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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“We know that our young people learn through play, and I am worried about what that will mean in the interim until they get that funding. It is eating into grassy and tarmacked play areas; that is really unfortunate. <BR /> <BR />We must invest, and we must plan. It is totally unfair that the schools believed that the projects would happen but the funding did not follow through. We know that money is tight, but going back on a commitment is unacceptable. Many principals have been left with no answers, and pupils have been left with an unfair lack of appropriate school infrastructure. It has disrupted progress in our integrated schools. We all must be reminded of the fact that integrated schools are a growing sector or sphere, and it needs to be adequately funded.”
“I have seen in my constituency how some integrated schools do a fantastic job, such as Roe Valley Integrated Primary School in Limavady; Mill Strand Integrated School and Nursery, which is getting a new building in Portrush that should open shortly; and, of course, North Coast Integrated College in Coleraine. <BR /> <BR />I fear, as does my party, that further delays in resolving the funding issue only serve to compound the challenges facing integrated education and its infrastructure. I have real concerns about inflation. It is really important that, as a direct result of the funding being withdrawn, questions are asked about how we will move forward with increased inflation and how much more it will cost to build those schools. As it stands, those schools are eating into sufficient play areas.”
“The cost of the negotiations' lack of substance is that integrated schools, which were quite literally waiting to begin development, have been truly abandoned through the collapse of ring-fenced funding. I am mindful that there is support for the expansion of the independent review of education, as it underpins the importance of shared education and integrated education in building a shared space wherein reconciliation and respect for difference can occur. <BR /> <BR />It is not just an issue of the withdrawal of funding having weakened our education system; our ability to have additional shared spaces has been weakened alongside it.”
“I welcome the contributions thus far. I also welcome the fact that the Department's acting director of investment and infrastructure will be coming to the Education Committee tomorrow, so we can probe the issues further. That is really welcome. <BR /> <BR />Almost a decade after funding was ring-fenced by the Fresh Start Agreement, it is appalling that those schools, parents, pupils and teachers are being abandoned by the Government. Some of those new-build projects, as mentioned by other Members, were almost shovel-ready. Temporary accommodation had already been put in place for classes, yet they were told at the eleventh hour that it was not happening. It is truly unbelievable.”
“I seek clarity on that point for those families and our constituents. Was the Minister's predecessor doing something wrong by answering Members' questions and referring zero questions to the Housing Executive during her last two years in office?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Would she agree that we are so lucky that we have, now more than ever, more female representatives and that, in order to ensure that we keep that momentum and increase the number further, we must address issues such as the public safety of Members and the lack of an efficient maternity leave for Members across the House, both of which play a negative role, as they put women off getting into politics?”
“Let us work tirelessly to eradicate violence against women and girls in the North in all its forms, to ensure that every woman and girl living here can live with dignity, freedom and a sense of equality that they so rightfully deserve.”
“<BR /> <BR />I really appreciate the stories that have been told in the House of difficulties with those challenges, on things like miscarriages and baby loss. Members have been so brave in opening up and talking about those issues. It is educating me and other Members, and it opens up discussions that were once quite sensitive in society, from which people would hide and were quite stigmatised. Now, however, we see that wonderful, open discussion, which will greatly help women and girls who are listening to us to feel comfortable in sharing their stories and, on the wider issues of women's health, know what signs and symptoms to look for. I really wanted to include that. <BR /> <BR />Lastly, as we celebrate International Women's Day, let us recommit ourselves to the fight for gender equality and for justice.”
“As policymakers, we must prioritise health as a fundamental human right and take concrete steps to address period poverty once and for all. I welcome that, over the past few weeks, we have talked at length about women's health. That is a huge pillar: when we talk about the quality of life and celebrating women and what it is to be a woman, health is such a huge aspect of that. We continue to see and hear in our constituency offices and in the Assembly stories of women going weeks, if not months, struggling to get a diagnosis for things like endometriosis, PCOS and even issues around infertility and wider issues to do with reproductive health. We really must make the effort in the House, not just the women but the men, to push that to the forefront of Ministers' minds and make sure that it is well funded by the Executive.”
“Women and girls are forced to choose between buying menstrual products and meeting other basic needs, such as food or heating. That should not be the reality in the 21st century. Menstruation is a natural biological process, and no woman or girl should be either ashamed or disadvantaged as a result of it. We must work together to dismantle the stigma around menstruation and ensure that hygiene products are available, accessible and affordable to all women and girls, regardless of socio-economic background.”
“Sadly, even though the Assembly has come back, we have seen a cut of up to 40% to the resource behind the Period Products (Free Provision) Act (NI) 2022. No woman or young girl should suffer the indignity of being unable to access those products. I urge Members collectively to continue to raise that issue in order to ensure that we have the adequate funding that is necessary to change lives and maintain dignity.”
“Out of the victims supported by Nexus NI who have survived sexual assault, sexual harassment or sexual violence, 80% are female. I am mindful that, when we talk about celebrating women, we want to ensure that we do all that we can to support women and girls who are victims and survivors of sexual violence. It is important that we all use our platform to ensure that that counselling for victims and survivors continues without lapse and that it is available to all without delay or denial. I am so happy, as are, I am sure, other Members, that the funding has been resumed and that victims of all genders who have survived such traumas will continue to be seen. <BR /> <BR />Women face many challenges in life, but period poverty is often a silent crisis that affects millions of women and girls across the world, including in the North.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members must continue to use our platform as women to tackle the grave issue of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland. I welcome the fact that, in the weeks since this place has been back up and running, we have used that opportunity to talk about tackling violence against women and girls and to touch on the lives of those bright, talented, loved women whose lives were so tragically taken. That is really important. Their lives were taken from their family and loved ones. Today, when we reflect on celebrating women and on what it is to be a women, I want us to remember them too, because I know that Members across the House certainly will not forget them and their stories. <BR /> <BR />Given its proximity to the motion, I mention the fact that, last week, funding was briefly cut for Nexus NI.”
“Misogynistic attitudes sadly continue to over-sexualise and objectify women, and those realities remind us of the urgent need to continue our collective efforts to achieve gender equality and to have early intervention in our education system — our schools — to tackle those mindsets and to ensure that women are respected and celebrated in the classroom, the home and wider society. <BR /> <BR />International Women's Day serves as a reminder of the work that remains for us to do here. It is a call to action for Governments, institutions and individuals alike to commit to tangible change. We must strive for equal representation in decision-making positions and processes, equal opportunities in education and employment, and equal access to healthcare and resources.”
“I particularly note that, during the years of the conflict, women kept on going as mothers, grandmothers, community leaders, entrepreneurs and politicians, in what was an extremely difficult time. In every documentary about the Troubles that I have watched, there has always been a woman in the house, quietly keeping things going. Women were out on the streets fighting for peace as well, despite the horror and violence on our streets during what was an unbelievably difficult and tragic time in our history. <BR /> <BR />As we reflect on the strides that have been made, we cannot ignore the challenges that continue today. Inequalities still exist, barriers still stand and injustices still prevail. Women continue to face discrimination, harassment and violence, simply because of their gender.”
“From leaders in politics to pioneers in the arts, from activists on the front lines to caregivers in our homes, women have continually broken barriers and defied expectations so often placed on them by society. That is why I welcome having the time to hold this debate and contributing to it. I welcome contributions that will be made by women across the House from diverse backgrounds, with different beliefs and lived experiences. Diversity makes us whom we are. It strengthens our places and our policies, and we must have women at the tables at which decisions are being made. <BR /> <BR />For generations, women in our society have carried so much on their shoulders. Trans-generational trauma has been carried on the backs of women for generations here.”
“The motion is about International Women's Day 2024. It is imperative that we not only reflect on the progress that we have made in advancing women's rights but acknowledge the challenges that persist at home and across the globe. Today, we not only reflect on and celebrate International Women's Day but honour the strength, resilience and achievements of women everywhere. This day holds immense significance, as it not only acknowledges the progress that we have made so far but underscores the journey ahead towards true gender equality in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />In the North, as in many other parts of the world, women have played pivotal roles in shaping our society, culture and history.”
“Minister, coming from a rural constituency, I welcome discussion about the fund. How is the effectiveness of the fund being measured to ensure that your Department is best supporting marginalised people in isolated rural communities?”
“Has the Minister had any conversations regarding laws and legislation with the Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure on the role of social media stalking and unwanted messages and the impact that that can have on victims in Northern Ireland?”
“In conclusion, poverty impacts on families in each and every one of our communities. We are now at a stage at which families with two working incomes cannot afford school uniforms because they are struggling with bills. A cheaper alternative should be allowed so that children can focus on education and more money is kept in the pockets of families here.”
“Every child in the North wears a uniform, so we need to ensure that we provide the necessary grant support to support each and every child. I take the Member's point; he is spot on.”
“I thank the Member for his comment and wholeheartedly agree. That is where communities across Northern Ireland have stepped up by providing places where people can get recycled clothes and recycled school uniforms. That is really positive, but they should not have to do that.”
“That is interesting: children in P3 and P4 are intelligent and aware of the burden that buying uniforms can put on their family. It is important to mention that. <BR /> <BR />Through our policies, the SDLP wants to increase the school uniform grant; make the guidance in our schools statutory, as in other parts of these islands; allow more flexibility so that, as was mentioned by Members, off-brand items of clothing can be used, as they are often more affordable; make that statutory guidance include affordability and the practicality of uniforms from several suppliers; and regularly review cost and suppliers. The cost is just incredible. I remember the dread that you would feel as a teenager when you asked your mum or dad for new clothes. As a child, you know the pressure that that puts on your family.”
“The fact that the survey reported that two fifths of parents in Northern Ireland have found themselves going into debt is truly shocking and deeply concerning. I hope that the Minister will agree that it should be a priority for the Department to alleviate the stress facing working families and all families. I reiterate that action is needed as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly's Education Service does a fantastic job. One of the debates that it runs all the time is on 'School Uniforms or No School Uniforms?'. I welcome the Chair of the Education Committee's comments about listening to our young people. Every time I have been at one of those debates, the issue has been raised — from the mouths of children — that the negative is the cost.”
“<BR /> <BR />I, too, thank Save the Children, Action for Children and Barnardo's for continually pushing the impact of poverty experienced by children in the North. One in 10 children — I always push that figure — in the North of Ireland experiences poverty. When children go to the classroom, a place that should be exciting and dynamic and where they should have a hunger for learning, they should not be experiencing food poverty with nothing in their stomach. They certainly do not need the burden and fear of the cost of a uniform as well. <BR /> <BR />That is why it is so good that we are here today to reflect on the survey outcomes from parents. It does not take long for us to realise why the issue is so significant and such urgency is needed.”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for his comment. The debate is an opportunity for the Minister, hopefully, to commit to ensuring that families who struggle so intensely with financial pressures will have a sense of relief. Hopefully, the Minister will action that today. At the end of the day, motions are well intentioned and well meaning, but, without backing and commitment from Departments, there is little that we can do. <BR /> <BR />In the South, parents get €150 for primary-school students, which increases by 80% to €275 at post-primary level. In the North, the grant is, frankly, pathetic. We furnish our primary-school students with just £25·75, which, given inflation, will maybe buy a couple of polo shirts. That is embarrassing. We can do much better. It really is not enough.”
“In Wales, the grant stands at £125 for primary level, and there is a significant increase in year eight to £200 for years nine to 11, which, for any parent, is arguably the most expensive time, when they have to buy blazers, an entire new uniform, PE kits and more.”
“The SDLP supports the motion and amendment today, and we thank Members for tabling them. I am grateful that this issue is being discussed, as it has come up a significant number of times while canvassing for a number of elections <BR /> <BR />We support the motion and the amendment. I recognise that we in the North continually lag behind on grant support for uniforms. When we look at our neighbours in Scotland, England and Wales, it is clear that they are on a better course on the issue than we are. In Scotland, there is a uniform grant of £124 at primary-school level, which rises to £150 at post-primary. In England, there is a flat rate of £150 per student at primary and post-primary level.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I am mindful that it may lead to the need for additional resource for councils and dog wardens. In my council area, dog wardens finish at 4.00 pm throughout the week and are not available on weekends. Does that concern the Minister, and will he discuss it with local councils in the coming weeks?”
“It is important that we have conversations on reform. It has been a pleasure to contribute to the debate. I thank the Members for tabling the motion. We need reform of the institutions. In five of the past seven years, we have left constituents, workers and families with no answers and in significant financial distress. We have a mental health crisis. We talk at length about issues such as women's health and violence against women and girls, yet some Members cannot see how reform and those societal issues that each and every one of us is trying to fight and tackle every day are linked. I am at a loss to understand how that can happen. I thank Members for their contributions, and I urge them to support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Eóin Tennyson talked about the importance of root-and-branch reform, which the Ad Hoc Committee could look at, as it is important. Mr Nesbitt reflected on his time in opposition previously — there was a touch of nostalgia there — and his concern about the motion. Ms Armstrong touched on the importance of reform and said:”
“No, because I need to make some progress. <BR /> <BR />One of our main concerns is that the AERC has a number of issues to deal with, and we fear that reform might get eaten up among its other priorities. That is a concern for us. The public is watching us today, and we believe that it would welcome a Committee such as that proposed. <BR /> <BR />Pat Sheehan touched on reforming the institutions and mentioned fears around duplication of a Standing Committee. We have seen the votes from the DUP and Sinn Féin today. Again, I argue that they are not serious about talking about reform and working for all. Reform is necessary to instil that sense of hope not just in young people but in all people across Northern Ireland. The Committee's specific purpose would put that at the forefront of political discussion.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Should the motion not pass, what we will have seen from the DUP and Sinn Féin is that they are not committed to talking about reform. In the event that it does not pass, I would welcome Mr Buckley's comments and ask that we work collectively on the AERC, but, from our perspective, we believe that a more targeted Committee, with timelines, would be better suited to discuss reform.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention, but, as my colleagues stated, we previously published a number of things on reform. You can see from previous comments by a number of our representatives that we are extremely passionate about the issue. I welcome that Alliance shares that position. <BR /> <BR />Mr Buckley mentioned that the AERC could be utilised as a tool to discuss reform. A more targeted Committee, with specific aims, timelines and targets, would be beneficial.”
“I will touch on a few comments from Members.”
“I welcome the large number of contributions that I heard on reform. In my own time, chatting to constituents and speaking to young people, I have heard about their want for us on the hill to instil a sense of hope that the institutions can stand and work and that the parties in them can work together without collapsing or the ability to collapse them. We can and must use every tool that is available to us to prevent the suspension of the devolved institutions. We in the Opposition believe that the Ad Hoc Committee that our motion calls for is the best mechanism to create proposals that will lead to reform and options to end the veto and create legislative proposals. <BR /> <BR />The motion seeks to create an Ad Hoc Committee. We ask these questions. Why not now? If not now, when? If not this process, what?”
“The implications of inaction are far-reaching and affect not just the workers and their families but the very fabric of our society here in the North. We must represent the needs of workers within these four walls and we must not see another shameful collapse of these institutions. It is all interwoven and interlinked: let us not kid ourselves. It is time to invest in those who invest in us and recognise their worth with more than just applause. Let us come together to ensure that our nurses, bus drivers, junior doctors, teachers and others can live with the dignity that they deserve, reflecting the invaluable service that they provide to us all. Let us give them the pay that they so rightly deserve.”
“My constituency is very rural, so our bus routes are vital. <BR /> <BR />Those are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a broader crisis. Fair pay, in this context, is not just a demand: it is a necessity and it is about acknowledging the fundamental role that those workers play in all our lives and communities and ensuring that they can live with dignity and fair pay. It is about recognising that a society that undervalues its public-sector workers is a society that is at risk of losing them, which would lead to an unimaginable impact on our daily lives and future generations here in the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As we stand at this crossroads, the question before us is not whether we can afford to increase pay for our public-sector workers but whether we can afford not to.”
“<BR /> <BR />Articles published over the past two years paint a grim picture of the situation in Northern Ireland. For instance, a recent piece highlighted that over 60% of nurses in Northern Ireland are considering leaving the profession. I am the daughter of a nurse, so, over the decades, I have seen the level of stress that nurses are under and the hours that they are on their feet. A former nurse is an MLA in our Chamber. I talked before about the level of stress that our nurses are under and the long hours that they do. They deserve their pay for the job that they do: they are incredible, but they cannot afford to live on their current wages. Another report pointed out the alarming rates at which our bus drivers are their leaving jobs, leading to reduced services and impacting on the daily lives of thousands of citizens.”
“Things that were once considered mundane — a family outing, a small vacation or even a simple dinner out — have, in the eyes of so many, become luxuries that they simply cannot afford. Recently I was speaking with a constituent who said, "After a tough work week, you used to be able to go down to the pub, have a pint and talk it over with your friends, and that was it". Now, even going for a pint does not fit into their budget. That is the level of financial stress that we are seeing. This is not just about economics, it really is about those simple things: the quality of life and the mental well-being of our constituents — our workers — who should not be living to work but working to live so that they can have a high quality of life for themselves and their families.”
“That is why this place must honour them and deliver equitable pay awards and resolve all outstanding public-sector pay negotiations. That is why the SDLP tabled the motion. <BR /> <BR />The financial pressure that our workers face has taken a toll on their mental health. Recent studies have shown an uptick in anxiety, depression and stress among all public-sector workers, which directly correlates with financial pressures. Pressure is the key thing when we talk about the need for a pay increase. Our public-sector workers are under significant stress: the pressure is crippling, and it is crushing people. <BR /> <BR />That brings me to my next point, which is the sheer lack of simple pleasures for people.”
“Again, they are the very backbone of our healthcare system, and they work exhausting hours only to face financial instability. Our teachers, tasked with shaping the future of our children and young people, are being undervalued financially and are questioning their ability to continue in their vocation, as are our important classroom assistants. <BR /> <BR />Recently, I attended the picket line outside Rossmar School, which is a special school in Limavady, and spoke with classroom assistants there who detailed that they are working two or three jobs due to the level of financial stress that they are experiencing. When we see the level of care that they provide in that role, it is just crazy to think that they have to do that. We must see an uplift in their pay.”
“Our public-sector workers are the very backbone of this place. Our society could not and would not function without them. They are the very tapestry of our society. Our nurses, bus drivers, junior doctors, teachers and more are the threads that hold us together. Yet, in the face of a relentless cost-of-living crisis, they are being stretched to their limits. With inflation rates soaring, the value of wages has plummeted, leaving many unable to afford the basics of life. <BR /> <BR />Our healthcare staff, who are at the front line in saving lives, find themselves struggling to pay bills. Bus drivers who ensure our mobility and connectivity are forced to make hard choices between heating and eating. As was, rightfully, talked about earlier, junior doctors have had no choice but to go on strike.”
“I really, really welcome that, Minister. It is really fantastic news. Over the weekend, I spoke at length with survivors and victims of sexual violence, and, understandably, it was very triggering for them. How can we make sure that this never happens again and that there is never again a gap?”
“We in the SDLP stand firm in our call for immediate action to address the systemic failings in the sector. Every child, regardless of who they are, their diagnosis or where they come from, deserves a well-funded, well-supported journey through education to support them and enable them to fulfil their potential. I urge the Education Minister today, as I do at any given opportunity, to conduct the urgent review as soon as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />One issue that Mr McCrossan loves to touch on — I share his enthusiasm — is the lack of accountability in the Education Authority. That will be really interesting to consider over the coming months when we dive a little deeper into how we can best support our children with special educational needs. I welcome the opportunity to look into that further. <BR /> <BR />I thank ADD-NI, which I met last week to talk about the lack of investment in support services for children in Northern Ireland who have ADHD. We looked at how the lack of investment by our trusts in ADHD support and the lack of available support services can cause a lot of difficulty for pupils and lead to a lot of mental health issues. <BR /> <BR />We must address those challenges, and we must start today.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Absolutely. I recognise that, as we sit here today, so many pupils and families are waiting on assessments. We know that they will only add to the number of children with special educational needs, so the expansion of those buildings is necessary. <BR /> <BR />The present situation is marked by these systemic shortcomings: the inadequate capacity of our special schools, which I mentioned; limited access to education for children with special educational needs; and the delays and uncertainties surrounding assessments, which is a massive issue that I come across all the time. The pressure that that puts on the family setting can be extremely difficult to deal with.”
“If we look at the statistics, we see that they are absolutely staggering. Last August, 149 children with special educational needs and complex learning needs were left without a school. Let us be clear: that can never happen again. It is on each and every one of us. I am not a parent yet, but it is absolutely heartbreaking. Pat rightly said that children with special educational needs are not second-class citizens, so let us not treat them as such. <BR /> <BR />We know that almost 20% of our school population has a special educational need, so why are we not investing in those students? Why are we not supporting them and investing in their futures? Why are we not building sufficiently sized buildings to support their complex needs?”
“I have spoken with worried parents who have a child with learning difficulties, and they have touched on the fact that their child goes to a special school five days a week but that, after their time in school has finished, there will be barely any support in adulthood. There are gaps in group activities, which can lead to social isolation, but, thankfully, in my constituency, I have seen a number of groups, such as Destined in Feeny and Causeway Neurodiversity, that do an incredible job of filling those gaps and providing a sense of community for those with special educational needs. They are just brilliant. <BR /> <BR />I thank the parents at SEN Reform NI who have come together to work on the issue and who have shared their lived experiences. They have highlighted how vast the issue is and how dire the need and urgency are to fix it.”
“<BR /> <BR />We in the SDLP believe that the time for action is now. We call upon the Minister of Education to prioritise SEN reform, ensuring that every child, without exception, has the opportunity to reach their full potential in our education system here. We support the motion and the amendment, and I welcome the fact that it includes the dire need for more investment and support for the key year when SEN pupils transition from an education setting into society.”