 100 proposed amendments. That is testimony, in itself, to some of the difficulties in relation to whether it had been competently drafted. Furthermore, legal advice from several directions pointed to serious drafting problems, which has given parties cause for concern that the sound legislative threshold that is necessary for successful passage through the Assembly had not been met. The fear of unintended consequences should not be taken lightly, nor should the potential for a significant number of various judicial reviews.”
“The excellent report of the expert panel on educational underachievement led by Dr Purdy, which is also a product of the New Decade, New Approach commitments, has presented us with the opportunity to be world leaders in that sphere. That opening is not to be missed, and all education sectors should be fully signed up to the report's recommendations. <BR /> <BR />Central to the SDLP's vision for education is the notion of parental choice. Parents must be allowed to select the school that they believe best meets their child's needs, and we welcome all opportunities to promote parental choice in that regard. That includes the right of parents to opt for integrated education, which has been put forward strongly in the Bill. With that in mind, I will move directly to the Bill to outline some of the other concerns.”
“Again, that is something that we raise continually in the House.”
“We have been the bridge-builders, trying to find solutions in order to ensure that we improve the Bill to get it to a level that is satisfactory and does not disadvantage other children. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, the Bill lacks commitments to have high academic and pastoral standards and to tackle underachievement, particularly when it is ambitious enough to redefine integrated education.”
“Those are very big concerns of mine, but, hopefully, the independent review will address them and create a comprehensive picture of what we ought to do about them. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP also noted some concern about the failure of the sponsor to consult, at the earliest possible stages, with all the parties whose sector or mode of operation stand to be significantly impacted by the Bill. That omission presented various problems at the Education Committee that are clearly stated on record. We expressed concerns that were shared with us by various sectors, including the CCMS, the controlled sector, the Education Authority (EA) and the Department. We had engagement with quite a number of other stakeholders.”
“That is supported across the House and is a process that my colleagues in the SDLP and I have engaged with thoroughly. We look forward to the report that the review will produce and recognise that it may have recommendations that require legislative change, even to some of the matters in the Bill that we are considering today. <BR /> <BR />We have spent months and months on the Bill, working day and night. No Committee has met to deal with a Bill as often as the Education Committee has met to deal with this Bill to see how we can progress it. Unfortunately, there are issues with the Bill. I am on record many times stating that from the outset of the process. For instance, it does not demonstrate how it can contribute to creating more sustainable schools across the entire school estate. I have raised those concerns repeatedly.”
“We strive to build an education system that not only promotes the highest academic standards but enables every child to reach the limits of their potential so that they can become caring and contributing members of our society. We desire the very best pastoral support for our children and young people in striving towards that goal. We backed fully all the recent well-being initiatives that were brought forward by various Departments in order to improve our children's education and well-being. <BR /> <BR />We in the SDLP have also been very clear throughout this process that we want to see greater support for the integrated sector. Does the Bill do that? The SDLP fully supported the Executive's decision, as part of the New Decade, New Approach agreement, to commission an independent review of our education system.”
“<BR /> <BR />We support educating our children together, and we want to see our children being educated together, but we have to recognise that that does not stop or start at the school gates. Unfortunately, in many parts of Northern Ireland, although children are naturally educated together, they go home to their own communities, where they are entirely isolated from each other. They may not see each other away from the school gates. That happens. We need to erode the segregation in our communities and to absolutely erode it in our schools. <BR /> <BR />We in the SDLP have always been committed to all our children having the opportunity to be educated in a genuinely sustainable, world-class education system. That remains our objective.”
“I grew up my entire life beside people who were from different political and religious backgrounds and who lived in different communities. It never once came to the fore of my mind that they were in any way different from me. That is a key component of how I developed as an individual. <BR /> <BR />The school that I attended was naturally integrated. It worked tirelessly, every day, to erode difficult relationships, bring people together and ensure that children could thrive, grow and learn together. That is the vision that I want for this place, and, indeed, that is the vision that my great-grandparents, grandparents and parents had for their families.”
“I thank the sponsor of the Bill for her opening remarks. <BR /> <BR />I grew up in Strabane, and every aspect of my life has been shared and naturally integrated. I am a great-grandson of two people from very different religious, political and educational backgrounds. They found each other, married and had a family of 13, and they have 47 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. That huge family circle has been built on true, natural integration. Strabane, as a place, had a very difficult time, and any difficulties were eroded by the building of relationships and trust. <BR /> <BR />Throughout my education, my parents made a decision that their children would attend the local school, which, they felt, was the best school to meet my needs and those of my siblings.”
“I thank the Minister for answering the question. Minister, you will be aware that many families are struggling with the rising cost of living and the increased cost of energy. That is having a very sore impact on working families in particular, with people living week to week or, in some instances, day to day. Has the Minister considered extending the support scheme to all families? Absolutely every working family has been impacted by the cost of energy, and I am worried that it is tipping them towards the cliff edge. Minister, will you extend the scheme to all families?”
“We believe that removing the FETO measure will be conducive to a properly shared future for everyone in the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I commend Christopher Lyttle for bringing forward the Bill. It is important. I hope that he is given the space to ensure that it gets through the legislative process. It is important draft legislation, and it has the SDLP's support. I commend him and others for their work on the private Member's Bill. The same can be said for Pat Catney and his Period Products (Free Provision) Bill and many other Members. It is good draft legislation, and it has our support.”
“I note that the Transferor Representatives' Council has raised no objection and that teachers' unions have also expressed support for the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that the certificate in religious education has, since 2019, been the subject of ongoing collaboration between St Mary's University College and Stranmillis University College to ensure that student teachers have access to the certificate as part of the bachelor's degree. That is a further indication of the emergence of a new and shared era in education across this place that we share and call home. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP is happy to support the Bill in the context that the entire landscape has changed since the introduction of the teaching exemption to equality legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />I do not believe that an exemption that affords a legal right to discriminate against a teacher for employment on religious grounds is needed in 2022. Indeed, it is undesirable that any teacher could be selected for a job based simply on their religion rather than on employing the best candidate for the job. The exemption needs to be stripped out of legislation to bring our laws up to date and to rectify the issue. <BR /> <BR />It is important in the debate to refer to the recent and very welcome statements by Bishop McKeown, representing the Catholic Schools' Trustee Service, and Mr Gerry Campbell, the chief executive of CCMS, on the matter. Both have declared their contentment with the move to remove that exemption.”
“Their commitment to seeking the best for our children in all circumstances is beyond dispute, particularly given what we have come through — and continue to go through — over the last number of years. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP supports the Bill from the outset, as it believes that the legislative measure in question has long outlasted its necessity. The Fair Employment and Treatment Order was brought into being in 1998. It includes an exemption under article 71, which is based on the 1976 legislation, to address what was then perceived as a need to allow schools to use religious background or belief in deciding which teachers to employ. Since 1976, however, the social, political, cultural and religious landscape across Northern Ireland has changed substantially.”
“I am delighted to speak on this very important private Member's Bill, introduced by my colleague Chris Lyttle. The matter before us is clear. The issue of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order — FETO, as it is known — was once contentious in the Chamber, with a multitude of opposing views brought forward by parties and individuals. I can see that things have changed since then. We are in a very different place, and it is apparent that the key stakeholders are in broad agreement about the way forward. <BR /> <BR />In recent times, all sides have taken a measured, responsible and mature approach to what was once a very sensitive matter. It is equally important, in the context of today's considerations, to recognise the dedication and hard work of all our teachers and school staff.”
“I formally thank all of the campaigners — the various groups and parents — who lobbied for change. This is a very positive piece of legislation, and I commend it to the House.”
“That was highlighted in the Department's consultation, in which 93% of respondents agreed that there was a need for change and flexibility in the school starting age. The Bill also has widespread support across the Chamber — indeed, we are united on the issue — which is extremely positive for all involved. <BR /> <BR />However, I reiterate the concerns that I raised at Second Stage. We need to ensure that those parents who are impacted are given the necessary support and information to allow them to take an informed decision on whether to apply for deferral for their children. I will continue to engage with the Minister on that work. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, the SDLP is happy to support the Bill at Final Stage. It is a massive step in the right direction.”
“I thank the Minister for her work in bringing the Bill forward. As the SDLP's education spokesperson, I welcome the Bill and the fact that it has reached its Final Stage. The Bill is very important and will have significant benefits, particularly in practical terms, for parents, families and all of those who are affected by the issue from a very young age. <BR /> <BR />As I articulated during the earlier stages of the Bill, the Bill undoes a great injustice that has faced many young-for-year and prematurely born children in the North. The parents of those children will now have an opportunity to defer the school starting age, which will have considerable benefits and alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety. <BR /> <BR />There has been widespread support for the legislation.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I commend the team at the Department for its quick responses to a number of the queries that were raised by my office. They were most helpful in circumstances where they were able to help, and that is much appreciated. <BR /> <BR />When we look at the figures, we see that £12 million was spent in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. There are figures in between, going down to £7·5 million in my constituency in the Omagh and Fermanagh council area. Why is the figure for the spend there so low, Minister? Is it that people did not spend it at all, or was it spent elsewhere? If that is the case, what is the level of unspent funds in that area?”
“The same can be said of the Bill that passed earlier today on organ donation, as well as for bereaved parents who are going through and have gone through difficult circumstances, as they will receive that necessary leave. It is not always negative in the House. I just wish that, at earlier stages throughout the mandate, we had had the opportunity to address legislation in such a positive fashion. Maybe the public would have greater faith in the institutions and in what we can do when we work together in the greater interests of our people. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for bringing the Bill to the House. I also thank the Chair and my other colleagues on the Committee for the work that has been done to bring the matter to this stage.”
“The SDLP, like the advocacy groups campaigning to make the change happen, wants to see it happen in this mandate, is happy to support it today and, as previously stated, supports the accelerated passage. <BR /> <BR />On a more positive note, I reinforce, as previously mentioned, the importance of recognising that, when MLAs come together on a piece of legislation where there is consensus, vast improvements can be made to the lives of our citizens. The Bill is symptomatic of that. It is hugely encouraging and necessary. I would have liked to see it come at an earlier stage, but I am encouraged to see it progress to ensure that it is delivered before the end of the mandate.”
“I have also had a parent of a child with special educational needs come to me. The child was born prematurely at the end of the academic year and did not have a statement in place to ensure that he got the necessary support in school. The family wanted to defer his school starting date, which the primary school was in support of, but they were told that the current legislation would not allow it. Again, that reinforces the argument for greater flexibility and an understanding and appreciation of such circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Today's legislation rights those wrongs. It is a massive step in the right direction and a win for the many parents, families and organisations, as referenced in the Assembly today, that have been calling for the law change for well over a decade now.”
“<BR /> <BR />After years of campaigning, concerns and failure to address the issue, I am delighted that we are now in a position to finally put an end to the severe disadvantage that some children who are starting school have faced. For that, I thank the Minister for taking action and, indeed, her predecessor, who reassured me that the matter would be prioritised in the mandate. Like other MLAs in the Chamber, I have been contacted by numerous parents and other lobby groups on the issue. I have listened to their first-hand accounts of the challenges that they have faced under the current system. They have been told that the only option that is realistically available to them is homeschooling, which does not suit many families, especially those who are working and do not have the resources to homeschool.”
“Some 93% of respondents agreed that there is a need for more flexibility for some children to defer the school starting date, and 90% of respondents agreed that deferral should be available on parental request to any young-of-the-year child born between 1 April and 1 July. There is clearly significant support for the proposals, which is encouraging. <BR /> <BR />One issue that was outlined in the consultation responses is the need for an assurance that parents will have adequate support and information available to them when making a decision to defer their child's school starting age. That needs to be addressed, and I would welcome the Minister's views on how she will ensure that that is the case.”
“<BR /> <BR />In assessing the need for the legislation, it is important that we consider that the research into the area undertaken internationally and in the UK has indicated that, on average, the academic attainment of pupils born later in the academic year is lower than those born at the start of the academic year. Given that poor outcomes often persist throughout a child's educational progression, it is clear that flexibility is needed in the school starting age. That flexibility already exists to a certain extent in England, Scotland and Wales, and it is only right that we catch up. <BR /> <BR />When looking at today's proposed legislation, it is important to highlight the 755 consultation responses.”
“The issue, as other Members have articulated well, is that the compulsory school starting age in the North is one of the earliest in Europe. Issues arise with the legal requirement that children who turn four between 1 September and 1 July the following year start primary school at the beginning of the September following their fourth birthday. That means that children who are born prematurely or who have their birthday in April, May or June — the so-called young of the year — are disadvantaged. The Bill allows flexibility for deferred children, meaning that they do not have to start school until the September after their fifth birthday.”