Cara Hunter
East Londonderry · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />At Committee, we heard such compelling evidence from young people about why girls should have the choice of wearing trousers in school. Outside of the young people themselves, the conversations that we had with Menstruation Matters, particularly on the dignity piece about young girls and periods, really resonated with me.”
“I am happy to be here. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I fear that I will repeat a number of points that have been made this evening. As a relatively young woman — I am 30 now — I am absolutely baffled that we have to debate this issue. It is truly astonishing. If I did not have notes in front of me, I would have no words to say.”
“That is why it is so important to echo today that, despite the simplicity of this change, it will be so meaningful in protecting young girls and their dignity in a number of ways. We also often hear directly from young women that they simply want to be comfortable.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Ultimately, the Department of Education and the Minister will tell our young people, "Aspire to be the best that you can be. Get out into the world. You can do and be anything — but you cannot wear trousers". That is lunacy. It is lunacy and hypocrisy of the highest order.”
“<BR /> <BR />I find it extraordinary and depressing that this did not pass previously and that we have had to regroup. As the Chair of the Education Committee rightly said, this could be done at the stroke of a pen. It is nonsensical that we have to do it this way.”
“I thank the Member for his point, but, respectfully, I am not here to talk about other jurisdictions; I am here to talk about the rights of my constituents in East Derry and people right across the North.”
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“All of us in the Northern Ireland Assembly will do all that we can to ensure that those people have the right to access support, and we will seek to challenge each and every rape myth and every instance of misogynistic behaviour and violent abuse that we see in our communities.”
“I have no doubt that that is linked to online access to things such as pornography and to the rise of misogyny and normalised misogyny, both online — on TikTok, with the likes of Andrew Tate — and as we experience it each and every day, whether it is in the home or in the workplace. It is on each and every one of us to call out that behaviour and ensure that it is never normalised. <BR /> <BR />Conviction rates for sexual violence offences in the North remain painfully low. That is what inspired me to bring forward a private Member's Bill that seeks to do all that we can in Northern Ireland to adequately support rape victims who are going through the courts here. I would like every victim and survivor who is listening today to know that they deserve justice and they deserve support. You will be believed. You will be listened to.”
“The honest answer is that we will never really know. We will never know, and the reasons for that are stigma, fear of not being believed, fear of appearing to be attention-seeking. We cannot blame people for not wanting to come forward for many reasons, from rape myths to more. It can be life ruining to take it to court, to seek justice. It could be career ruining. We, as a society, and we, as an Assembly, need to do all that we can to support victims and to challenge those mindsets. <BR /> <BR />Reports show that between 2022 and 2023, the Police Service recorded that there were over 3,300 sexual offences, highlighting a concerning upward trend.”
“Thank you, and I thank the Member for his intervention. Absolutely. It is undeniable, particularly when the person carrying out the abuse is also in the family. It is entirely disruptive for the entire family's life. Of course, the victim is at the very heart of that and their parents are right there with them. I wholeheartedly agree with the Member. <BR /> <BR />Sinéad summarised it so well: we have come a long way. Sadly, the island of Ireland, North and South, has such a profound, dark history of abuse, particularly sexual abuse and institutionalised abuse. Although we have come far, we have a long way to go to tackle sexual assault, abuse and harm in the North. <BR /> <BR />We cannot have this conversation today without talking about under-reporting. It is estimated that 80% of sexual violence cases go unreported.”
“I firmly believe that Members across the House must ensure that that potential loss of funding never, ever happens again. <BR /> <BR />One in four women and one in nine men in Northern Ireland will experience a sexual trauma in their lifetime. Sadly, over the past few years, we have seen a 50% increase in contacts to the domestic and sexual violence helpline, and sadly, even in the past month, we have seen a rise in rapes and reported sexual assaults, particularly in the north-west, which have been deeply upsetting. Let us not forget that sexual abuse is something that can impact on the whole family, not only children but, when it comes to light, parents too.”
“When the news came to light that Nexus could, potentially, have all its funding stopped completely, I received an influx of messages from constituents right across the constituency, of all different demographics. Most of those messages came through Facebook Messenger. Some spoke about having been raped as teenagers. One person mentioned that they had been violated by their ex-husband. I also spoke with others, who were male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. That is the range of people and victims whom we are talking about, and it is important to mention that here, today. Nexus was the first place that they felt safe. Nexus was their safe space. Funding Nexus is crucial. It is not only crucial but life saving. I am so grateful that its funding was reinstated.”
“The consequences of sexual trauma can be life ruining, but this vital service provides such a range of support for victims of sexual abuse right across the North. Any of us, at any time of our lives, can be a victim of sexual trauma, whether it is childhood sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault. Thankfully, Nexus NI has been there, holding the hands of people of all genders, all backgrounds, all beliefs, right across the North, guiding their healing journey to surviving trauma. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, it was not long ago in the House, as rightly mentioned by other Members, that we were fighting for this incredible service to maintain funding so that it could adequately deliver support for thousands of victims right across the North.”
“I really welcome the opportunity to speak, and I thank the members of the Women's Caucus for tabling the motion. <BR /> <BR />In writing my speech, I struggled and found it difficult to articulate effectively how grateful I am for the Nexus staff. We hear all the time in our constituency offices from people who have lived through undeniable struggle, and we very often hear just how incredible the Nexus staff are. I hope that they are listening to the sentiments that are being shared across the Chamber. Those staff are incredibly valuable, and I am delighted that we are debating this topic. <BR /> <BR />The staff at Nexus go above and beyond to support those in Northern Ireland who have endured the pain and suffering related to sexual trauma.”
“Months ago, in the House, I brought an Adjournment debate on second home ownership and the challenges that are faced in the Causeway coast and glens area. I asked whether it would be possible for the Department to increase monitoring of the issue. Has that been done? How can the strategy help those struggling with access to the housing market in my constituency?”
“Thank you, Minister; I welcome that response. On the back of the question, one conversation that we have recently been having on the Education Committee is about how to support children who experience bereavement. Will the Minister commit to meeting the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) to have a conversation about reviewing bereavement policies to best support and serve young people who have experienced heartbreaking grief?”
“Minister, East Derry is crying out for this investment and job creation. Can you detail any targets that the subregional plan will set for the region as a counterweight to Belfast?”
“It is, frankly, unacceptable that constituents in the area have had to wait so long for that vital project. It is estimated that it will cost anywhere between £35 million and £40 million. I ask that the Infrastructure Minister recognise it as a matter of fairness and forward-thinking infrastructure planning and that he urgently commit in the House to a Ballykelly bypass.”
“I think, in particular, of the public safety issue with roads, and I think today of Joyce Taggart, who tragically lost her life earlier this year, and of my friend Melanie who was in an accident just a few weeks ago. That road is really congested, and I cannot reiterate that enough. My constituents who are in the Ballykelly area are rightfully annoyed. They feel that the area is heavily congested, and, particularly when there are roadworks, they have voiced how they feel stuck in their home. A bike lane was added recently, yet they feel that that addition overlooks the dire and urgent need for a bypass. I take that road almost every day, and the need for it to be upgraded creates delays for thousands of people and commuters between Derry and Coleraine and disrupts critical connections for business.”
“A key infrastructure issue in my community and constituency is the need for a Ballykelly bypass. I urge the Minister for Infrastructure to commit urgently in the Chamber to bringing forward that vital project. Actually, it has been the better part of 20 years since plans for a Ballykelly bypass were first proposed, yet, to this day, that vital project is still stuck in limbo despite the clear and pressing need to address traffic congestion. I have real concern about the emergency services and ambulances' ability to gain access, particularly when there is a potential restructuring of services at Causeway Hospital, meaning that there will be additional need to get to Altnagelvin Area Hospital. <BR /> <BR />The continued absence of that bypass creates a significant impact on local residents, commuters and the broader regional economy.”
“I firmly believe that any cuts to those vital community transport services are an absolute disgrace.”
“I draw attention to the continued infrastructure needs in my constituency of East Derry. On Friday, a number of my constituents who live with special needs, have physical disabilities or are older were notified that there had been cuts to the Disability Action transport team, which meant that, today — Monday morning — they could not get to their day centres. I think of one case in particular, of which I was notified this morning: a man who is 55 and has special needs will not be able to get to his day centre today as a result of the cuts. It is absolutely shocking and disgraceful, and it is totally unfair that the situation was relayed to those affected so suddenly. I thank North Coast Community Transport, which does a remarkable job in ensuring that vulnerable people across East Derry have connections and have a life.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and warmly welcome it. Given that time is of the essence, is it possible to provide more than one AED for schools that are on a large campus or that have multiple buildings?”
“They are fantastic at what they do in supporting their children to be the best that they can be. <BR /> <BR />We urgently need to support parents who deserve rest from taking care of children who have special or complex needs. The need is urgent. Let us work together to build an inclusive education system that lifts up all children inside and outside the classroom. Their future depends on it.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are talking about the provision of support for children with special educational needs. We also need to discuss respite care. Happy parents lead to happy children. So many parents whose children have SEN rarely ask for much, but, when they ask for respite care, they cannot get it. I had a constituent — it was a very sad story — whose teenage daughter, who has complex special educational needs, recently survived cancer and is doted on by her parents. The parents wanted to get away for a few days after a period of pain and uncertainty, but they were turned down at the last minute, and that was also in the wider north Antrim area. It just goes to show how common that is — that is just one story of many. Respite care is a fundamental support mechanism and safety net for parents to have much needed downtime.”
“Social anxiety, general anxiety, isolation, academic setbacks and mental health crises are, sadly, becoming all too common. The children whom we are talking about are not just statistics. They are future scientists, artists, carers and leaders. If we fail to support and protect them now, we fail to unlock their full potential. <BR /> <BR />Investing in SEN provision means more than just funding. It means ensuring that teachers have the training to meet the range of diverse needs, developing specialist facilities to support parents and young people and integrating wrap-around support for families. It means committing to a system that values every child equally. On that note, I would like to thank the incredible staff in those schools: for example, Sandelford School in my constituency and, of course, Rossmar School in Limavady.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will now speak about Caleb's Cause and post-19 support for children with special educational needs. It really is a cliff edge. Those young people feel totally unsupported. Over the age of 19, going out into society can be an incredibly unnerving and uncertain time — for anybody — so it is really important that we do all that we can to support them. I note that Rossmar School is potentially looking at providing support for children and young people from the ages of 19 to 25. That could be an answer. We are looking at how we can support young people, and that could be a good way to go. <BR /> <BR />This is not just about what happens within the walls of the classroom. The failure to address SEN needs has a profound impact on children.”
“I thank that group for its hard work, its dedication and the support that it provides to so many families across my area and in North Antrim. <BR /> <BR />Education is, of course, at the heart of this conversation. The number of children who need specialised support has increased by 24% over the past five years, but, despite that, many families are left waiting for placements, battling an overstretched system that lacks sufficient resources. Today, over 1,000 additional SEN places are urgently required, along with specialist classrooms and adequate funding, to ensure that those children can access the education that they deserve. I thank the Minister and his colleague Alan Robinson for their work earlier this year to ensure that Rossmar School got the necessary capital funding to facilitate more space on its site.”
“<BR /> <BR />Before I continue, I thank the Children's Law Centre and the NI Children's Commissioner for their tireless hard work advocating for children with special educational needs across the North. I particularly thank Causeway Neurodiversity, which is a remarkable group of people who have come together from different backgrounds. They come from throughout the region, including from my constituency and from across North Antrim, and the group comprises parents, experts by experience, activists, health workers and more. They bring people together — they have an online platform on Facebook as well — to talk about the experience of being a parent who struggles with a child who has special educational needs. The group puts people with special educational needs at the forefront of the conversation in order to hear their lived experience.”
“One principal, whom I spoke to just last Friday, said that the school was often put in the awful position of choosing which child should be sent for assessment, when many really need the support. Parents feel every bit of that. They are left running around in circles trying to find school placements, support that helps their child achieve and support inside and outside the classroom. Parents spend late nights worrying and early mornings trying their best to support their child and their child's needs, as well as attending multiple appointments in order to give their child the best start in life. From language therapy classes to sensory classes and more, parents are burnt out and exhausted from trying to make it all happen.”
“I take the opportunity to welcome the Member who secured the Adjournment debate to the Education Committee. We have had him with us for the past few weeks now, which has been great. I thank him so much for bringing the topic to the Chamber, because it is such an important issue. <BR /> <BR />Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, yet for too many children with special educational needs and disabilities across Northern Ireland, including in North Antrim and in the wider north-west, that remains out of reach. Changing that is a priority for the SDLP. With nearly 20% of our school population identified as having special educational needs and over 22,000 young people having a statement, the demand for tailored support is undeniable and growing. <BR /> <BR />For so many, even getting a statement is unbelievably difficult.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Understandably, women across the north-west still feel unsafe. There has been a community response, including self-defence classes in Limavady, which is brilliant. Since those attacks just weeks ago, has the Minister engaged with the policing and community safety partnership (PCSP) for Derry and the wider north-west?”
“<BR /> <BR />For over a decade, we have been the only place across these islands without a childcare strategy. The time for warm words is over. Families and providers need action urgently. Let us not wait until more families are forced to choose between food and a future.”
“Michelle Guy referred to the fact that the delay with the strategy showed a lack of priority. She also said that the collapses that we have had over the past number of years certainly have not helped. <BR /> <BR />The DUP stated that significant progress has been made. I agree that welcome steps have been taken, but we have a long way to go. A hugely important aspect of that is the childcare strategy. A lot of parents will be really concerned to hear that that might take years to come forward. We have come a long way from where we were, but we need to go much further. We need the childcare strategy to create the most effective change possible. The UUP re-emphasised just how essential childcare is and that we need the strategy now.”
“Across Northern Ireland, costs, including staff costs, are rising due to inflation. The Executive need to help our childcare sector. Up to 14% of providers have had to increase their fees just to keep their doors open. Providers tell us that they are at breaking point, and, sadly, families are being priced out of the system. <BR /> <BR />I move briefly to Members' comments. I thank everybody who contributed. A wide range of views were expressed, but, ultimately, we all want to help parents and families across the North. Mr Carroll touched on the importance of supporting childcare providers that are struggling profusely. Cathy Mason talked about the importance of supporting working families by creating a strategy that looks at a long-term vision for the workforce and where we go from here.”
“That, of course, disproportionately impacts on women, forcing many to sacrifice careers that they worked so hard for and spent years building. From having the most caring responsibilities to the ever-present glass ceilings, women already carry a heavy weight on their shoulders when it comes to the workplace. They do not need another reason to be kept out of it. <BR /> <BR />Another key point that has been echoed around the Chamber today is that the childcare sector is buckling under severe pressure and strain. I have met some incredible childcare providers in my constituency, such as Appletree Childcare in Glenullin. I had a really good conversation with the staff about the important role that they play in developing young people and being there for them. The amazing staff are so devoted, but they are under so much pressure.”
“That makes childcare the second largest monthly expense after rent or mortgage payments. Parents are being forced to dip into savings, take out loans or even borrow money from family just to cover the basics. In some heartbreaking cases, parents even skip meals to keep their children in appropriate childcare settings. That has a huge impact on parents. <BR /> <BR />When we talk about productivity and economic recovery, it is really important to think about the role that childcare plays. In Northern Ireland, 95% of parents report that the stress of childcare costs negatively impacts on their performance in the workplace. Alarmingly, 76% of parents have said that they have had to change their working arrangements, reduce hours, turn down promotions or leave the workforce entirely.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />Unaffordable childcare costs impact on so many families in Northern Ireland. For so many, it is not just a policy issue but an everyday human struggle. Parents who work every hour that God sends are rightly angry, annoyed and tired. They are tired of working hard but somehow never having enough money. They are tired of not being able to afford the small, important things that make life worth living — small treats such as going out for dinner or a day out with the kids — while others can barely afford to eat, all so that they can afford childcare. <BR /> <BR />Parents are weighed down and burdened by ever-increasing costs. Imagine being a family in which both parents work tirelessly, only to spend an average of £12,000 a year on full-time nursery care or £6,000 a year on after-school childcare.”
“I thank the Minister for that detailed answer. Minister, I will bring to your attention briefly the story of a family based in Greysteel in my constituency. They have a young girl called Maisie who has complex needs and was told that she would have to wait a year to get a tooth that was causing her so much bother that she could not eat taken out. <BR /> <BR />Minister, recognising the pressures on dental surgery, has your Department explored what we could do on a North/South basis? Has it looked at whether we could create a scheme for the children who are struggling with the waiting lists for surgery and find some way to resolve the issue and limit the waiting times?”
“We do not need a strained relationship; we need to come together. Ultimately, that lack of communication is to the detriment of creating the best possible legislation from the Education Department. <BR /> <BR />I echo the Chair of the Education Committee's comments, and we will not support the DUP amendment. We do not feel that there has been adequate support for children or their families who endure poverty, and we will support the Alliance amendment.”
“Sadly, child poverty continues to be a huge part of our society. Children endure food poverty and poor mental health and come from households and areas that are greatly deprived. We need tangible legislation to meet the needs of our children and young people, with timelines and targets to ensure that the best possible outcomes are available to them. <BR /> <BR />Transparency about education is vital. We are no strangers to challenges, and we know the pressures that are on the Department and its budget, but I am deeply disappointed that we have not had the chance to catch up with the Minister at a Committee level. I have talked before about how that can open us up to things like cross-party collaboration that allow us to work collectively with the Minister and his Department.”
“Since the restoration of Stormont in February, the majority of Assembly business has not been focused on the legislation that is desperately needed. This week, this important motion was tabled by colleagues across the House. It is the second time that the issues in the motion have been debated. That reflects the severity of the need for change through legislation. It also echoes the real sincerity across the Chamber on the issue and the urgent need to tackle child poverty. We see the struggle that our constituents face each and every day, particularly on that issue. We must see legislation brought in line with the asks of the motion. Less than half of the Executive's legislative programme for 2024 has been taken forward, and, coming up to Christmas, we have only a few sittings left.”
“Yes, there are aspects of government assistance like uniform support grants, which we welcome, but they often do not go far enough and cover only the basics, meaning that parents still feel a level of distress, particularly if they have multiple children. Families work every hour that God sends but really struggle to cover the costs of electricity, uniforms, new school shoes and putting food on the table. Many feel that they have been suffocated and left without adequate support from the Government. <BR /> <BR />In order to discuss holiday hunger and the cost of uniforms, I need to touch on the importance of the concern that there is about the lack of Executive legislation coming out of this Building.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I will start with a number of harrowing statistics. Around 24% of children in Northern Ireland live in poverty, which is higher than in all other places across these islands. Over 100,000 children in the North qualify for free school meals. That is around 30%, which showcases the high level of need that is in this area. A 2023 survey found that, on average, primary-school uniforms cost around £173 and secondary-school uniforms cost around £378. That causes undoubted financial strain on families across the North, with 37% of parents in Northern Ireland going into debt to cover simple aspects of school expenses like uniforms, shoes and other necessary supplies.”
“We have fantastic sports groups, such as the GAA, rugby clubs and football clubs, which do incredible work locally. We can tap into that. <BR /> <BR />The project not only addresses misogyny and disrespectful attitudes towards women and girls but discusses other issues that young people, particularly boys, face. Many boys come from homes without a strong father figure or male role model to guide them. It is so important that the Assembly, as an institution, stands up and ends violence against women and girls and replicates models and programmes that have been utilised in other countries to ensure that every woman and girl in the North of Ireland feels safe to walk the streets on which she was raised.”
“It is an incredible project that we could replicate here. In that programme, training is delivered by a male coach or teacher who is known to the student, so they are a trusted role model. That is what makes it so successful; young boys receive information from someone whom they trust, and they can open up and discuss sensitive issues in a safe and trusting environment. That programme is evidenced. It has had a worldwide impact. Studies show that it is highly effective. It is trauma-informed. It underpins how we understand young people and those who come from significant deprivation, dysfunctional family homes and communities with a lack of resources. Key investment in projects and programmes such as that is absolutely fundamental to tackling violence against women and girls.”
“<BR /> <BR />What can be done in our society to support young boys as they become men? To dig a little deeper on that important topic, I have been chatting to PhD researcher Nicole Devlin, who is based at Queen's University Belfast. Nicole conducted research in America on projects that can help to build up young men and help them to establish, early in their lives, healthy relationships with women. I thought that I would use my speech to give a platform to one answer that is out there for working with young boys that could be utilised in the North if it were funded correctly. <BR /> <BR />High levels of misogyny and violence towards women and girls in our society cannot continue. When Nicole was on her trip, she met Futures Without Violence and saw the Coaching Boys into Men programme.”
“I rise to speak about an issue that matters greatly to my constituents, which is ending violence against women and girls. Over the past number of weeks, we have seen a disgusting increase in attacks on women, particularly in the north-west. Last week, in Guildhall Square, I stood shoulder to shoulder with some of my constituents and men, women and children from across the wider north-west area when we joined together at a rally to stand up against that disgusting behaviour. It was an emotional and thought-provoking moment. All speakers spoke of the power and importance of encouraging healthy relationships from a young age and of ensuring that we uplift and empower young men in our communities to be part of that conversation and to make the right decisions.”
“It is crystal clear that young people reject paramilitary activity in their community. Young people listening today will be disappointed that you met that group, because they want to leave violence behind and to leave groups associated with violence outside the conversation about education. Can you provide the Chamber and the young people who are listening today with any concrete outcomes from the meeting that will contribute to the betterment of education in Northern Ireland?”
“As recently as Friday, Minister, I was at a school and spoke with parents, teachers and principals about the lack of responsiveness from the EA. Off the back of that, can you detail some specific examples of what has been done to transform the work culture in the EA with regard to criticism about a lack of responsiveness?”
“Minister, the funding last year for special educational needs was £65 million: that is 14% less than it needs to be this year, due to inflation and increased demand. While the £170 million announced today is certainly welcome, is it enough to meet the shortfall and the diverse needs and demands of our children, particularly those with special educational needs?”
“Through the SDLP's Make Change programme, we want to see a Civil Service that employs young people and people from diverse backgrounds. I am mindful that, in years to come, 70% of grade 5s in the Civil Service are due to retire. What more can we do to upskill young people in the Civil Service and retain them? What more can we do to upgrade them each and every year through personal development?”
“I think that we all agree that having the Minister there so that we have the ability to ask questions and seek answers will be beneficial for us all. I hope that we can agree today to remodel the RAISE scheme in such a way that it delivers for our most vulnerable young people. Beyond that, it is crucial that we ensure that the funds that we have are adequately spent on those who are most in need.”
“We have heard from some school leaders that, as it stands, the RAISE scheme punishes poverty and rewards wealth. There are profound issues about how the money has been allocated. It is of the utmost importance that some kind of reassessment of eligibility is done. The Executive must be seen to take action and lift up those who are objectively most in need first, not those who come from wealthy backgrounds in the North and clearly do not require the intervention that is provided by the programme. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP supports the motion and the amendment, as we feel that it calls for change, enhanced transparency and collaboration with the Minister at the Education Committee. I am of the firm belief that the Committee is a fantastic tool for scrutinising effectively and learning more from the Minister.”
“When researching the matter, I came across information about some schools that have not been included, such as West Winds Primary School in Newtownards, where 71% of pupils receive free school meals, and Holy Cross College in Strabane, an area that I used to represent, where 35·3% receive free school meals. <BR /> <BR />Universally, as discussed, it is recognised that economic background is the biggest determining factor for educational achievement and career prospects. As legislators, we have a responsibility to ensure that public funds are delivered on the basis of objective need. It cannot be the case, especially in these challenging times when budgets are so tight, that millions are allotted to schools when every normal indicator suggests that they are not in acute need of those funds.”
“However, serious questions are apparent and have echoed around the Chamber today. How is it that a school that educates overwhelmingly middle-class children from aspirational, well-heeled and high-income homes has been designated for inclusion in the scheme while some of our most struggling and challenged schools have not? It is still unclear how that has happened. It simply does not make sense that a fee-paying prep school that charges £5,000 a year in fees has been included whilst a school in west Belfast where over 70% of the students receive free school meals has not.”