Danny Baker
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. It is a fundamental right to give girls this choice, rather than allowing them it. Does the Member share my frustration with the DUP's position and that of the Minister? They have created a contradiction here. They are even shutting down the debate today by the Minister's not being here.”
“Does the Member agree that it shows the importance of the Education Committee and what we have done here, given that, clearly, by not even showing up today, the Minister has shown that he was never going to do this? He has sent a very clear message to all those young girls out there that he just does not do equality.”
“On Saturday, I was in Lisburn with a number of my colleagues to take part in a leaflet drop across Lisburn and Lagan Valley to promote our Assembly candidate and councillor Declan Lynch. Declan, his wife and mother and I were all subjected to intimidation and sectarian abuse by a number of loyalists.”
“Every Member of the Assembly must be able to go about their job without threats, intimidation or sectarian abuse. The people responsible for that type of behaviour want to drag us back in time. They want to divide us and want hate and fear to dominate, but they will not win.”
“Our commitment and that of Declan Lynch is to work for everyone in Lagan Valley, and that is what he will do every day. <BR /> <BR />I conclude with this: the silence from political leadership in that community is deafening.”
“The very modest ask from Caleb's cause was for the Minister to prioritise preparatory work towards legislation to support those children. That did not happen. In fact, that campaign was gaslighted. That is shameful. As we head towards summer, when families need a bit of respite, it is a postcode lottery when it comes to direct payments.”
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“Thank you for your answer. Will you confirm when the review of the priorities for youth policy will be completed?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for the continued positive working relationships between the Education Departments in the North and the South. <BR /> <BR />How exactly will children with special educational needs benefit from the introduction of the RAISE programme?”
“An independent autism reviewer should be appointed as soon as possible to oversee and review the implementation of the autism strategy. The Autism Act must be fully implemented without delay.”
“That is a welcome step in the right direction towards working collaboratively and in the interests of the autistic community, which is often left to bridge the gaps between professions in the sectors. <BR /> <BR />If we want a truly inclusive society, we need to develop an education system that meets the diverse needs of all children and young people. The best educational outcomes for autistic children will be accomplished when they are given the right support in the school environment and when teaching staff are given the right training and resources to achieve that. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I ask the Minister and the Department of Health, as the lead Department for the autism strategy, to ensure that the educational outcomes contained in it are implemented and measured with urgency.”
“However, no definite targets or resources have been allocated to ensuring the full implementation of that commitment on the ground. Furthermore, there have been no attempts to collect baseline data. For example, how much of our education workforce has had autism training so far, and what is the target for the next five years? We need to see quantitative as well as qualitative outcomes. <BR /> <BR />That said, it should be recognised that the autism strategy states:”
“One in 20 schoolchildren is diagnosed as autistic, which means that we need more staff to meet the needs of children and young people with autism and those staff should have appropriate training. The new autism strategy commits to:”
“Maybe it is time for a new approach to place children with special educational needs first. <BR /> <BR />It is also vital to recognise the hard work, dedication and commitment of parents, teachers and support staff, who are all doing their best to ensure that children and young people can access their education. Importantly, many schools are already engaged in good practice that is aimed at meeting the needs of children and young people with autism. For example, some schools take part in autism training provided by the Middletown Centre for Autism, the Autism Advisory and Intervention Service (AAIS) and Autism NI. However, it is time for autism training to be mandatory.”
“Many parents and carers feel that there is not enough support for autistic children and young people to thrive, resulting in poor attendance and reduced timetables or having to leave educational settings altogether. That lack of support has a detrimental impact on children and young people's education, health and economic outcomes. <BR /> <BR />Annually, there is a serious problem in allocating places for children with special educational needs (SEN), including autism. School placements for children and young people with special educational needs should be carefully planned throughout the year so that families are not facing last-minute uncertainty. The most vulnerable pupils, including those with autism, should have every opportunity to be placed in the school setting that can best meet their needs.”
“As an MLA for West Belfast, I know only too well the many issues that the autism community faces daily. I have worked with Shine, the Colin autism support group and Autism NI. The reason why I joined the all-party group on autism was to ensure that autistic children and adults are given the right help and support throughout their lives. I am also a member of the Education Committee, and, like everyone here today, I want to see every child and young person having the opportunity to achieve the best educational outcomes. <BR /> <BR />One issue that is regularly raised by constituents and support groups is the lack of practical support for autistic pupils in the classroom.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement and the fact that he is prioritising funding for special educational needs. Given the stress and anxiety that families and children with special educational needs face again this year due to issues with placements, will the Minister consider an approach that no longer leaves children outside the enrolment but actually places children with special educational needs first?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and actions. How were the eligibility criteria determined?”
“A few weeks ago, the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly met and discussed a range of issues including the horrors that are unfolding in Gaza. It called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Does the First Minister also acknowledge the importance of that forum?”
“<BR /> <BR />Mindful of the fantastic work that they do, it is essential that foster carers have access to support, guidance, resources, training and financial support. As Tory cuts continually let our children and young people down, our foster carers are on the front line, providing support, education and a safe and happy home. Let us commit today to ensuring that our foster carers are valued and supported and to working across party lines to deliver real change for our children and young people.”
“<BR /> <BR />The number of children and young people in care in the North is at its highest since 1995, and referrals are on the rise. A growing shortage of foster carers, however, is leaving them without safe, stable and loving support. There has also been an increase in the number of children who have been moved multiple times in the care system owing to the lack of available foster carers. It is a vicious circle. With fewer carers available, children and young people are more likely to experience multiple moves, which can cause long-lasting trauma and prevent them from having a safe and stable home. All of that takes place against a backdrop of an increase in children and young people with additional learning needs, some of whom also have physical disabilities, meaning that their care needs are a lot more complex.”
“<BR /> <BR />Supporting children and young people in building or rebuilding their self-esteem, resilience and social skills, as well as helping them recover from traumatic early experiences, is a key pillar of their development. Importantly, by giving children and young people a safe space in which to live, foster carers help to address wider social problems such as homelessness, poverty and drug and alcohol abuse. <BR /> <BR />Foster carers are also vital to supporting children and young people's unique educational requirements. There is a significant attainment gap between children in care and those not in care. A substantially higher proportion of children in care have special educational needs (SEN). Giving children and young people a regular routine and specific support can close that gap and help set them up for future success.”
“Foster carers play a hugely important role in the lives of children and young people across the North. Children and young people of all ages and backgrounds may need foster care at some point if they cannot stay with their birth family. For some, foster care will be a short-term solution, but, for others, it may last several years. Having to leave the family home for whatever reason is a traumatic experience, and some children and young people may also have experienced abuse or neglect. Foster carers can fundamentally change children and young people's lives for the better by providing them with a safe space and consistent care, helping them to develop their social and emotional needs.”
“Life just is not fair, but we can send a message today that we care, so I ask everyone to, please, support this important motion.”
“Baby loss is one of the most traumatic experiences that a person can go through in their lifetime. Pregnancy should be a time of hope, joy and excitement that is filled with memories for prospective parents. Unfortunately, for women who suffer miscarriage and baby loss, nothing could be further from the truth. The loss of a baby can have far-reaching impacts on the lives of not just the parents but the wider family. It is only right that the grief experienced by many should be acknowledged through a certificate scheme. <BR /> <BR />Many of my family and friends have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth, miscarriage or their babies passing away just days or weeks after birth. I know the love that they have for their babies and that they think about them every day. It is truly heartbreaking.”
“Poverty affects children's health and education and every aspect of their lives. We must remove barriers. That is why we must work together — Department across Department and party across party. We must put our shoulders to the wheel and stamp out child poverty. Much work is still to be done, and lessons must be learned. I call on the Communities Minister, as the Minister of the lead Department, to make this a top priority. I urge him to bring forward a timeline for an anti-poverty strategy. We must remain focused on addressing inequality in all its forms and on improving the prosperity and opportunities of all citizens, especially our children. That is our duty: to cherish every child equally and guarantee equal opportunities for all. That is the least that they deserve.”
“Working together, we can help to give every child the best start to life. It is clear that there is work to be done. Many children across the North live in poverty, and the impact that that has on our children has already been stated. Ensuring that children reach their full potential must be a top priority for all of us. Recently, the House passed a motion to make school uniforms more affordable, and we have prioritised tackling holiday hunger and called for the holiday hunger payments to be reinstated. We can make a difference to children and families when we work together across the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />Savage Tory cuts have attacked our must vulnerable. They have stripped key services from our schools and hospitals, affecting hard-pressed children and young people.”
“Why was there a delay in providing approval for the business case for non-teaching staff pay awards?”
“Can the Minister confirm whether all schools have been contacted in regard to establishing specialist provision for the 2024-25 academic year? If not, why not?”
“I also want it noted that none of that would be possible without the coaches who volunteer their time to give pathways to our young people to enable them to continue in sport. Well done to Ciaran Boyd, OB and all the lads.”
“I congratulate St Luke's Football Club's under-17 team on winning its fourth cup on Friday night. What makes that so special is that this is their first year competing as an under-17 outfit. St Luke's senior football team has been the cornerstone of the Collin community for decades, but, over the past number of years, it has seen a drop-off in numbers, with many talented young boys dropping out of football at 16 and 17. Last year, the club put out a call for young players to join a new under-17 team and was overwhelmed by the response. The team has not looked back since and has been involved in so many community projects from community clean-ups to graffiti removal. They are an absolute credit to our community and to their parents.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us commit to ensuring that our schools, community groups and youth clubs no longer have to support children by themselves. Let us commit to working across party lines to deliver real change for our children and young people. I urge the Education Minister, working alongside the Executive, to bring forward a plan to end holiday hunger and give our children every chance to flourish in life. It is the least that our children deserve. I ask Members to support the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />I commend the small businesses and community and youth groups that have gone over and above to ensure that children do not go hungry over the holidays. In my constituency, local groups, clubs and businesses are supporting schools, helping to give children a breakfast and ensuring that young people are ready to learn. Monkstown Boxing Club has been a shining example in the effort to support children and families. In the past year alone, it has supported many children and families by ensuring that they have meals during the school holidays. As Tory cuts continually let down our young people, our community, youth and sports groups have stepped up during the holidays to feed our children, educate them and ensure that they are safe and happy.”
“Working together across the Chamber, we can stand up collectively and fight back against the toxic Tory cuts that have pushed more and more children into poverty. We can help workers and families and ensure that they no longer have to choose either to heat their home or to feed their children. <BR /> <BR />During school time, schools work hard to take extra steps to ensure that children receive a meal. Some schools provide free breakfast clubs, and others have tried to extend free school meals where possible, but schools cannot do that themselves. Their efforts to feed children have resulted in higher expenses. Some principals have even paid for extra school meals from their own pockets.”
“Children and young people deserve the best start in life. As workers and families continue to face financial pressures, our most disadvantaged children are paying the price. Savage Tory cuts to vital programmes in schools, such as holiday hunger payments, Healthy Happy Minds, the Engage programme and extended schools, have targeted the most vulnerable children and young people. Along with the rising costs of school meals, uniforms and transport, those cuts have left workers and families in crisis. <BR /> <BR />We know that children who receive free school meals have lower attendance rates and are more likely to leave school without any GCSEs. We must do all that we can to support our most disadvantaged children, address inequalities and give them every opportunity to flourish in life.”
“I urge him to bring forward a timeline for the strategy's completion as a matter of urgency and to ensure that the recommendations made in today's report are considered as part of that process. The cost of not doing so is simply too high, both for those affected personally and for public services in the long term. <BR /> <BR />Poverty is a political choice, and we must be united in the commitment to eradicate it. We must remain focused on addressing inequality in all its forms and on improving the prosperity of and opportunities for all citizens, especially our children and young people.”
“I welcome the report from the NI Audit Office (NIAO) today on child poverty. The report outlines in detail that one in five children in the North is living in poverty. Children receiving free school meals are twice as likely to leave school with no GCSEs, and there are ongoing concerns around their school attendance. All evidence shows that children who grow up in poverty are more likely to experience health inequalities, have lower levels of educational attainment and to experience poverty as adults. <BR /> <BR />It is clear from the report that there is much work to be done to address the growing levels of child poverty and that there are lessons to be learnt as work continues towards finalising the anti-poverty strategy. It is vital that the Minister for Communities, whose Department is the lead on the issue, makes that a key priority.”
“The DVA highlighted its frustration that the number of vehicles that failed to attend a booking appointment in 2022-23 was the highest on record, at over 50,000. That is nearly a month's worth of bookings. While measures have been taken to increase capacity and tackle backlogs and the effort by the DVA staff must be commended, it is clear that the backlog still frustrates drivers and learner drivers across the North. My office will continue to support constituents who are struggling to get a booking, particularly those in need of an emergency appointment to get their vehicle taxed. I hope that the new sites and the recruitment will go some way to reducing people's frustrations and that they will help with the backlogs and waiting times across the North.”
“The increase in capacity was achieved through a range of measures, including the recruitment of additional vehicle examiners, the use of overtime to provide cover for leave and offering vehicle test appointments on Sundays and bank holidays when testing was not normally available. I thank staff, who have been working hard since the backlog began, as well as during COVID, to tackle the challenges that people face in getting MOT appointments. <BR /> <BR />We also heard in the Committee that further recruitment went live in February to fill the staff vacancies across the DVA's network of test centres. Meanwhile, the plan for the new test centre at Hydebank in Belfast is nearing completion. The construction contract for the second new test centre in Mallusk has been awarded, and that new test centre is expected to be open in 2025.”
“The lack of an MOT certificate will not necessarily invalidate your insurance, but it is important to check with your insurer. Many of my elderly constituents have needed help with the online booking system, especially if they needed an emergency MOT test because their tax was running out. My office has been more than happy to help in those situations, and we have managed to get constituents emergency appointments. <BR /> <BR />At the Committee last week, we heard from the DVA that it had conducted nearly 1·2 million vehicle tests last year, the highest number ever recorded. Last year, there were only seven days on which the DVA did not offer MOT appointments.”
“It is vital that the MOT backlog is addressed and that people are able to get their vehicles tested in a shorter time frame. Many people have been left frustrated when trying to get their vehicles tested since 2019, when cracks were found in 48 of the 55 vehicle lifts across the North. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused further delays. <BR /> <BR />My office, like the offices of many other MLAs, is dealing with complaints and has advised constituents on the best way to access an MOT test. Many constituents worry about being penalised because they do not have their MOT in time. It is worth stating that the PSNI has agreed that drivers whose MOT has expired will not be penalised provided that their vehicle is roadworthy, does not have an off-road notification declaration and is insured and a test appointment has been booked.”
“There needs to be a legal obligation along with support and guidance for schools from the Department. <BR /> <BR />The motion today is a step in the right direction. Let us work together to ensure that the voices of Rachel's family and the many parents who are out there are heard loud and clear and, most importantly, that we deliver real change to ensure that every child has free and accessible education and that their uniforms are affordable. Our children and our families deserve better.”
“That is not sustainable, and something has to give. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin wants to deliver real change for our children and families. It is clear that the uniform grant needs to be increased and expanded. It is unfair that the area with the highest level of deprivation in Britain and Ireland has the lowest uniform grant. We want the grant to be available to more families, and it should be increased to cover more costs. School uniforms need to be more generic and easier to access from more suppliers. Despite guidance from the Department that that should be the case, school uniforms are still unaffordable. We have to work with schools, teachers and boards of governors to make sure that the change that families, children and young people want to see is not only felt but delivered at every level of the education system.”
“Rachel, a mother of three, one of whom has additional needs, told me of the stress, financial pressure and outright worry that she and her husband face every year in getting their kids ready to go back to school and supporting them throughout the year. For her two daughters, who are in secondary school, the cost is frightening. The two blazers that the school requires cost £270. Then come the jumpers with the logo, shoes, skirts, shirts, ties and PE kits. All in, for the girls, the cost is nearly £800. Rachel's son, who is in primary school, not only needs his uniform but has additional requirements, such as ear defenders and sensory issue-friendly shoes, to make him more comfortable in the classroom, which total £230. All in, before a pen or pencil is bought, before transport and lunch costs, that family has spent £1,000.”
“It seems, however, that those ideas have been lost somewhere along the way. Year-on-year, parents are putting themselves into debt just to afford uniforms for their children. That cycle of debt is hard to escape. Families rely on credit union loans and credit cards to buy school uniforms, with the worry and stress of repaying that debt throughout the year, only for the cycle to repeat itself in the new school year. <BR /> <BR />To fully understand the challenges that parents face, it is important that real-life stories be heard in the Chamber. I will share a story from one of my constituents.”
“Education is our children's passport to the future, and we have to open the door for them to walk through rather than create barriers. A survey for Save the Children NI highlighted the fact that one in 10 children has missed out on school because of a uniform issue. That potentially means that 35,000 children and young people are missing school days because of uniform. Our children deserve better. Every child and young person has the right to an education, and, if cost becomes a barrier, the system is broken. <BR /> <BR />The cost of some school uniforms could easily match that of a designer outfit. School uniform is supposed to be the great equaliser, levelling the playing field for children and young people in our classrooms and promoting a shared identity and equality.”
“My question was asked and answered. Thank you.”
“Our education system should, at its core, operate on principles of equality and fairness, regardless of background or ability. We are at a critical meltdown point, and there are shelves filled with evidence from reports stating what needs to be done. <BR /> <BR />Let us work together to make sure that Alana and the many parents and children out there know that their voices are heard loud and clear. Most importantly, we should deliver the change that they deserve, ensuring that children have free and easy access to supports and that they can flourish and reach their full potential.”
“If there is delayed intervention in the early years of a child's development, families struggle to get their child statemented in time, thus impacting on their support in a mainstream school or their place in a special school. <BR /> <BR />The Children's Law Centre rightly takes the view that the majority of issues faced by families have been caused by the unlawful operation of the SEN legal framework and by process failings driven by chronic underfunding. Education in the North has been underfunded by a cruel Tory Government for far too long. There needs to be proper investment in our education system to ensure a needs-based delivery of services to children and families. Sinn Féin wants an education system that delivers for all.”
“Parents understand that, but the long waiting lists and the lack of cross-departmental working make it almost impossible. Parents do everything in their power to support their children, but many have to come out of work because the system is failing them. A cross-departmental approach would be a step in the right direction and a welcome change in the process. With the Health and Education Departments working in tandem, we can make a real change to the lives of children with special educational needs and disabilities. Educational teams, supported by health experts, will give those children the best possible start in life, because delays in early intervention have a clear knock-on effect on the next stage of their development.”
“There is limited capacity for new pupils, and we are nearly at the time of year when parents wait anxiously to see whether their child has been given a place that meets the child's needs. This year could be even harder for families. The fact is that many children are being offered places that do not meet their needs or, in some cases, have no offer at all. Some children with special educational needs in mainstream schools can end up on reduced timetables or can miss school altogether owing to transport issues. All children deserve the best possible education, and I thank all the school leaders, teachers and classroom assistants who work tirelessly for children with special educational needs while under immense pressures themselves. <BR /> <BR />Early intervention is key.”
“Already in a bad place from having to go through a broken system with her daughter, it was more daunting knowing that she had to go through it all again for her son, more worry and stress than anyone should have to deal with to get their child's basic needs met. That is only one story. Sadly, there are hundreds. Children deserve better. <BR /> <BR />Whilst policy, legislation and reform are of the utmost importance, we all need to remember that it is the families of children with special educational needs who are under pressure, and everything that we do must have them at the forefront. It is important that children, young people and families have a platform and that their voices are heard at every level of government. Capacity across our special education schools and in units in mainstream schools is at breaking point.”
“Alana's 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed aged 4 through her health trust, whereas her son was diagnosed privately aged 3. The fights, struggles and battles for support and services are soul-destroying. When she first applied for an assessment for her daughter, she was turned down. She appealed that decision. To her shock, with no further evidence, it was then approved. All the worry and stress in between could easily have been avoided. The struggle to get her daughter's statement within the 26-week period was difficult. She had to constantly chase up her application. The process left her feeling emotionally drained, and her mental health deteriorated due to that process.”
“I thank the Members who tabled this important motion. <BR /> <BR />A battle a day is what every parent of a child with special educational needs goes through in order to get any support. Parents are exhausted from the daily challenges and need us to be their voice and deliver real change. Children with special educational needs and their families are being failed by the current system. They are being left behind, and children deserve better. I have listened to families, worked with support groups and been left absolutely heartbroken by the experiences faced by families in our communities. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the real-life stories are heard in the Chamber. I will share a story from SEN Reform NI. It is Alana's story. She is the mother of two children with autism, aged 10 and five.”
“Does the Minister have plans to reinstate the school holiday food grant scheme and put it on a statutory footing?”
“Will the Minister provide an update on the Open Championship?”
“I support the Bill, but there are challenging times ahead, and we need to continue to work together to prioritise the needs of the public and to protect everyone from the cruel and shameless Tory cuts that we continue to face.”