Northern Ireland Assembly, 14 January 2014

314 contributions from 62 members. The official report.

Ministerial Statements

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I wish to make the following statement to the Assembly to formally launch the autism strategy 2013-2020 and accompanying action plan 2013-16. The all-party group on autism brought forward the Autism Bill, supported by parents and carers under the umbrella of Autism NI, which the House passed on 15 March 2011. The development of the autism strategy, which was led by my Department, as required by the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, is the first of its kind. It is a cross-departmental strategy addressing the whole-life needs of people, families and carers living with autism in Northern Ireland. The Act requires my Department, as well as leading on the development, to lead on the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the autism strategy, with other Departments obliged to cooperate. The work began in autumn 2011 and has culminated in the autism strategy and action plan, which I and my Executive colleagues approved for publication on 28 November 2013.

The successful development of the strategy and action plan can be attributed to the effective work of the multi-agency, multidisciplinary project board, coupled with the proactive input of the autism community throughout Northern Ireland. From the very earliest stages of development, the autism strategy project board engaged with and ensured the involvement of people, families and carers living with autism, as well as representatives from all Departments, Health and Social Care organisations and the community and voluntary sectors.

To inform the content of the strategy, a number of pre-consultation events were held across Northern Ireland in which people were encouraged to highlight individual and/or local community issues about services or gaps in provision for families living with autism.

I recognise and commend the effective role that the voluntary sector played in facilitating those events. Most importantly, we engaged with children, young people and adults with autism, as well as parents and carers, and that engagement was repeated when the draft autism strategy and action plan were issued for formal consultation. The public consultation engagement events were well attended, and those, along with questionnaire responses and submissions from a range of organisations, offered the opportunity for those closest to autism to comment on the draft document.

Departments worked to address as many of the issues highlighted in the public consultation feedback and responses as possible to produce the final version of the strategy, which is being published today. The autism strategy 2013-2020 and action plan 2013-16 outline the Executive’s commitment to improving services and support for people with autism and their families throughout their lives. These documents represent a major step in fulfilling the requirements of the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.

The prevalence of autism is a key element outlined within the strategy, and the document includes an assessment of the current position on data prevalence using data already held. New arrangements are being introduced in health and social care (HSC) trusts to monitor, record and collate autism-specific data in respect of children and adults living in Northern Ireland. A prevalence of autism subgroup is in place to take that forward. The strategy presents a high-level overview of the range of services and support available to people with autism and their families across a range of sectors and Departments. That will provide a baseline starting point for Departments when evaluating the strategy in the future.

I wish to recognise the substantial work that has been carried out along the way to where we are today by Health and Social Care, following the independent review of autism services in 2008. That work included the launch of the regional autism spectrum disorder network (RASDN) in 2009, chaired by Dr Stephen Bergin. RASDN's achievements include the development of specialist children’s autism services in every HSC trust and improved waiting times for diagnosis/initial assessment of children; the establishment of a regional autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coordinator post, with ASD coordinators and cross-agency operational groups in each HSC trust; the development and launch of 'The Six Steps of Autism Care' for children and young people in Northern Ireland and 'Autism: A Guide for Families' in October 2011; and the publication of the 'Autism Adult Care Pathway' in June 2012. These autism care pathways provide the basis upon which Departments can build and enhance a joined-up approach to autism service delivery.

This strategy sets out 11 key themes that are aligned to strategic priorities. They have been developed in accordance with articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and also form the basis of the action plan. The themes are awareness; accessibility; children, young people and family; health and well-being; education; transitions; employability; independence, choice and control; access to justice; being part of the community; and participation and active citizenship.

Some of the key deliverables from the strategy and action plan include: an autism awareness campaign, comprising a comprehensive training awareness programme for government front line staff and proposals for a wider public awareness campaign; planned improvements in accessibility to goods and services — for example, access to communication and information and to travel and transport services so that they better meet the needs of people with autism; support for families living with autism, including more access to information about support and services available within local communities; the establishment of a multi-agency autism advice service pilot in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, which will be a signposting and referral service and, I am happy to tell you, is being launched in Ballymena this afternoon.

Within Health and Social Care, we will concentrate our efforts on developing our adult autism services in parallel with reviewing and, where necessary, reconfiguring children’s autism services to meet increased demand. Within Education, the actions attributed to education sector bodies will assist in meeting the strategic priority of ensuring that children and young people with autism receive a high-quality education that prepares them for life and work and enables them to fulfil their potential. Within Justice, a new autism guide for criminal justice professionals will be developed.

An overview of the implementation approach and structures is outlined in the strategy. An autism strategy regional multi-agency implementation team is to be established and will coordinate and manage the implementation of the strategy on a cross-departmental basis. The group will be chaired by the regional autism coordinator, when appointed. This is a post originally funded by my Department within the Health and Social Care Board in 2009 to lead and manage the service improvement and regional coordination of health and social care autism services. Still within the HSC Board, the role is now broadened to include the additional responsibility of leading the implementation team to progress the strategy and action plan. The new post is being advertised this month.

The regional implementation team will be supported at a local and community level by subgroups. They include five local autism forums, the prevalence of autism subgroup and the Northern Ireland autism strategy research advisory committee. It is planned that the local autism forums will evolve from the reconfiguration of the established regional ASD networks, which historically were led by Health and Social Care. They will be strengthened to include relevant representation from all the key sectors. Effectively, they will be operational hubs responsible for implementing the strategy locally.

It is vital that we retain the voice of people with autism, their families and carers on operational issues. The establishment of five local autism reference groups, which will work in tandem with the local autism forums, should assist in achieving that aim. A prevalence of autism subgroup has responsibility for overseeing the requirement in the Autism Act for all health and social care trusts to provide data on the prevalence of autism, and they will continue to do so throughout the lifetime of the strategy. The group is chaired by my Department.

In April 2012, I requested the establishment of a research advisory committee to assist Departments as required with research findings and best practice on autism, relevant to the needs of their policy areas. I invited Dr Arlene Cassidy, chief executive of Autism NI, to chair this committee.

In November 2013, in addition to approving the autism strategy and action plan, I asked my Executive colleagues to commit their Departments to cooperate with the regional autism coordinator in the implementation of the strategy. I am encouraged that Executive colleagues have committed to the implementation approach and the monitoring and reporting structures and roles at strategic and operational levels. That will help to deliver the joined-up approach to autism services that the autism strategy sets out to achieve.

The regional coordinator will report to the interdepartmental senior officials group, which will report to me. As required by the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, I will lay a monitoring report on the implementation of the strategy before the Assembly at least every three years.

I know that you will agree and acknowledge that the plans envisaged in the autism strategy and initial action plan can be achieved only through the continuing commitment of Departments and other statutory bodies, working alongside people, families and carers living with autism, and in cooperation with the community and voluntary sector.

Within my Department, additional resources of £1·64 million recurrent from 2008-09 have been provided primarily for children's autism specialist services teams within health and social care trusts. Further investment of £250,000 in 2013-14 from the Health and Social Care Board has been made to commence development of adult autism services. Although it has not been possible to secure significant new or additional resources or investment in respect of the strategy and action plan, Departments and agencies are committed to making more effective use of available resources.

My Department has submitted a proposal to the Northern Ireland Executive advertising programme for 2014-15 to secure approval for funding to be set aside for a government advertising campaign with the aim of raising public awareness about autism. If approved, I will seek to have funding earmarked and provided for from within my Department's 2014-15 allocation. Providing the proposal is approved and the funding secured, the advertising will deliver an important element of an autism awareness campaign, as prescribed in the legislation.

I thank my ministerial colleagues for their cooperation to date and for the support that their officials continually provided to my Department throughout the development of the autism strategy.

My Executive colleagues and I remain committed to commissioning, developing and delivering services so that we can collectively maximise the potential, participation and inclusion of people with autism throughout their life and, at the same time, provide support and encouragement to them and their families.

I earlier acknowledged the vital role of the community and voluntary sector in the development of the autism strategy. Its continued collaborative input will be a key part of the strategy's implementation, too. By their nature, voluntary organisations constantly compete with one another to attract the support of members or participants, to generate income, to raise their public profile and to deliver a range of services and support, augmenting that which the statutory sector provides to their target populations. Autism is no exception, and there are a number of local organisations, branches and national bodies working with and for the autism community here.

As we move into the future, I very much hope that their energies and priorities are channelled even more towards cooperation and improving the lives of people with autism, their families and carers. As the development of the strategy has shown, working in tandem with the statutory sector, we can achieve so much more.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement, for his work on autism and for making it a priority in his Department. As the strategy is cross-departmental, will Executive Departments pool funding to implement it?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Member for the question. Departments have recognised the need for greater collaboration across agencies to deliver services for people with autism and their families. In striving to achieve that, Departments will endeavour to make more effective use of existing resources, and if additional investment becomes available for autism services, Departments and their service commissioners may, if appropriate, consider the possibility of pooling resources to deliver the joined-up priorities identified in the initial action plan.

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for the statement. I welcome the fact that Departments may pool resources, but given the importance of early intervention and multidisciplinary teams, with child psychologists, teachers, classroom assistants, parents and the community working together, what steps does the Minister plan to take with his colleague in the Department of Education, John O'Dowd?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

There are a number of Departments involved in helping us bring the cross-departmental effect to autism care, and the Department of Education is a key one. Its role includes committing to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society, including those with autism. That is a commitment that it has made. Since 2003-04, as the Member will know, an additional £17 million has been provided by the Department of Education to support various positive measures specific to autism. The establishment of the Middletown Centre for Autism in 2007 on a North/South basis provides support for children and young people with autism whose needs are more persistent, challenging and complex.

Of course, education does not stop at the age of 16. DEL also has an important employment role to play. That role includes supporting an increase in the number of people with autism entering all levels of employment and safeguarding the rights of people with autism already in work; increasing the opportunities for people with autism to attain skills and qualifications through access to appropriate training and lifelong learning opportunities; recognising that people with a barrier to participation such as autism can face multiple issues and therefore need additional personalised support; and supporting a social economy project to provide young people with ASD with two-year placements, where specialist staff can provide an all-encompassing and innovative pathway to employment.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I, too, thank the Minister for his statement. Key deliverables listed in the strategy and action plan include:

"An autism awareness campaign comprising a comprehensive training awareness programme for government frontline staff and ... a wider public awareness".

Will the Minister outline the extent of the training that will be provided for that and when he expects all front line staff to receive such training? He also mentioned a multi-agency autism advice service, which I welcome. However, when will every primary-school child be entitled to receive multi-agency support at every primary school, should it be needed?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Member for the question. Where schoolchildren are concerned, we are turning assessments around much more quickly than was ever the case before. We are seeking to ensure that children are assessed as quickly as possible — within a few months. That will greatly assist schools and other bodies in identifying needs.

We are establishing project teams that will have a responsibility for various areas to ensure that the appropriate training is applied. So, flowing from the Act in the first place, the strategy will create opportunities for that course of work to be done through the teams that are established under the strategy.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I very much welcome the Minister's statement, and I speak as a member of the all-party Assembly group on autism. We have come a long way from the times when we were talking about a Bill for people with autism. Like the Minister, I express my delight at the strategy and at the work that so many voluntary groups have carried out to get us to where we are today. Will the Minister assure the Assembly that appropriate services will be made available as soon as a child is diagnosed with autism? As a public representative, I find that people do not know where to go to get support in the initial stage. If we can overcome that, and if the strategy is put in place, I think that we will have cracked a lot of the problems. However, it is about getting the initial services that are needed early.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I do not deny that it can be hugely problematic for a parent who discovers that their child has autism to identify where to go next. Part of the awareness campaign will be about helping people to understand where they should go next. I should say that a total of 695 children were waiting for assessment in November 2013. Of those, 184 had been waiting in excess of 13 weeks and the rest for a shorter time. The board has made £305,000 available to help trusts to meet the target by March 2014 of having everyone seen within 13 weeks. However, it should be noted that there has been a rise in demand for autism services, so, given that rise, there remains a risk that the standard will be difficult to maintain. So, that is something that we have to keep a watching brief on.

I certainly think it important that, once people learn and it is confirmed that their child has autism, they need to know what the pathway is, as the Member quite rightly pointed out. A key HSC action in the autism action plan is to complete a regional validation exercise of children's and adults' autism care pathways by March 2014. When I receive and review those reports, and if various specific needs are identified, we can consider what actions should be taken thereon. So, I think that it should be of some comfort that that pathway will be established, hopefully by March 2014. That is certainly what we are aiming for.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

I, too, thank the Minister for his statement. He referred to a public awareness campaign that will be part of this launch and proposal. Will the Minister indicate how he plans to fund that public awareness campaign?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

As most Members will be aware, advertising is now dealt with centrally by the Northern Ireland Executive. We have to make a proposal to have funding approved through the Northern Ireland Executive's 2014-15 Government advertising programme. If we receive approval — and we are very hopeful that we will, given that it is part of the Act that we are to have that advertising campaign — I, as Minister of Health, will then have to consider whether we have sufficient funding in the Department to allocate to this element of the awareness campaign. Again, as it is part of the Act, it will be very difficult to resist. We are under considerable financial pressures. Nonetheless, this is very important to us. Therefore, we will be doing our best to ensure that we have a comprehensive advertising campaign that will adequately raise awareness of autism services.

Jonathan Craig (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I welcome the Minister's statement. It is a big step forward in the implementation of the legislation. I also pay tribute to the all-party group that brought it forward. Who will be responsible for ensuring progress on the implementation of the strategy and the achievements made under it? Strategies are OK, but, if they are not implemented, they have no effect.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I reinforce the Member's comments about the all-party working group. It might not have been quite "all-party" but all parties were welcome. Mr Bradley chaired it, and Mr McCarthy, Mr McCrea, Mr Easton and the Member who has just spoken were all key players in ensuring that the Autism Act 2011 was passed. Although there was resistance to it, it was the right thing to do given the number of young people with autism. Around 2·6% of boys have been diagnosed with autism. Fewer girls have been diagnosed but, nonetheless, a very significant number of young people have autism. It is an illness and a condition that we have been coming to terms with and trying to understand over the past 20 years. It is only in more recent years that we are really beginning to understand it well and identify potential solutions to the many problems it throws up.

The Act stipulates that my Department will lead on implementation. In my statement, I outlined the role and remit of the regional autism coordinator and the other implementation and reporting structures. A regional multiagency implementation team, chaired by the regional autism coordinator, will direct, coordinate and manage the implementation of the strategy and action plan. However, each Department and its agencies will be responsible for implementing, whether on an individual or joint basis, the aspects of the strategy and action plan that are relevant to them. All Ministers will need to be held to account for their role in carrying out those activities.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister and apologise to the House for not being in the Chamber when the Minister began his remarks. I will focus on the role of the regional coordinator. Notwithstanding the Minister's comments about Executive colleagues and their departmental commitments, how will the role have real teeth in pushing the other Departments to make this an effective cross-departmental strategy in the spirit of the legislation given that it is funded solely by the DHSSPS?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The teeth come from the Ministers. It is a matter for me to persuade other Ministers of their responsibilities on autism. I have not been pushing at a closed door; I have been pushing at an open door with my ministerial colleagues If there are issues or problems in a Department in providing the services, it is a matter for the relevant Minister to ensure that things are changed and that the actions are carried put properly. If Members identify such issues, they should raise them with the relevant Minister, and it is for that Minister to ensure that the proposals and actions committed to are seen through.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is a very exciting development, and I am very pleased that the Northern Health and Social Care Trust is launching a pilot adult autism advisory service this afternoon in the Braid in Ballymena. It is a fluid pilot project and will evolve over time. It will learn as it goes along. Officials from my Department will meet policy leads from the other UK jurisdictions in Scotland this Thursday to learn and share experiences specifically in that area, and, in addition to the Ballymena pilot lead, we will join officials for two site visits to one-stop shop models that exist in Edinburgh and Dunfermline.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I begin by apologising to you, Mr Speaker, and the House for arriving shortly after the Minister began his statement.

I have been impressed by the commitment of the Minister, his officials and the voluntary sector to shaping the cross-departmental strategy on autism, and I thank the Minister for that commitment. Indeed, today, he ended on a very strong note when he looked to the future and said that he expected his colleagues, like himself, to:

"remain committed to commissioning, developing and delivering services so that we can collectively maximise the potential, participation and inclusion of people with autism throughout their life".

The Minister also referred to the discussion on pooling resources. In light of that, is the Minister now prepared to push his Executive colleagues to establish a cross-cutting budget to provide for the services and actions of the strategy?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Member for his kind comments; I am always impressed by how we come together on issues such as this. On issues that affect vulnerable people, the Assembly very often steps up to the mark and demonstrates that we are an Assembly that cares about our public and wants to act in the best interests of the people we serve.

I outlined the role of the Department of Education and the Department for Employment and Learning, and, in responding to Mr Bradley's question, I should perhaps identify some of the roles of some of the other Departments. For example, the Department for Regional Development has a role in updating the guide 'Travel Safe' with help from the Autism Network NI. There will also be a new Translink access guide for disabled users and funding for the transport buddy scheme, which will use volunteers with autism.

The Department of Justice has a role in working with my Department on the Mental Capacity Bill, including actions in the justice system to take account of people with hidden disability such as autism. It encourages reporting of disability hate crime and supports victims, including those with autism, and ensures that people with autism are treated equally by the law, have access to justice and can live safely in their own community. The DOJ autism working group, set up in 2012, has produced an autism guide for criminal justice professionals and a training model for criminal justice organisations.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, through promoting greater awareness about autism, seeks to improve access to culture, arts and leisure activities for people with autism and their carers to enable fuller participation in local activities and to enhance their quality of life. For example, the Armagh Planetarium has catered for groups with ASD and their families by providing bespoke shows. Museum staff are trained to support children with ASD during their visits, and operating hours can be adjusted for groups. Recently, libraries have been providing for people with special needs, including having speakers with information about autism. Northern Ireland Screen is updating its disability action plan, addressing a training programme and putting signage at offices to help persons with autism.

The Arts Council has committed itself to delivering bespoke autism and ASD awareness training to all staff.

The Department for Social Development provides supported independent living options for people with autism. Through its Supporting People programme, people with autism or people who have family members with autism will be able to apply for assistance to allow for adaptions to meet their needs. DSD provides advice and support to all disabled claimants, including those with autism, and it will address the impact of welfare reform on people with disabilities. The Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has responsibility for the themes and strategic priorities in the Executive's disability strategy, 'A strategy to improve the lives of people with disabilities 2012 - 2015', and a number of other policy development areas.

That gives you a flavour of the range of things that we are doing across Departments. Whether we can pool all that into one area that is related to autism or whether it is better kept a little more disparate, with each Department focusing on its own key areas but having that constant monitoring role that I have to provide to the Assembly every three years, remains to be seen. Let us move forward as proposed here, and if it is not working correctly then we can readdress it and seek to change it. However, we will consider pooling money at a future point. At this point, we need to continue to make progress, while considering how we can do things better if we identify that that is the case.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I, too, thank the Minister for his statement, and I will follow the trend by apologising for being late for the beginning of his statement.

The public awareness campaign is very important because there is often a perception that only children are affected by autism and that they may grow out of it or whatever. Does the Minister agree that it is important for his colleagues in DSD and DEL to be very aware of that situation? Adults being migrated from incapacity benefit to employment and support allowance (ESA) who are going for work-focused interviews often find it very difficult to articulate their situation. Does the Minister agree that it is important for his colleagues in DSD and DEL to be very aware of that situation?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I do not know whether Members all slept in this morning, whether we should blame Minister Kennedy for not having the roads well enough gritted or what the score is.

I accept what the Member says. It is important to recognise that autism is not something that ends at 18. For many people who are now adults, autism continues to be an issue and a problem for which they need support. In some instances people need care, and in many instances they need help. Department for Employment and Learning staff and, indeed, DSD's Social Security Agency staff provide an outreach officer for improving benefit uptakes. The Northern Health and Social Care Trust representatives and DEL, through the Northern Regional College, will provide careers advice or student finance input. Things are being done to ensure that that is the case. Some of them are in the very early developmental stages, and that is something that we will need to continue to work on to ensure that adults with autism receive the appropriate support. Often that will be within existing resources and structures but with a better knowledge of the needs of people with autism.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

I, too, welcome the statement. We have come a long way since we started even discussing the possibility of an autism Bill. Maybe it is not the Members who are late; maybe, for a change, the Minister is early. We will not argue about which one is right or wrong on this occasion.

On a number of occasions in his statement the Minister referred to the regional coordinator, who will report to the interdepartmental senior officials group, which will, in turn, report to the Minister. The Minister will be aware that time and again in the all-party working group we hear of people who have slipped through the gaps. Unfortunately, that happens more often than not. Can the Minister assure the House and, indeed, people who have family members affected by autism that the work that he has referred to the House today will try to ensure that people who have been slipping through the gaps will be picked up and will not be allowed to slip any further?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I cannot stand in the House and give a guarantee that that will happen in every instance, unfortunately. However, I think that, as a result of the launch of the strategy today, people will be much better informed in the future, and, consequently, considerably fewer people will slip through the gaps. That is very important. We will all have a role in that information flow. I expect that, even as MLAs, we will all have a role, because we will have people calling into our offices to find out information. It is important that we, as Members of the Assembly and as constituency representatives, fully understand the services that are available and ensure that those services are made available to members of the public who seek our help with family members who have autism. So we all have a role to play in ensuring that as few people as possible slip through the gap. This is a very important step in the right direction today.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Le do chead, a Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom ráiteas a dhéanamh ar mo chinntí ar na sé mholadh forbartha do sholáthar iarbhunscolaíochta neamhroghnaithí, agus iad don chuid is mó ag freastal ar oirthear Bhéal Feirste. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I wish to make a statement on my decision on the six development proposals for non-selective post-primary provision that are aimed largely at serving east Belfast. There has been significant interest in the proposals, and the proposed changes are of such significance for the east Belfast area that I felt it was important that I formally report my decisions to the Assembly. The purpose of the statement is, therefore, to inform you of my decisions and the reasoning behind those decisions and to outline the next phase of area planning in that area.

(Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Beggs] in the Chair)

As Members may be aware, the Belfast Education and Library Board and the South Eastern Education and Library Board published six development proposals affecting seven post-primary schools in the east of the city and Holywood. The purpose of the proposals is to reshape controlled secondary and controlled integrated provision, largely for the east Belfast area, to meet changing demographics and the future needs of the area.

The area covered by the proposals includes inner-city and suburban Belfast east of the Lagan from Newtownbreda to Holywood, as well as Dundonald. The area straddles the boundary of two separate administrative bodies, namely the Belfast and South Eastern Boards, but it forms a distinct planning area for the provision of post-primary non-selective education. There are 12,700 post-primary pupils currently attending schools in the greater east Belfast area. The proposals will directly impact on around 3,500 pupils attending the seven schools affected.

The significant issues raised in the proposals have clearly highlighted the need for area planning. In particular, it has become evident that managing authorities need to coordinate their activities and ensure that related and interdependent development proposals are brought forward at the same time. That will provide clarity for everyone on the proposals and the impacts and will enable a holistic consideration of the area solution and proposed changes.

In bringing forward the development proposals, the boards have rightly highlighted their responsibility to deal with immediate issues such as underachievement, raising standards and closing the gap, budgetary constraints, surplus places and poor accommodation. However, it is important that administrative boundaries do not impede coordinated planning for a distinctive geographical area such as east Belfast. At the centre of the process must be decision-making in the best educational interests of children and solutions that can be implemented in a manageable manner.

As Minister, I have the responsibility of scrutinising proposals presented to me from the perspective of the pupils and the communities that they are designed to serve. The proposals put to me for consideration in this case are these: to amalgamate Newtownbreda and Knockbreda High Schools; to close Orangefield and Dundonald High Schools; and to increase the size of Ashfield Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools and Priory Integrated College in Holywood.

As I have already stated, the scale and impact of the proposed changes are significant. They reflect the need to restructure provision in the area to best meet the future educational needs of the population. I take this opportunity to commend the Belfast and South Eastern Boards for the work that they have undertaken to identify the issues and develop proposals for change. Both have recognised that change was necessary, because the young people of the area deserve to have high-quality education that will improve and enhance their life opportunities.

As I have said, east Belfast straddles the boundary between the Belfast and South Eastern Education and Library Board areas, and there is significant movement of pupils between the two planning authorities. This in itself presents a set of unique challenges for the two boards, challenges that would be easier to manage if there were a single planning authority as envisaged through the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority. In advance of ESA, it is my view that the only way forward is for the two boards to engage in high levels of collaboration and constructive coordination to ensure that proposals take account of the needs of all the young people in the area. When all is said and done, the proposals will set a pattern of education provision to serve this community for the foreseeable future and most certainly for at least the next 20 years. In assessing the proposals, I must have confidence that the changes represent the best solution for the pupils in the area and are coordinated, robust and future-proofed as far as possible. For a number of the proposals presented, the evidence for my decision was unequivocal. However, for others, I believe that further work is required, and, that being the case, I am not in a position to approve them at this time. I will ask the two planning authorities to jointly reconsider a number of issues and come back to me with more compelling evidence, and I will look at the new proposals with an open mind.

I turn to the decisions and, firstly, the amalgamation of Newtownbreda and Knockbreda High Schools. Enrolments at Knockbreda have steadily declined from 574 in 2007-08 to 395 in 2012-13. This is significantly below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 set out in the sustainable schools policy. The performance of both schools at GCSE level has been significantly below the average. However, there have been some signs of improvement in recent years. The amalgamation proposed will result in a school of around 1,000 pupils. I have decided to approve this proposal. I believe that it will provide the opportunity for the development of a viable and sustainable school. This will be a new school focused on improvement and addressing the issues faced by both schools in the past. Initially, this school will operate on a split site. When the time comes to consider a newbuild, I will require the South Eastern and Belfast Boards to work together to determine the most appropriate location for the new school to best serve the local population. Schools should be in the heart of the communities that they serve and be easily accessible for all pupils. The amalgamation will take place from September 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter, depending on the arrangements needed to give effect to this amalgamation. I want planning to start now to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements. My officials will work closely with the South Eastern Education and Library Board to ensure a managed transition.

My next decision relates to Orangefield High School. The sustainable schools policy is clear: the core issue for a school’s sustainability must be the continuing provision of high-quality education for the pupils. As enrolments in a school fall, the number of challenges that it must overcome to provide a high-quality education rises. With only 92 pupils remaining in Orangefield High School, it has declined to such an extent that it is no longer feasible to delay its closure. Regrettably, this is an example of where it has been left too late to turn the situation around. Again regrettably, the only reasonable option available to me regarding the future of Orangefield High School is to approve its closure from 31 August 2014. In making this decision, I have advised the Belfast Board of the need for it to work closely with any schools that will receive Orangefield High School pupils to produce an action plan for improvement in outcomes in public examinations.

I turn now to the future of Dundonald High School. I have considered very carefully the proposal that the school should close and can see many reasons why this would be, as is the case in Orangefield, an appropriate course of action. However, I believe that a case exists to explore a very different solution for Dundonald and its young people. Dundonald is a large urban area with a significant population of school-age children. There is no other inclusive post-primary school close by. From my engagement with local representatives, it is clear to me that it is a community whose young people need and should rightly expect to be able to access good-quality secondary education. It is equally clear that that has not been happening. The provision in Dundonald High School has, quite simply, not been good enough. Although the last follow-up inspection, which took place just a couple of months ago, highlighted some modest improvement, it painted a graphic picture of low attendance, low attainment and low aspirations. However, the school is in the right geographical location: the young people are there, and the community, like all communities, needs and deserves a good school. Therefore, on this occasion, I have decided not to accept the proposal for closure. Dundonald High School will remain open.

For the school to flourish and its young people to achieve to their full potential, however, it is clear that attitudes, expectations for pupils' attainment and provision will need to change. My Department and the South Eastern Education and Library Board will play their part in delivering the change that is necessary. That will not be easy — we will not be able to do it without the help of the community — but we are prepared to do our utmost. The South Eastern Board will use the opportunity presented by the current reconstitution exercise to reinvigorate the school's board of governors in the coming months, ensuring the appointment of people with the skills necessary to deliver progress on an extremely challenging agenda.

A recruitment process will commence shortly to appoint a permanent principal, a visionary leader capable of providing clear strategic direction who is accomplished at raising and sustaining achievement, can demonstrate a proven track record of supporting teaching and learning and sets high standards and expectations for all the young people. The South Eastern Board, supported by my Department, will put in place an intensive support programme designed to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom, the quality of leadership and management at all levels and the educational experience of pupils. However, that alone will not be enough. For Dundonald High School and its young people to flourish, the support of the community and its elected representatives will be necessary. I have met many from the community who made the case for the school to remain and been impressed by their passion, enthusiasm and determination. I have listened, but my decision does not mean that they have achieved their goal. That goal cannot be merely to sustain a school; rather, it has to be to sustain a good school, one that is characterised by excellent leadership, by high-quality teaching and learning, by high expectations for pupils' attainment and by the support that it receives from its community.

Therefore, to the people who called on me to keep Dundonald High School open, my message is simple: your campaign is not over; it has just begun. Show me and, more importantly, the young people in your area that you are serious about demanding a high-quality education and are determined to stamp out inadequacy and to raise achievement and expectations for your young people. Show that you value and believe in what the young people of Dundonald can achieve. My Department and the South Eastern Board will play their part, and you must play yours. This is the beginning of a journey, and I do not expect that it will be an easy road to travel.

The proposals for the expansion of Ashfield Boys' High School, Ashfield Girls' High School and Priory Integrated College are aimed at covering the northern end of east Belfast. However, I am not convinced that the proposal for Priory Integrated College provides part of the solution for the greater east Belfast area, as it largely serves the north Down area, so I will deal with it separately.

The proposed additional 490 pupils at the Ashfield schools represents a large increase and would have a significant impact on other schools in the area. Neither of the schools has spare places, although both were undersubscribed for year 8 first preferences in the current year, 2013-14, and some previous years. There is also a significant number of unfilled places in other controlled schools in the Belfast Board and South Eastern Board areas. The proposed sixth form increase at both schools amounts to 255 places, resulting in a combined sixth form capacity of 400 places. Such large increases in sixth form provision would also impact on other schools in the area.

I carefully considered the Ashfield proposals in the wider context of the whole east Belfast area. The area plans for both the Belfast and the South Eastern Boards indicate that expansion in several post-primary schools in the areas is anticipated. However, there is insufficient evidence that a proper, coordinated, strategic examination of sixth form provision that includes the grammar and integrated sectors has been undertaken. Taking that into account, I have concluded that I am not in a position to approve the proposals at present. I want to see a coherent set of proposals from the boards that reflect the longer-term needs in the area, particularly for sixth form provision. I believe that the proposals as currently structured are premature, and further work is required to ascertain exactly what provision is needed to meet the needs of pupils in the area in years 8 to 12 and in sixth form. I need to have an understanding of the total area solution proposed before making decisions on individual proposals. I believe that the Ashfield schools have the confidence of the community that they serve, and I want to get it right so that that confidence remains. There will be change, just not at this time.

Finally, I considered the case for Priory College. As I have previously stated, on the basis of the demographic information presented, the school is not a natural provider for pupils from the east Belfast area. It has a catchment area that largely covers north Down, but its proximity to east Belfast means that decisions taken for either area will have ramifications for the other. So, it cannot be totally divorced from the overall pattern in the area.

The school contends that it is currently capped below the level set out in my Department's sustainable schools policy and should be afforded the opportunity to grow to that level. The proposal is to increase the enrolment at Priory College to 600, which would allow the school to grow to the sustainable schools policy’s minimum enrolment for an 11-to-18 school. The actual enrolment figures point out that the school is currently undersubscribed in first preferences. There has been no substantive growth in overall enrolment in years 8 to 12. There were 425 pupils enrolled in 2008-09, compared with 430 in 2012-13. There has, however, been growth at sixth form.

As with my decisions on the Ashfield proposals, the issue of the number of sixth-form places in east Belfast and neighbouring areas needs to be considered strategically by the South Eastern and Belfast Boards. Provision at Priory may form part of that consideration. I looked closely at the issues raised in the proposal and took account of my duty to encourage and to facilitate integrated education. I want to give the school the opportunity to demonstrate that there is a need to provide for unmet demand for integrated education in the area. I have therefore decided to approve the proposal but with a modification. I am approving a modified enrolment of 500, with a year 8 admission number of 100. That will enable the school to grow over time to a sustainable level, if the demand materialises.

Some will say that the school is capped below the sustainable schools level for an 11-to-18 school. To that I say this: I want to see a managed increase from year 8, which is why I am setting an admissions number of 100. That is necessary to preserve the balance between the lower school and the sixth form. If I see a marked increase in the lower school within three years and should the demand for places require any further increases, I will happily consider a further development proposal from the board at that stage. It will be for the South Eastern Board to keep the situation under review to ensure that the enrolment number is fit for purpose. I will watch with keen interest how the school develops.

I have outlined to you my response to the proposals that have been presented to me. I know that you will want time to consider this in more detail, so I will place on my Department’s website a copy of the full submission on which my decisions were based.

Turning to the next phase for east Belfast, I have made it clear that area planning applies to all publicly funded schools. No sector can be planned for in isolation, and no publicly funded school can remain outside the process.In the case of east Belfast, I believe that an opportunity was missed when all publicly funded post-primary schools were not brought into the equation and subsequent planning process. In such a radical overhaul of school provision, I expect the planning authority to ensure that all school types have been factored in to its considerations. For that reason, I emphasise that I see these decisions as very much the first phase of reshaping provision in the area.

The next stage of planning for east Belfast will be led by the Belfast and South Eastern Boards, which will work closely with all other sectors and with my Department to ensure that there are adequate places for the area in years 8 to 12 and at post-16.

My officials will meet the boards to discuss the details of how they will progress my priorities for the next phase of the development of post-primary provision to serve the area. I want that done urgently to ensure that there are adequate places, in the right location, to meet future demand. On foot of that work, further development proposals will be published.

Although some schools may be disappointed by these decisions at this time, my decisions do not rule out further changes following additional analysis and consideration of all the options by the two relevant boards.

Although east Belfast is a unique area, I expect that the lessons learned from this area-specific work will inform the future area-planning work of all our education boards.

It is clear that area planning is complex, multifaceted, and requires coordination, discussion and pragmatism. The planning authorities need to bring forward interrelated and linked development proposals that clearly set out the overall proposals for any area for all concerned. All publicly funded schools must be accounted for in area planning. Only by doing that can we properly assess the impact on the lives of our young people.

Is soiléir ó na moltaí atá agam go bhfuil mé ag dúil le réitigh cheantair. I gcás nach mbím sásta go bhfuil na moltaí ag dul chun leasa na ndaltaí i gceist, beidh tuilleadh oibre de dhíth.

I have given a clear indication through this set of proposals that I expect area solutions. Where I am not satisfied that the proposals are in the best interest of the pupils concerned, I will require more work.

Tá na cinntí seo ró-thábhachtach le láimhseáil ar dhóigh ar bith eile. Is í an óige ár dtodhchaí. Tuillean siad togha an oideachais, agus ba mhaith liom a bheith ró-shoiléir go bhfuil tús áite ag daltaí ní ag institiúidí.

These decisions are too important to do otherwise. Our young people are our future; they deserve the best possible education. I want to make it absolutely clear in finishing that pupils, not institutions, must come first.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his statement. I also thank him for the time he gave to me and the vice-Chair this morning to meet him and discuss the statement.

Following the confusion and the regrettable way in which the then proposed closure of the Orangefield High School was handled, I thank the Minister for coming to the House today and, at least, setting out a road map for the future. The Education Committee will be relieved that some clarity and certainty has been given and provided on the provision of controlled post-primary provision in east Belfast and south Belfast.

The delays and failure to consult effectively, the contradictory messages from one of the education and library boards, and the lack of coordination between the boards, which have characterised this process, are not acceptable. I know that the Minister is planning to revise the guidance on development proposals. Does the debacle in respect of Orangefield High School, and the poor coordination of sometimes conflicting proposals, prove that the development proposal process does not sit well with current area planning? Does the east Belfast experience show us that it is time for a more fundamental review of the way in which we consult on the reorganisation of our schools and bringing forward new development proposals?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Chair for his comments and question. I do not agree with his description of this as a debacle. Clearly, lessons have to be learned from it. When you are dealing with parents and pupils about educational future, you have to ensure that you are approaching them with correct and accurate information, that they are given that information in a way that they fully understand, and that they are aware of what steps will be taken next.

I want to thank the two boards. Yes, mistakes were made, but the two boards recognised that changes had to be made in this area, and they brought forward proposals. I called on them, during my statement and in engagements with them, to ensure that lessons were learned from this. The six development proposals should not have been brought forward as individual proposals; they should have been brought forward collectively, following intense engagement between the boards. However, lessons have been learned. As I said in my statement, although east Belfast is a unique geographical area, lessons can and will be learnt for other such significant development proposals that come forward in the future.

The Member alluded to the fact that I am reviewing guidance on development proposals. Development proposals are fit for purpose for area planning if the process is used properly, there is openness and transparency throughout and everyone is fully briefed on the way forward. Where lessons need to be learnt, I assure the Member that they will be learnt from the experience.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I, too, welcome this morning's statement. I welcome the announcement about Dundonald High School. The Minister is taking a chance and giving the people of Dundonald a chance. How can the school and community best grasp the opportunity that has been given to them?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

In my last meeting with staff and supporters of Dundonald High School in the school, my parting words to them as I left the meeting were that, if I agreed to keep the school open, their challenge was only starting. Today, their challenge starts. They deserve and require the support of my Department, the board, local elected representatives and the broader community to ensure that Dundonald High School not only stays open but does so as a very good school that each and every one of them can be extremely proud of. That can be achieved.

I deliberated long and hard about this decision. It is not a change of tack in how I view sustainable or unsustainable schools. I have always said in the Chamber that each school has its own characteristics and story to tell. I am not fixated on numbers regarding the sustainable schools policy. The people of Dundonald, the school and its elected representatives have convinced me to keep the school open. Now, they need to convince the community of Dundonald that they can and will build an excellent school in that area. They have the capacity to do so.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister. I will focus on the Newtownbreda-Knockbreda proposal. Some of the drivers are clearly around dwindling school population and performance. The Minister pointed out the falling roll at Knockbreda, but he did not reflect the growing population at Newtownbreda. He focused on the improvements in both schools. In that context, one might expect Newtownbreda to remain. Why, then, is he effectively and administratively recommending not the amalgamation but the closure of both and the replacement of both with a new school?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

It is a procedural matter. It is how the proposals come forward to me from the board. It is only a procedural matter. This is about a new beginning for the pupils served by both those schools. I am not interested in the institution or its name. I said that all along. Indeed, in the closing remarks of my speech, I said that this is not about the institution; this is about the pupils our education system is there to serve. If we bring together those two schools under a new beginning, we are delivering a new beginning for the pupils they serve in that community. We will provide a sustainable good school for the future.

I had to announce the closure of Orangefield today. If an intervention had been made in Orangefield several years ago and plans had been put in place for its sustainability, I would not have the unfortunate job of standing here today and closing the school. This is about long-term planning and sustainability and serving the needs of schools. I congratulate all those involved in providing education in institutions, but if an institution has to close, amalgamate or come together with another school to provide good education, that is the best way forward.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister, and I welcome his decisions today. It shows that it is important to listen to the communities and that, particularly in Dundonald's case, the geographical and demographical needs in that area need to be listened to. He has done so. Will the Minister make sure that, in future, boards work more together, maybe instead of ESA? It seems to be a better way forward. Will he ensure that development proposals and decisions are properly and thoroughly worked through, almost to the point at which each child's future in which school is known?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

It is crucial that boards work together in the absence of ESA. I do not believe that it is preferable to, or a better way forward than, ESA, but it is crucial that boards work closely together in its absence. Despite a number of hiccups in part of this process, the boards are now focused on working together. They clearly recognise the significant cross-fertilisation of pupils back and forth between the boards and the need to provide sustainable education; that one board cannot do it on its own; and that they have to plan together. That is moving forward.

As to listening to the views of the community in Dundonald, I was extremely impressed by the people who I met who were in support of Dundonald High School. That is not to say that I was not extremely impressed with schools that I have closed in the past. I have said to the Member previously that I often have to judge whether the intervention by a community support group, or its action, has been on time. It was just on time in Dundonald — just on time.

The motivation, energy and determination among the parents, community activists and senior teaching staff who I met was clear. They now have to sustain that, and there will be good days and bad days. They will need support through both critical and supportive actions and words from my Department, from me, from the board and from elected representatives. The hard work continues and intensifies from today. I think that they have the potential to do it, but there are still a few hard days ahead for them.

Judith Cochrane (Alliance, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for bringing the statement to the House today. I know that it has been long awaited by pupils, staff and parents alike. I welcome the decision on Dundonald. If pupils are to realise their full potential, they need to attend the school, and we have seen a real improvement in that. There has been a better atmosphere over past months, and I pay tribute to the staff and community for that.

I have a question on the closure of Orangefield: given the Minister's decision not to increase the numbers in Ashfield at present, how can we ensure a smooth transition for those pupils from Orangefield, especially those who are currently in their exam years?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have asked the boards to specifically engage with the parents and pupils who will be departing Orangefield to work with them in the provision of their new school. I have no authority to determine which school those pupils will attend: it is still down to parental preference and available spare capacity.

I do not believe that keeping Orangefield open would have benefited in any way the educational provision for those pupils that currently attend. A strategic intervention should have taken place at that school many years ago, but that was not the case. The best way forward, as regrettable as it is, is for those pupils to leave that school and attend other good schools in the area. As I said in my opening remarks, the boards will engage with parents and pupils on the best way forward for each individual pupil.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his statement today. I particularly pay tribute to the fact that the next phase of planning for east Belfast has been mentioned. I think that the Minister has hit the nail on the head on many of the aspects that were creating a confused situation. Perhaps if we had taken the route suggested in the next phase, Orangefield, Knockbreda and Ashfield Boys' might be in a different situation today. For Knockbreda and Ashfield Boys', there is more work to be done in east Belfast.

Minister, you said:

"to the people who called on me to keep Dundonald High School open, my message is simple: your campaign is not over; it has only just begun."

I think that the parents recognise that fact, but as the process of enhancing the permanent teaching staff goes on, investment in school buildings is also critical.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Can we have a question, please?

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

When will the investment take place, along with the process to enhance the teaching staff and curriculum?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The board and my Department will assess any application for enhanced facilities at the school along with applications from elsewhere. In touring the school, you can see that it is a building from around the 1970s. The fabric of the school is not in a significantly poor condition. The history of the school is affecting the quality of education. Whether it was faults inside or outside the school, by the administrators or whoever else, those faults are to blame for the poor educational outcomes of the young people in that school. It is not the physical shape of the school nor its facilities.

I believe that we can and will enshrine a new beginning in the school. The reconstitution of the board of governors will be vital in that, and I encourage local elected representatives to identify key figures from the business community or with a community background etc and ask them to make themselves available for appointment to the board of governors. Those people will be a driving force behind the school. I also believe that we can identify a new strategic leader for the school. Those who have been in place have acted valiantly to keep the school going, and we now have to put in place a new leadership to bring the school to a new stage. If, when we have done all of that, or in conjunction with doing all of that, an application for infrastructure is made by the school, I will consider it.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. I suppose that, in his response to Mr Newton, he answered some of my questions.

As he stated, this is the beginning of a new journey for pupils in that area. How will the changes improve educational outcomes for the pupils? What specific assistance will be given to pupils and staff to ensure that the journey is a smooth one?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have asked the board to work closely with my Department and the school to bring forward a support package for the school. At this stage, the key thing is the reconstitution of the board of governors. We need to bring in new members to strengthen the board of governors. We need people who are determined to ensure that only high-quality education will be accepted for the young people who attend that school. We need people with a range of skills and backgrounds to do that, and, as I said earlier, I encourage representatives from the area to identify people who are prepared to give up their time and dedicate it to the school. I believe that the appointment of a new principal will clearly signal a new beginning for the school — a visionary leader and someone who is prepared to make a personal mark and a mark on the education of the young people. If further financial support etc is required, I will consider that as part of the board's improvement plan for the school.

We will do all of that. However, if the community and local representatives do not continue their campaign of support and continue to work with the school, none of that will work. If there is all-round support, which, I have to say, will have to go on for a number of years to make a difference in the school, it has the potential to be a very good school and one that supports a community that deserves very good education. It may also be an exemplar for other schools that face similar problems.

As I said, each school tells its own story. This is not a change of direction or policy; I have assessed all the issues around Dundonald and decided to go down this pathway. Other circumstances in other schools may mean that this is not the course of action for them.

Sammy Douglas (DUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his statement. As he said, there has been a tremendous amount of commitment, passion and support from the parents and the community. I thank the Minister for having an open-door policy in relation to Dundonald High School in particular.

Given the way that these things tend to pan out, there could be many difficulties with the rejuvenation of Dundonald High School. Will he give us a commitment that his door will remain open and that we can come to him and get help and support to encourage the rejuvenation of that school?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Yes, I have a continued role to play, as does my Department and the board. I am always keen for elected representatives to come into my office and discuss the educational well-being of their constituents. I think that that process has worked well with Dundonald and that it has been very informative.

From the outside, I understand that the community involved may have been suspicious of a Sinn Féin Minister or felt that I had ulterior motives and that I would act differently with that school than I would elsewhere.

At times, political parties have a responsibility to prove that the perceptions of citizens who would not normally be dealing with them are not always right. I want to ensure that communities, regardless of where they are, including Protestant working class communities, have access to high-quality education. If we have to go the extra mile to do that, let us do it.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

Minister, thank you. Credit where credit is due. I will keep my comments largely to the schools in east Belfast: the two Ashfield campuses, Orangefield and Dundonald.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I remind the Member that he must ask a question, please.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

The future of Dundonald remains in the balance, given that there are targets and other things to be achieved. Whilst I accept that Dundonald must meet certain criteria and progress and that you have undertaken to assist them in that, will that assistance be formal? In other words, will the school be given a set of things that it must achieve within certain time frames, and will it be given understanding and credit when it does so and a bit of leeway with the slippage that always occurs with such things?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The future of Dundonald High School rests with the community that it serves. I have confidence that that community has the ability and the willingness to make Dundonald a success story, but I do not underestimate the challenges that they face and nor should they.

The school remains subject to a formal intervention process, which means that support is already in place. We are going to intensify that support. The education board will work closely and intensely with them. If that has to be initially on a day-to-day basis, that will be the case.

Let us not underestimate the reconfiguration of the board of governors and the potential that has. We are looking for the best of the best to be members of the board of governors of that school. That is the sort of support we need. I appeal to the business community and trade union leaders who may be listening to this to step up to the challenge and make themselves available. Educationalists who have retired, or whatever it may be, and believe they have a role to play should come forward and take a look at this.

When the advertisement goes out for the principal's post, I appeal for experienced educationalists to look at it favourably and ask themselves whether they can make the difference in Dundonald and make a significant mark in education in that community.

The board will be working with the school and my Department and I will be working with the board and the school to introduce support mechanisms to the school. If financial measures are needed, I will look at them and judge each on its own merits. The school and the community will have additional support mechanisms in place to assist the school in its journey.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for his statement to the House this morning. Far be it from me to throw a spanner in the works, but it affects not only east Belfast but south Belfast, given that Newtownbreda has pupils from Sandy Row, Belvoir and the Village.

Given that the amalgamated school will have 1,000 pupils, will the Minister give some guarantees on future capital funding, and will he discuss the long-term future of a sustainable school in south Belfast? Will he meet with me and my colleagues to discuss the long-term plan for a school in this area?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for his question. I am acutely aware of where the population for the new school flows from and the historical reasons for that, including a number of amalgamations and closures.

I am more than happy to meet with the Member to discuss the issue further. This is a sustainable school. I said in my statement that we are looking at planning 20 years into the future. We have made an intervention on time for both schools and for the education of the community in that area. We can move forward confidently with a sustainable school. In terms of capital investment, I have to take each application on its merits. We have a significant backlog in building programmes that we are trying to work our way through. I want to see infrastructure follow on from amalgamations etc but I cannot commit directly to that now. However, I commit to the Member that I will engage with him and discuss how we will reach that point.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement, particularly as it concerns Holywood Priory. I welcome the increase in enrolment there to 500, although it is somewhat conditional.

Does the Minister now recognise the need for a newbuild in Holywood? I record my thanks to him for coming fairly recently to look at the Holywood situation and to see at first hand the need for investment. Does he recognise now that we need new buildings in Holywood? Priory is suffering. It is a substandard building in very poor condition, as are the primary and nursery schools. Is that the first step for getting a newbuild? Does the Minister recognise that it is very difficult to attract pupils to a building that is dilapidated and crumbling? In the case of Priory, such conditions make life most difficult for them.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for his question. I am considering requests from the various managing authorities for the next building programme. I have reached no decisions. I am acutely aware of conditions at Priory, which the Member and I visited. We need to make a decision on its future one way or the other, because it is the key to other developments in the area. There is almost a domino effect involved. I assure the Member that I am considering the proposal as part of other proposals that have come in from the managing authorities, and I will make a statement in due course on the next phase of the capital building programme.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

These schools are well outside my constituency, but I have been in receipt of representations from parents in Dundonald and about Ashfield. I very much welcome the Dundonald decision, but I am disappointed about Ashfield. Ashfield is fully subscribed. Orangefield is now going to close, yet the Minister gives no increase to the Ashfield schools, whereas to Priory, which has been stagnating in numbers for five years, he gives an increase. Is he not being unfair to the controlled sector?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

If I were to make a decision on the Ashfield schools now, I would be being unfair to the controlled sector, because it would not be part of a thought-through process with sufficient research or information available to make an informed decision. I could make a decision about the Ashfield schools, which are sustainable, good schools that will be part of our education fabric into the future. However, that decision could have an impact on other controlled schools in that area. I think that it would be foolish to do that, because you do then end up with the Orangefields and other problems. Let us do this in a planned, organised way. I said in my statement that expansion will not take place now but in the future. I have a statutory duty to the integrated sector to promote and facilitate integrated education. I was conscious of that when I allowed Priory to expand. I have allowed the school to expand in a managed way.

On pupils leaving Orangefield, I said that I wanted the boards to engage with parents and pupils over how we manage pupil transfer to whichever schools parents and pupils express a preference for. We will manage it in that way. If I have to use my power to give additional numbers to a school, I will do so. However, I will work with the boards on the matter to ensure that pupils transfer in a managed way.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

I welcome the statement, the recognition that the Minister has given to community support for Dundonald High School and the commitment that he has given to develop high-quality education in the area. I also welcome the modest increase in year 8 admission numbers, from 85 to 100, that he has granted Priory Integrated College. However, I suggest that he underestimates the current demand for places at the school, as does Mr Allister, and I disagree with the language that he used, which — inadvertently, I hope — diminishes the significance of the school to pupils and parents in east Belfast. I ask him to reassure the House by telling us just how much account he has taken of his statutory duty to encourage and facilitate integrated education in east Belfast and beyond.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I could not hear the Member's full comments. Is he suggesting that I have undermined Priory School? I am not saying that he did, but if I picked up that he is suggesting that I am undermining Priory School, I can tell him that that is certainly not the case.

I want to see Priory flourish and expand. I said in my statement that it is the board's responsibility first and foremost to manage and monitor the numbers at the school. If it is the case that the school continues to expand, even through year 8, there is nothing to stop the board from bringing forward a further development proposal to me. If the school's sixth form continues to expand, I can manage that from Department level and work with the school to do that.

However, if we were simply to accept the proposal on Priory that was initially published, we would find that, although the figures look good, you would end up with a school with a very large sixth form and that the numbers coming in through year 8 would not match the other end of the school. So, you would end up with a school that is unbalanced in its pupil demographics.

I am prepared to work with Priory, and I am prepared to ensure that it continues to deliver integrated education in the area. We will do that in a managed way with the school.

Executive Committee Business

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Members will have a copy of the Marshalled List of amendments detailing the order for consideration. The amendments have been grouped for debate in the provisional grouping of amendments selected list. There are three groups of amendments, and we will debate the amendments in each group in turn.

The first debate will be on amendment Nos 1 to 7 and amendment No 16, which deal with pension boards, types of scheme and valuations. The second debate will be on amendment Nos 8 to 12, which deal with the normal pension age for members of schemes set up under clause 10. The third debate will be on amendment Nos 13, 14, 15 and amendment Nos 17 to 21, which deal with Assembly control of secondary legislation, consultation requirements for pension scheme regulations and transitional provisions for existing schemes.

Once the debate on each group is completed, any further amendments in the group will be moved formally as we go through the Bill, and the Question on each will be put without further debate. The Questions on stand part will be taken at the appropriate points in the Bill. If that is clear, we will proceed.

No amendments have been tabled to clauses 1 to 4. I propose, by leave of the Assembly, to group these clauses for the Question on stand part.

Clauses 1 to 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

We now come to the first group of amendments for debate. With amendment No 1, it will be convenient to debate amendment Nos 2 to 7 and amendment No 16. Members will note that amendment No 2 is consequential to amendment No 1 and that amendment No 4 is consequential to amendment No 3.

Simon Hamilton (DUP, Strangford)

I beg to move amendment No 1:In page 3, line 2, leave out from beginning to "workers)," in line 3 and insert

"(1) Subject to subsection (2), scheme regulations for a scheme under section 1".

The following amendments stood on the Marshalled List:

No 2: In page 3, line 6, leave out "must provide" and insert

"may make the provision required under subsection (1) above by providing".— [Mr Hamilton (The Minister of Finance and Personnel).]

No 3: In page 3, line 30, leave out "member representatives" and insert "trade union representatives".— [Mr D Bradley.]

No 4: In page 4, line 4, at end insert

"(10) In this Act a "trade union” has the meaning set out in Section 1 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.".— [Mr D Bradley.]

No 5: In clause 8, page 5, leave out lines 9 and 10.— [Mr D Bradley.]

No 6: In clause 8, page 5, line 26, leave out "negative resolution" and insert "the affirmative procedure (see section 34(1))".— [Mr D Bradley.]

No 7: In clause 9, page 6, line 11, leave out "5" and insert "10".— [Mr D Bradley.]

No 16: In clause 13, page 9, line 20, after "qualified" insert

"and must not be

(a) an employee of the responsible authority;

(b) the scheme manager;

(c) a scheme member; or

(d) an employee of the Department of Finance and Personnel".— [Mr McKay (The Chairperson of the Committee for Finance and Personnel).]

Clause 5 relates to the governance of the new public service pension schemes created under the Bill. It requires each pension scheme made under the powers in clause 1 to establish a pension board. The board's role is to assist the scheme manager in securing effective and efficient governance and administration of the pension scheme and any statutory scheme connected with it. In particular, the pension board will be charged with helping the scheme manager to ensure that the scheme is administered to an appropriate standard and in compliance with statutory requirements.

Amendment Nos 1 and 2 deal specifically with the constitution of the pension board for the local government pension scheme in Northern Ireland. The early draft of clause 5 provided that only the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) could act as the pension board for the local government pension scheme. Amendment Nos 1 and 2 will remove the requirement that NILGOSC must act as the pension board for that scheme and will specify that it may perform that function. The change was requested by the Department of the Environment. The amendment was developed and agreed in the course of the work of the public service pensions working group of officials from across the main public service pension schemes. The working group was established by my Department in 2013 to provide an interdepartmental forum to ensure that the provisions of the Bill adequately reflect policy requirements and local conditions for each of the schemes affected. The amendments achieve that by providing the same flexibilities for the local government pension scheme in Northern Ireland in the appointment of its pension board as exist for the other schemes created under the Bill.

The amendments are in line with the reform approach to deliver improvements in standards for scheme governance across all public service schemes and have been welcomed by the Department of the Environment and the Committee for Finance and Personnel during the scrutiny stage of the Bill. Therefore, I commend amendment Nos 1 and 2 to Members and seek their support.

I will now comment on the other amendments tabled in this group. I have already highlighted that the purpose of the reform is to deliver advances in standards for scheme governance for public service pension schemes. Amendment Nos 3 and 4 severely restrict the scope of those improvements by limiting the provision for the representation of public service pension scheme members on pension boards to those who are members of trade unions and within the limited definition of trade unions proposed by Mr Bradley. The illogical and perverse effect would be that the interests of scheme members could not be represented through the pension boards unless they are members of the particular trade unions on whose behalf Mr Bradley and Mr Rogers appear to have agreed to petition for in bringing forward these amendments.

It is wholly inappropriate to restrict scheme member representation to a defined trade union grouping in the primary legislation. The purpose of the provision is to provide employee representation. Trade unions are not employees. In fact, the danger of these amendments is that there is the potential that a scheme could be left in the scenario where a pension board cannot exist if it is not unionised, as the clause, if amended, would specify "trade union representatives". The amendments also have the potential to discriminate against provision of member representation for pensioner members and other interest groups, which scheme members are free and entitled to be part of, including, for example, the Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance (CSPA). That is an independent, non-party-political organisation with nearly 60,000 members across the United Kingdom. It has been campaigning on behalf of pensioners across the United Kingdom for over 60 years to protect and defend the value of members’ pensions. The Civil Service Pensioners' Alliance is affiliated to the Public Service Pensioners’ Council representing the interests of retired public servants.

The provisions for representation on the pension board in clause 5 are already suitably and adequately constructed to describe the overall requirement for schemes to appoint the necessary range of persons who will be representative of scheme members to the pension board, including those scheme members who choose to be members of trade unions.

The secondary legislation process provides scope for Departments with scheme responsibilities and the various scheme member representatives, including trade unions, to further refine the constitution of pension boards on the basis of the existing provision in this clause, which is rightly inclusive and sensible. Therefore, I ask Members to oppose amendment Nos 3 and 4.

Amendment No 5 seeks to amend clause 8 and provides another example of a short-sighted and restrictive approach, which some Members have allowed themselves to become lobbyists for, to the purpose and intent of the reforms. The intention of the clause is to establish adequate flexibilities in the primary legislation to ensure the maintenance of adequate scheme designs that are sustainable and continue to deliver decent levels of income in retirement. This amendment would include an unnecessary restriction on the scope for future scheme designs to deliver these priorities, potentially to the detriment of future scheme members.

The broad power at clause 8 to create pension and benefit schemes of different designs is intentionally comprehensive, as it should be in primary legislation such as this. It includes capacity for defined contribution schemes and also allows appropriate scope, in principle, for positive advances in other scheme designs to be considered, should they arise in the future. The amendment would restrict the range of pension options already available to public service employees.

For individuals in a scheme such as the Civil Service partnership, they will, when the new career average revalued earnings schemes are introduced, have to join the new career average revalued earnings arrangements. The key point here is that the option for schemes to offer arrangements in the future, such as partnership, will be removed.

Defined contribution schemes already exist in the public service, such as the aforementioned Civil Service partnership scheme. It provides staff with choices for pension saving as an alternative to the main defined benefit scheme. A number of civil servants have elected to join this arrangement. By March 2012, there were 102 members in that Civil Service partnership scheme, which had been introduced in 2002. Its key attraction for members is that they do not pay employee contributions. However, this is only a stakeholder scheme with limited benefits. Nonetheless, the provisions for a scheme design at clause 8 therefore are designed to provide options, but there is no compulsion.

The policy intention of the Bill is that the new career average revalued earnings schemes, which are recommended by the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission as a replacement for final salary models, are designed to last for a generation at least. This is set out quite clearly at clause 22, which provides a commitment in primary legislation to protect elements of the career average revalued earnings scheme until 2040. The Bill includes effective protections for scheme members against the proposed introduction of any future scheme design that would compromise the 25-year commitment to the career average revalued earnings scheme design that I referred to.

Clause 22(2) states that the responsible authority must consult scheme members or their representatives with a view to reaching agreement with them and lay a report before the Assembly. This provides enhanced processes for the trade union side at consultation and for Assembly scrutiny, which will automatically be triggered to apply in the event of any proposal to change the career average revalued earnings scheme design. Changes to benefit accrual rates and members’ contribution rates, which are outside the normal operation of the cost-cap mechanism, will be protected under the 25-year protected period.

It should be clear, therefore, because of the commitment to the Hutton principles for reform that this Bill is founded on, that there is no intention to provide defined contribution schemes or any other scheme design instead of the career average revalued earnings defined benefit schemes recommended in the independent commission’s report. To some, that may appear to be a mixed message but, to be clear, there is no intention to provide defined benefits schemes at this time. I therefore ask Members to oppose amendment No 5.

Amendment No 6 seeks to amend the Assembly procedure for regulations to establish schemes, as detailed in clause 8. My response to the previous amendment should have demonstrated that the Bill incorporates sufficient protections to safeguard against the inappropriate use of the general power to make scheme designs, which clause 8 provides. The negative resolution procedure is entirely adequate here. Any proposed new design would be required to be implemented through scheme regulations, which are, as a matter of course, subject to the negative procedure and will require statutory consultation with member representatives under clause 21.

Again, it should be noted that any proposal for a change of scheme design of a kind that would propose to diverge from the career average revalued earnings model would engage the procedure, which I outlined, for protected elements at clause 22, and so require extended consultation with the trade unions with a view to reaching agreement on the proposal and would require a report to be laid in the Assembly. The negative resolution procedure allows appropriate Assembly scrutiny of the provisions of scheme regulations and the opportunity to debate those regulations, if the Assembly so wishes.

As the SDLP tabled amendment No 6, it may be of interest to it and other Members if I cite some examples of legislation brought forward by SDLP Ministers that include provision for negative resolution.

They include the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013, section 43 of which states that regulations under the Act are subject to negative resolution; the Housing (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2010, which was brought to the House by the then Minister, Margaret Ritchie, in which article 6 had regulations that were subject to negative resolution; and, most significantly, the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and the Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, which were also brought forward by Margaret Ritchie when she was Social Development Minister. Sections 10 and 13 of the Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 are subject to negative resolution.

I should point out that the protocol for negative resolution was never changed for state pensions legislation made by DSD while the Department had an SDLP Minister. Indeed, the accepted practice has continued. Why does the SDLP now want a different approach for public service pensions in this Bill? It is rather inconsistent, to say the least.

Finally, any proposal for a change of scheme design outside of the career average revalued earnings model described in the Bill would engage the higher protections provided at clause 22 and require extended consultation with trade unions and a report to be laid before the Assembly. Once again, I ask Members to oppose amendment No 6.

I move on to amendment No 7, which is proposed to clause 9. The current provision for revaluation at clause 9 allows persons who have taken a break from pensionable service of up to five years to be treated, for pension revaluation purposes, as if they had remained in pensionable service in the scheme. The amendment seeks to double the five-year limit to 10 years. Five years is an appropriate level. It is in line with the general norm of terms for career breaks currently permitted in public service employment. A period of five years is considered reasonable, adequate and generous.

It is unfair to expect those who choose to stay in service or take standard-length breaks from service to foot the bill for those who choose extended breaks beyond the established norm and which this clause already makes adequate provision for. The secondary legislation provides scope for each relevant Minister to consider what variations may be possible and appropriate for each of their schemes, and they must ensure that the variances are accounted for within their overall scheme cost envelope. I ask Members to oppose amendment No 7.

Amendment No 16 is proposed to clause 13. This amendment relates to provisions for cost controls for the local government pension scheme for Northern Ireland. It seeks to make it explicit in the clause that the person appointed to check the aims of the valuation process in that scheme is suitably independent. As drafted, the clause requires the person appointed to be appropriately qualified in auditing terms, and that should imply the necessary independence. I believe that the existing provision is adequate and that this amendment is not required. However, this is a relatively minor issue, and I will leave the efficacy of amendment No 16 to the judgement of Members.

In summary, I ask the Assembly to support amendment Nos 1 and 2 in this group and to oppose amendment Nos 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I would first like to take a degree of latitude as Chairperson to refer briefly to the Committee's scrutiny of the Public Service Pensions Bill.

I have no doubt that all Members will be keenly aware of the implications of their decisions today and at subsequent stages of the Bill. Indeed, the Bill will have an impact on upwards of 216,000 employees in the public services, which represents over 30% of the total workforce across the North. Those affected will include civil servants, local government officers, teachers, health service workers, prison officers, police officers and firefighters.

Given the scale of the proposed reforms, the Committee undertook scrutiny at three levels. These covered the policy intention of the reforms; the structural and operational aspects of the provisions in the Bill; and the technical drafting of the Bill. This detailed work, which was informed by stakeholder evidence that was collected in advance of the Bill's being introduced to the Assembly and at Committee Stage, resulted in a wide range of issues being raised with the Department of Finance and Personnel. In that regard, the Committee acknowledges the contribution of the stakeholders, including the various trade union representatives, in informing the Committee deliberations and the responsiveness of the Department in seeking to provide clarification, explanation and assurances on issues arising from the evidence.

In its report on the Bill, the Committee agreed a number of key conclusions and policy recommendations aimed at providing sufficient safeguards and minimising, where possible, the impacts on our public sector workers. A key conclusion from the Committee's scrutiny noted the variability in the estimates of the financial penalty — between £262 million and £300 million per annum — that Treasury has confirmed will apply if the public sector pension reforms provided for in the Bill are delayed or not implemented in line with those in Britain. The Committee accepts that, given the existing financial framework for devolution, the direct reduction in the block grant as a result of not proceeding with the reforms would place a substantial pressure on the Executive's budget and, in particular, on the funding available for delivering priority front line public services in the North. That said, given the significance of the reforms in the context of the predominance of the public sector in the economy here, the Committee considers that, in expecting the Executive to follow parity on that devolved matter, the London Government should have provided a macroeconomic appraisal of the Hutton reforms at a local level. That would have ensured that decisions on the reforms could be taken on the basis of a more complete evidence base.

The Committee welcomes the amendments in group 1 to clause 5, which were indicated by the Department during Committee Stage. As the Committee did not consider amendment No 1 and the others tabled by the SDLP due to the timing, I cannot convey the Committee's position on them. However, I note that the issue addressed by amendment No 6, which is about negative resolution versus the affirmative procedure in clause 8(5), arose in the evidence to the Committee.

I will now turn to the Committee amendment to clause 13, which is listed in group 1 as amendment No 16. In the course of its deliberations, the Committee noted that clause 13 of the Bill specifies that employer contributions in defined benefits schemes with a pension fund, most notably the funded local government pension scheme (NI), are set at a level that is sufficient to ensure the solvency of the pension fund and the long-term cost-efficiency of the part of the scheme to which that fund relates. It also requires actuarial valuations of the fund and provides for the responsible authority to appoint a person to review whether such valuations are in accordance with the scheme regulations, consistent with other valuations and whether an applicable rate of employer contributions was set. The clause requires that the person appointed must, in the view of the responsible authority, be appropriately qualified.

The Committee noted that the explanatory and financial memorandum accompanying the Bill refers to the reviewer as an "independent person" undertaking an:

"independent verification of the assessment of the scheme's assets and liabilities and to confirm whether appropriate employer contributions will be paid to meet those liabilities."

However, it was also noted that clause 13 does not appear to include specific provision to ensure the independence of the appointed person. Although members acknowledged that the term "appropriately qualified" in clause 13(7) could be interpreted as implying independence, it was not deemed to be sufficiently clear. On raising that issue with departmental officials during oral evidence, the Committee was assured that the Department would consider enhancing the provisions in clause 13 to make it absolutely clear that the person appointed to undertake the review is independent. In its subsequent written response, the Department appeared not to be prepared to table an amendment to ensure the independence of the person appointed. It stated:

"this is a technical exercise where financial or actuarial expertise is the primary requirement rather tha[n] independence".

As a consequence, the Committee agreed that an amendment, which would aim to ensure the independence of the person appointed would be drafted for consideration. The intention behind amendment No 16 is therefore to make explicit the requirement for independence in that regard.

In his response to the Committee's report, the Minister stated that the amendment:

"will not divert from the policy intentions of the Bill".

I take note of his comments today that it is a minor issue in comparison with other aspects of the Bill in all three groups. I welcome that, and I call on other Members to support the Committee's amendment No 16.

I will speak very briefly on our party position. We support the ministerial amendment Nos 1 and 2, the Committee amendment No 16 and broadly support all the other amendments in group 1 that have been tabled by the SDLP. We look forward to the debate on that group. We realise that the thrust of the debate is probably in the second group of amendments, which will take place after Question Time. We broadly support the amendments that have been tabled by parties in the first group.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I will try to keep my remarks brief. This is, obviously, a very important piece of legislation. As a member of the Committee for Finance and Personnel, I know that going through the evidence on this group of amendments was a very valuable exercise. We got submissions from a wide range of witnesses, and we had very good interaction with departmental officials. Sometimes, when one looks at the issue of pensions, unless you have a degree of expertise in the subject, a lot of the terminology can be a little bit confusing. It is important that, as a Committee, we were able to plough our way through the potential minefield that is there.

I will, obviously, make specific reference in the second group of amendments to the issue relating to firefighters and deal with it at that stage.

I will now turn to the first group of amendments. Amendment Nos 1 and 2 are departmental amendments. The DUP is very supportive of these amendments. The interesting thing, in many ways, about this legislation is that it is a mixture of creating a structure around public sector pensions with a certain level of enabling legislation. A lot of the detail and flexibility that will need to be put in place will be put into individual pension schemes, and, in many ways, it will be guided by Departments. This is very apposite particularly to amendment Nos 1 and 2, which deal specifically with the NILGOSC provisions. Maybe I should declare, if not quite an interest, a previous involvement as a former member of local government. To allow that degree of flexibility is useful; it is something, as I understand it, that was requested by the Department of the Environment. Amendment Nos 1 and 2 give us that level of flexibility, which, I think, seems to be fairly sensible.

I will now turn, perhaps less favourably, to some of the other amendments in this group. Mention has been made of amendment Nos 3 and 4, which deal with the issue of representation. The point that the Minister made is very appropriate. We are talking about member representation rather than trade union representation and, in many cases, that may end up being the same person; it may be somebody drawn from the trade unions. However, to try to tie it down and make it specifically that it has to be a trade union representative would be wrong for a number of reasons.

First, as was mentioned by the Minister, not everybody who is going to be part of the scheme will necessarily be a member of a trade union. Consequently, therefore, they may feel themselves to be unrepresented. Although a lot of good work has been done by a lot of trade union officials, I am sure that we have all come across occasions where there has been a degree of tension between former employees who see themselves as retired and those who are current employees. On occasions in different walks of life, and particularly in the public sector, we speak to retired people who are pensioners who do not feel necessarily that the trade union represents them any more. They are not a member of a trade union, and they feel at times, perhaps, that decisions are taken, understandably by a trade union, that are very much focused on a union's current members rather than its retired members. Consequently, there is a danger with amendment Nos 3 and 4 that people will feel a little bit left on the shelf and unrepresented. As I said, on a lot of occasions, it may well be that the representative of the members of that group is a trade unionist. I have no problem with that, but to restrict it to that is wrong, and consequently I will oppose amendment Nos 3 and 4.

Again, as has been indicated, there is a restrictive quality to amendment No 5. Different types of schemes will be permitted under the Bill. As indicated, a lot of the detail will have to be sketched out, quite often on individual schemes, by Departments. Therefore, to preclude particular types of schemes is wrong. In many ways, it interferes with the role that potentially is there through other Departments. There is not a particular intention to provide defined contribution schemes instead of the CARE-defined benefit schemes. We cannot have a crystal ball to gaze into the future or, indeed, gaze into other Departments as to what necessarily would be the case.

Again, as a lot of the legislation is ultimately meant to be enabling, I think that amendment No 5 is too restrictive.

I will now deal with amendment No 6. An issue that quite often comes up is whether we do things here by affirmative or negative resolution. As someone who has seen large amounts of legislation go through the House over the past 15 years, I am often struck by what I think is a false dichotomy between those two types of resolution. Negative resolution has the advantage, because, if everything has to be by affirmative resolution, you clog up the system with large numbers of such resolutions that, despite in many cases being utterly uncontroversial, create a certain level of delay and add unnecessary time.

However, the idea that the affirmative resolution procedure provides much better and additional scrutiny is a false one. What we have to realise about the negative resolution procedure, particularly given the sensitivities around pension issues, is that, if a Committee — on this or any other subject — wishes to pray against an amendment, it will automatically come to the Assembly. There is that high degree of safeguarding. Therefore, in many ways, there is no additional advantage provided by affirmative resolution, on the basis that the safeguard is already built into the legislation. On the flip side of the coin, we may end up going through the motions time after time on a range of affirmative resolutions. That does not strike me as sensible.

Similarly, I think that amendment No 7 would shift the goalposts if "5 years" were to be replaced with "10 years". If you look at the case for getting a career break in a lot of the branches of the public sector, be it for teachers, police, the Civil Service itself or prison officers, often a maximum of five years for a career break is granted. Indeed, I think that firefighters are restricted to a three-year career break. To expand that to 10 years would massively shift the goalposts and is not in line with current Civil Service practice.

There is an opportunity for some scope on behalf of Departments. They can look at individual circumstances and fit the scheme to what they believe to be best, but clearly, concerning the generosity of the scheme, there is a potential cost impact of a shift towards 10 years. I am certainly not persuaded on amendment No 7.

Finally, the Chair teased out where we as a Committee stand on amendment No 16. There is an argument to be made about whether it is strictly necessary, but, in many ways, it is a choice between what is implicit in the clause as it stands, and what can be read into from the explanatory and financial memorandum, and making the clause explicit. From that point of view, a reasonable argument has been made. The argument was, I think, accepted across the Committee that there is no harm in making the clause explicit. Therefore, although the argument can still be made about whether, strictly speaking, the amendment is necessary, it does no harm to make the clause explicit if it provides people with an additional reassurance. We on these Benches are therefore happy to accept amendment No 16.

I will make remarks on one of the other groups, but I commend amendment Nos 1, 2 and 16 to the House. I do not think that the implications of amendment Nos 3 to 7 are to the benefit of the Bill, so I urge the House to oppose them.

The debate stood suspended.

The sitting was suspended at 12.34 pm.

On resuming (Mr Principal Deputy Speaker [Mr Mitchel McLaughlin] in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

We will start with listed questions. Question 10 has been withdrawn.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

1. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether the funding is now in place to allow the redevelopment of Windsor Park to begin immediately. (AQO 5277/11-15)

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

2. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the regional stadium development at Windsor Park, Ravenhill and Casement Park. (AQO 5278/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thought that we were doing topical questions first. Sorry. I think that everyone else thought that as well.

I take this opportunity to wish everybody a happy new year. With the Principal Deputy Speaker's permission, I will take questions 1 and 2 together. The IFA integrated supply team tenders have been assessed, and the most economically advantageous tender has been identified. As no challenges were received during the Alcatel period, the funding agreement was issued to the IFA, and the successful contractor, O’Hare and McGovern, was appointed in December 2013. The design development by the contractor is currently under way, and it is anticipated that works will commence on site in the next few months. Provided that significant delays in any potential legal challenges are avoided, the Windsor development can remain on programme, with the completion of the construction works planned for September 2015

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for that clarification. She indicated that the development was subject to any legal challenges being avoided. Does the Minister anticipate any legal challenges?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I certainly do not anticipate any legal challenges. I think that the Member and others will appreciate that we have come a fair distance with the work that is commencing on the three stadia. I think that it is good news for Windsor Park and Casement Park that not only were the funding agreements signed in December but full planning for Casement was given. So, I do not anticipate any legal challenges at this stage.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

Is the Minister satisfied that, with the quite recent change in personnel in the Department and the departure of Noel Molloy as stadium project director, sufficient expertise remains in the Department to ensure that the three projects are delivered on time and within budget?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. Noel Molloy came in to the Department with a huge reputation after delivering Titanic and other significant projects. That expertise will continue. We are certainly looking at whatever gaps there are, but, at this stage, I am more than content that the three programmes will be delivered on time. I am not really aware of other changes in the Department other than that involving the permanent secretary, but there have been seamless links, and I hope to continue that throughout these programmes.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

The Minister will be aware that, obviously, Windsor Park is the home of Northern Ireland. It is also the home of Linfield Football Club. Have officials from the Minister's Department met Linfield, and does she have any plans to meet the Linfield management committee?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am not aware of any officials having met Linfield, but that is not to say that they will not have done so. I anticipate that, starting from this year, the number of requests from Irish League football clubs to meet not only me but my officials will increase to find out what is happening on subregional stadiums. I will meet any club. However, I am not aware of having received any invitation from Linfield for a meeting.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

I wish the Minister of Culture a happy new year. Can she advise the House whether she is satisfied that Casement Park will progress, despite the enormous opposition that there was from residents? One can understand why residents would be concerned. Is the Minister satisfied that those concerns have been looked after?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his good wishes, and, as we say in Irish: gurb amhlaidh duit — same to yourself, Kieran.

The concerns that residents raised were considered fully as part of the application for planning permission, which was awarded on 18 December. I anticipate that with regard to not only Casement Park but Windsor and Ravenhill we will have more meetings with other stakeholders, particularly around benefits. I have no doubt that residents with concerns will be part of those meetings should they be requested.

I have to say — and it will come as no surprise to the Member — that I am also receiving more requests to meet groups that deal with the long-term unemployed and children and young people who are leaving school and looking for apprenticeships, local businesses, and other groups that are looking at some of the social benefits. All of their views will be taken into consideration.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

3. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the major capital projects funded by her Department in the South Antrim constituency since 2012. (AQO 5279/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. I understand that he helpfully clarified what he means by “major capital investment”. In this context, it means investment in excess of £250,000. I can report that, at this stage, no capital investment of £250,000 was funded in the South Antrim constituency since 2012. I am able to draw the Member’s attention to smaller capital investments in his constituency that fall just below that threshold. He will be aware that, in 2011-12, Sport NI invested £245,000 in the Burnside Ulster-Scots Society and £233,000 in Crumlin United Football Club. More generally, I am sure that the Member will acknowledge that decisions on the location of capital investment are not made on the basis of constituency but rather reflect a number of factors.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I call Ms Michaela Boyle; I am sorry, I call Trevor for his supplementary question.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her answer. I welcome the fact that both clubs got a considerable amount of investment for their projects. I accept that there are factors. However, the Minister will appreciate that need is one factor. I am sure that she will agree — as, I believe, she has told me previously — that there is great need for sports facilities, particularly for football, in South Antrim. What can her Department do to take a more proactive approach to encourage clubs to come forward and make applications for her Department to disperse that money.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I assume that the Member is not referring solely to sports needs but to sports and other needs in his constituency. I am more than happy to meet the local council, for example. I have met other local government representatives, be they council officials and councillors, and MLAs with regard to potential or future investment in the constituency. If the Member so wishes, I am happy to have a meeting to that end. I will certainly give advice. If it is about sport and other opportunities, I am happy to bring officials from some of the arm's-length bodies and facilitate a meeting.

I do not think for one minute that this has anything to do with an election in May, as Members raised the issue before; but, like many Members, I have received an increased number of requests in the new year to meet local representatives about potential investment in their communities. I am happy to do that.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

4. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline how Strabane will benefit from the legacy of the City of Culture 2013. (AQO 5280/11-15)

Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

7. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, given her recent announcement of legacy plans as part of the City of Culture 2013, for an update on the departmental office in the Foyle area. (AQO 5283/11-15)

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

8. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline her plans to maintain the legacy of the City of Culture 2013. (AQO 5284/11-15)

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle; ceist uimhir a trí. Question 3. I am sorry; ceist uimhir a ceathair. Question 4.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I am just seeing if you are paying attention.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Good stuff, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. You have them all on their toes. With your permission, I will answer questions 4, 7 and 8 together.

Recently, I announced my strategic vision for the City of Culture legacy, not just for the city of Derry but, indeed, the north-west. I have secured over £2 million for the period from January to March 2014 to support a continuation of key projects from the city's culture programme and to prevent the loss of key benefits and partnerships. That will also stimulate new collaborations between creative industries and businesses and provide strategic investment to sports facility development in the north-west.

I will also, as I have stated, make a further bid to the Executive for funding for the 2014 and 2015 financial years and beyond to support ongoing and new interventions which maximise City of Culture benefits across the north-west. That will also support the Executive's priorities in growing the economy and tackling poverty, social exclusion and inequality.

I am therefore keen to ensure that a DCAL office will be set up in Derry to further enhance focus in the north-west. That will have responsibility for coordination and oversight of culture, arts and leisure activity in the area, which will include Derry, Strabane, Limavady and Coleraine. My officials are preparing detailed arrangements and costs, and it is my intention to have the new departmental office in place for the start of the 2014-15 financial year.

Michaela Boyle (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. I suppose that she has gone some way to answering my supplementary question. Further to that, it is important that Strabane benefits from the legacy of the City of Culture. Given that both councils will amalgamate into a regional council, will the Minister inform the House of the benefits of that in respect of generating new projects? What further assistance can her Department give to those councils?

I take this opportunity — I am sure that the Minister will join me in doing so — to wish Strabane Athletic all the very best. They drew with Ballinamallard, and there will now be a replay. I am sure that the Minister will agree about their success.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am happy, even though Tom Elliott is not, to wish Strabane FC and, indeed, Ballinamallard all the best.

I want to assure the Member that when we talk about looking at how we can expand the legacy of the City of Culture across the north-west — I mentioned Strabane, Limavady, Coleraine and other areas — we are doing just that. We are having meetings with key stakeholders in the community. We are also looking at opportunities for roadshows and information and consultation events. I have asked that Strabane in particular be one of the first areas visited in order to make links with the people there and to ascertain their opinions.

It is important to recognise that the legacy of the City of Culture — people in Derry city will say this — has been tremendous. However, we need to make sure that that is not just located in one geographical area. My experience of the city is that the people are very generous and are happy to spread all that love across the north-west.

Raymond McCartney (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh míle maith agat a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí sin.

I thank the Minister for her lead answer in particular. I think that she is right: most people in Derry want to see the legacy spread beyond the city boundaries. She alluded to the fact that there will be premises in the city. Will she give us an update on that and perhaps outline how appointments to the new delivery mechanism will be made?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. He and others will be aware, given what I said just minutes ago and when we launched the legacy for the City of the Culture, that we want a DCAL office in the north-west. At the minute, we are scoping out where the office will be. We are looking at a couple of options and the costings. My ambition — I have no reason to believe that this will not happen — is that the office will be open by the end of March or the beginning of April. Indeed, it is not just the physical office that will be in place around that time; I also hope to have the new cultural partners, the board and the staff in place by April or June. So, certainly by the end of this session — we are only back, and yet we are already talking about the summer — I hope to have that well in place.

Pat Ramsey (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

The Minister clearly acknowledged the importance of the legacy to the north-west and to the wider region of Northern Ireland. Given the experience and capacity of staff in the Culture Company, will any of them be used to maximise the importance of the legacy?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member is aware and, I am sure, can appreciate that this is not a transfer of undertakings and protection of employment (TUPE) arrangement; it is not just about transferring staff from one body to another. We are two separate bodies, and they are employed by Derry City Council. I will say that — I am sure that Members and the staff know this — when the posts are advertised publicly, which they will be, anyone, regardless of their current employment status, will be entitled to apply. I am sure that the Member shares my aspiration of wanting the best possible people in post to make sure that the legacy of 2013 endures in 2014 and beyond.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

I see the Minister and the questioners overlook the fact that it was the UK City of Culture. She will be aware that "inclusivity" was the key word throughout the UK City of Culture year. What steps is she going to take to ensure that, as it spreads out from Londonderry, Limavady, Strabane and Coleraine, that key word is implemented in practice; that communities across the board can see it as a system and set of programmes that they can take part in; and there does not have to be the arguments, fights and disputes, as there was at the early part of the UK City of Culture, in order to get there?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. To be fair, the Member is the only person I know who is arguing and fighting about this whole thing. I am sure that he will support Derry's bid for Irish City of Culture in 2016. I look forward to his support in that.

The Walled City Tattoo and many other cultural events that happened in 2013 were inclusive. I know that people across the city, wherever they come from, have a sense of themselves, and they had a sense of what they were celebrating in 2013 and what they, collectively, hope to celebrate, beyond, in an inclusive way. The only people who I find have issues around inclusivity, really, are probably — well, probably you have the privilege of having that sole title. So, I look forward to your support for the bid for Irish City of Culture for 2016 and to you demonstrating full inclusivity.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

5. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline what her Department is planning to do to commemorate the centenary of the Great War. (AQO 5281/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. The creative and cultural infrastructure and programmes already funded and supported by my Department will play a key role in telling the stories and different interpretations of the First World War and other important events in this decade of centenaries. For example, libraries are developing a programme of exhibitions, talks and book launches to commemorate the start of the First World War. Museums are also planning to outline access to collections and an exhibition and programming at the Ulster Museum and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. That will also involve cooperation with the National Museum of Ireland and the Imperial War Museum and National Portrait Gallery in London.

Stephen Moutray (DUP, Upper Bann)

Thank you. Recently, the Government at Westminster allocated some £50 million for historical commemorations of the centenary of the Great War. Given that many young men went from all communities across Ulster to fight and to die in the cause of freedom, can the Minister tell us what discussions she has had with her UK counterpart, Maria Miller, to see what more can be done in relation to Northern Ireland and the Great War commemorations?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

First, I have not had any discussions with Maria Miller in relation to that. I have had discussions with Ed Vaizey on other aspects of cultural heritage, and I intend to continue those. I also intend to work with the Member’s colleague and my Executive colleague Arlene Foster in relation to taking forward not only the First World War but other very, very significant aspects that will arise for people here during the decade of centenaries.

The Member will be aware not only of what I have outlined, but certainly that PRONI and the Somme Heritage Centre, which we are also supporting, are also planning to mark this most significant centenary and to do it in a very respectful way.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answers. I think that she has answered part of my question. The Executive's statement of March 2012 specified that the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure would bring forward a programme for the decade. Has that been agreed?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

In short, yes, that has been agreed. As I have said, and as Minister Foster has said, the principles underlying the Executive’s approach have been agreed on the basis of mutual respect. A multitude of organisations across the island, not just here in the North, are marking this and other anniversaries. My officials, alongside officials from DETI, are looking at an online promotional platform to raise awareness of a broader range of activities about how we provide inclusivity and remember the past.

That work was to take on board recent policy developments linked to building a shared future and a united community and was to be informed by discussions before and certainly in the future. It is important that we do that. It is not about what we commemorate; it is about how we commemorate it in a respectful way.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for her answers so far. It is good to hear about the actions that she is putting in place for the decade of centenaries. Although she has hinted at this, bearing in mind the suffering and sacrifice of soldiers from both parts of the island in the First World War, does she not think that the best way of showing everyone our shared history and a shared future is by talking to Westminster? Working with them as well would be a great help.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. I assure him that I have no reason not to speak to anybody. We need collaborative approaches to make sure that we make them respectful events, regardless of how we feel about those periods of history. Even though none of us was born then, we seem to have an awfully long memory. It is really important that we, as Governments and representatives of many people across this island and other islands, try to work collectively. I have no issue with that at all. I have additional meetings coming up with Ed Vaizey and other British Ministers. I am happy to raise, as I was intending to do, how we can work collectively and collaboratively around centenaries, broadcasting, languages, sport and many other interests where we could probably do better if we maximised the opportunities that arise. We may not know what one another is doing. I assure the Member that I will talk to anyone, regardless of who they are, about learning lessons from the past. I am happy to do anything I can to provide better opportunities around inclusivity and respect.

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

Speaking as someone whose great-grandfather died at the battle of the Somme, I think that it is important that we recognise the contribution from many people right across the community, particularly the Catholic community. Will you join me in commending the good work of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, in recognising the contribution? Of course, the history books will show that many people joined because they believed in home rule and Redmond's army, if you like. Do you have any plans to meet or have you met the Minister to coordinate an all-Ireland response to the commemorations, particularly around 4 August, which was the date of entry into the war?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. It will come as no surprise that I have met Jimmy Deenihan about that, and I plan to have further meetings. The Member might not be aware that the public records offices of both jurisdictions are looking at ways in which we can use archives to add to centenaries or even learning and education. We are also looking at libraries. We have had conferences on those. We have had and will continue to have discussions around how we celebrate and work together, where possible, in celebrating, remembering and commemorating significant events throughout the decade of centenaries. I am sure that the Member has met Minister Deenihan, and she will also be aware of his enthusiasm to take that approach.

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

I always appreciate the Minister's upfront-ery, not her effrontery. Following the Minister's answers so far, is it possible that I am correct in surmising that we could be financing the commemoration of rebels and terrorists?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Given the context of the questions so far, which have been based on the First World War, that is a bit churlish of the Member. You are the only person today who has been affronted — apart from Gregory Campbell, but that is a given. [Laughter.] In the spirit of the Member's question, I will be upfront about being inclusive as much as I can. If I can add to, assist and complement better learning, better respect and more inclusivity, using the decade of centenaries to do that, I will. That is a genuine response. I know that the Member is keen to make sure that that will be the case for not just this year but the years ahead throughout the decade.

Jo-Anne Dobson (UUP, Upper Bann)

6. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what action she has taken to increase the usage of libraries and their facilities. (AQO 5282/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. Libraries strategy for increasing library usage is set out in its 2013-14 business plan. That plan addresses barriers to library usage through targeted outreach work, partnership and working with local community organisations, charities and Departments. In keeping with my priorities, it also has a strong focus on increasing participation in libraries that serve those in the most deprived areas. However, our libraries are community hubs, and, to ensure that they have a good environment, an investment programme is under way to refurbish or replace a number of library buildings and vehicles. In addition, the £28 million e2 replacement IT system will provide faster broadband and Wi-Fi in every library for its users. The ongoing development of partnerships along with investment in staff, stock and facilities and increased community engagement is helping to realise the vision of providing a flexible and responsive library service that assists people to fulfil their full potential.

Jo-Anne Dobson (UUP, Upper Bann)

Can the Minister give an assurance that, where libraries have been inappropriately closed, she is actively seeking resources and support to provide library services to those communities?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am not sure what the Member means by "inappropriately closed". We went through some detailed explanations and tried to engage more people in becoming members of the library, particularly in rural areas, to make sure that libraries and their future-proofing was sustained. That was not the case. We can only put public money into a service where there has been an identified need. Through previous correspondence from the Member about a particular library, I am conscious of the fact that we need to make sure that libraries and other community facilities, particularly in rural areas, are maintained and sustained throughout the future.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. What exactly is being done to improve library services for users in rural areas?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. I suppose that it follows on from part of the answer that I gave to Jo-Anne Dobson. In September last year — I was unable to make it — the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was part of the opening of a library in a rural area of mid-Ulster. That was one of the libraries under threat of closure. What it did and what other libraries have done in the Member's constituency, which is a city but certainly has outlying areas, and in counties including Fermanagh and across the North is to look at where they can join up with other service providers to provide a community hub. For example, Libraries has 28 branches located in rural areas, which also provide mobile library services and even home call services for people. As I mentioned previously, it is also about better access to broadband and that. I am acutely aware that we cannot have and I will not tolerate access to services by postcode in DCAL. I need to make sure of that and will fight to sustain services in rural areas, and that includes libraries.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

We are almost out of time, but I will call Karen McKevitt, who may require a written answer.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Thanks very much, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. In the past, during answers at Question Time, the Minister has encouraged communities, MLAs and so on to respond to the mobile library service strategy. Given that the consultation closed on 14 December, will she give us an update on where we are and what the responses were like?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

To be totally honest, I have not had any discussion with the libraries branch in DCAL, but one of the actions that I need to take over the next fortnight is to get an update on what the responses were and what the intentions are and then to talk to Libraries to see what we do with that. I am happy to write to the Member individually, although she is a member of the CAL Committee, on those responses and what the propositions are.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Order. That brings the period for oral answers to listed questions to an end. I know that the Minister is anxious to get on to topical questions.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

1. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the contingency plans the relevant branch in her Department implemented to preserve fish stocks during the recent adverse weather. (AQT 541/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Like many others, DCAL had an operation in place, as in previous years, to look at preserving fish stocks. We ascertained at a very early stage that, because the fish farms were not in coastal areas, the threat was diminished. We had an action plan and other plans in place in the event of the weather taking a further turn for the worse and impacting on our stocks.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her reply. It is reassuring to know that appropriate measures were taken. Can she say whether anybody from the angling community offered assistance and whether any engagement took place with the community during the crisis?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I am not aware of any specific discussions with the angling community, which is very active and has a very good working relationship with our fisheries branch. I will ascertain what, if any, discussions or requests were made and write to the Member.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

2. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm whether new capital funding for sports facilities will be made available through applications to Sport NI this month. (AQT 542/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. My understanding is that, as of yesterday, Sport NI is looking at new capital funding. At one stage, I believed that that would be in place by the end of January. It is looking at a possible cocktail of funding or a funding package with access on three levels for smaller, medium and larger projects. That will be brought to the Sport NI board in March for agreement, along with departmental agreement, and should be available for applications by April.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Will the Minister provide assurances that the opportunity will be evenly spread throughout the North so that there is better provision in rural areas and equal access?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I can assure the Member that we continue to look at need and inclusion, particularly social inclusion. I am aware that, in the Member’s constituency, there has been ongoing criticism about a lot of money for the arts going to Belfast and, more so, Derry. I assure Members that we are looking at projects, particularly capital investment projects, that are based on need. That is a lengthy process, but I am happy to give the Member that assurance.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

3. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, given recent media coverage on rising child obesity levels, to advise what action her Department is taking, in conjunction with the Department of Education, to address this matter. (AQT 543/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. This might be a result of better promotion, but there have been more newspaper articles written about the concerns around childhood obesity, particularly type 2 diabetes. Yesterday, at St Louise’s College in west Belfast, in conjunction with the Minister of Education, I launched 'Your School, Your Club', which deals with sports and activities that are shared between schools and neighbouring clubs, such as GAA clubs, soccer clubs, rugby clubs and youth clubs. That will not only make sure that services are accessible after school hours but, as there is a lack of land and support in certain places, allow us to do all that we can to join everything up. It is about not just children and young people but our older generation, who also want to keep fit and active.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I remind Members about the House rules in respect of mobile telephones. There is quite a bit of interference.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

Will the Minister confirm whether she is considering any business cases relating to this matter? If so, can we expect formal approval to be granted in the near future?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am not aware of any specific projects. That is not to say that schools, clubs or others have not come in, and I know that some have received Sport NI funding in the past. I am happy to bring the Member's request back to the Department, find out whether there any projects and, if so, where they are. I will then update the Member in writing.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

4. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she has reviewed the grants allocated to local boxing clubs and authorities to include those that did not previously receive funding packages. (AQT 544/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. The position on the funding for boxing remains the same. I am not aware of any club not being included. The situation has always been that clubs that are affiliated upon application are in the pool like everyone else.

The minor capital support was made from August to this month, and I believe that 83 clubs requested technical assistance for greater support and that 76 clubs had returned applications. Neither Sport NI nor I have made any decisions on those yet, but I am not aware thus far of any club requesting support and not receiving it.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for that. Will she confirm that, following the independent working group’s finding that Sandy Row Boxing Club had been discriminated against, that club will get funding?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The boxing club welcomed aspects of the report. I am not aware of Sandy Row applying for funding and funding being refused on that basis. I welcomed applications from everywhere, including Sandy Row. I am not too sure that the full report concluded what the Member is stating. I believe that the club, in conjunction with the independent panel, the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and the Ulster Boxing Council, is taking a can-do attitude for the future. I ask the Member and other Members to get behind the clubs and to give them support.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for her answers up to now. I am happy to hear that planning permission has been granted for Casement Park.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

5. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure when the social benefits relating to Casement Park will be announced. (AQT 545/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The social benefits and social clauses should be announced at the beginning of February, and that will include the details. I have given a flavour in the past of what some of those social clauses may look like. We are looking to February for the launch of social clauses and from March and beyond for actions and an employment plan from the construction team.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. Will the community and voluntary sector be invited to briefings on the social clauses when they are available?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

In short, yes, the community and voluntary sector will be involved. In fact, I received a request from the community, through the MP for West Belfast, to meet a section of the community and voluntary sector and the partnership boards to look at the social clauses, when they would be launched and what the relationship through the construction phase of Casement Park would look like for the entire West Belfast constituency.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I am sure that the Minister will support me in taking this opportunity to congratulate Dr Sinéad Morrissey on the wonderful achievement of winning the prestigious T S Eliot prize this week for her poem 'A Matter of Life and Death'.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

6. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what initiatives or funding her Department provides to encourage the uptake of poetry by young people. (AQT 546/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. The Arts Council in particular has dedicated members of staff for poetry and literature. I am not aware of any specific measure for poetry for children and young people, but I will find out.

I am sure that other Members will join us in congratulating Sinéad Morrissey on her prestigious title. I think that she is the first-ever Belfast poet laureate. I am glad that she is a woman. It was good news when I heard on the radio very late last night that she had won the award.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Does the Minister have any plans to collaborate with her colleagues the Minister of Education and the Minister for Employment and Learning to ensure that opportunities are available to the general public, young and old, to take part in poetry readings and poetry classes?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I did not have any plans, but she has put an idea in my head. I am happy, as I said to other Members, to have further discussions, because maybe the Member has specific ideas about what this would look like. The Minister of Education has just walked in. Yesterday, he put me on the spot by offering me the opportunity to demonstrate trampoline skills to children and young people, so I will do the same with him, literally. We are happy to look at any scheme, event or initiative that includes the better use of and participation in literature, be it through poetry, storytelling or whatever, particularly for children and young people. We will certainly look at it positively. I know that Belfast City Council, through the mayor, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, has spearheaded a campaign of having city laureates which, I think, is the best way of doing it.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

7. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the funding her Department has made available to the mountain bike trail at Davagh forest in my constituency of Mid Ulster. (AQT 547/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I do not have details at hand, and I am not aware of them. We have made a significant investment in County Down, but I am not aware of the situation in Mid Ulster, which is the Member's constituency. As I have said to other Members, I am happy to find out the details and forward them to her. In conjunction with my colleague the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, I have taken presentations and attended meetings with stakeholders on this sport and others, particularly in rural areas. There is a growing trend in this. However, I am not sure of the figures; I will get them and write to the Member.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I appreciate the Minister's response. Considering the upcoming Giro d'Italia and the surrounding excitement, activities and opportunities that we have in Northern Ireland, does the Minister feel that there are opportunities in all constituencies across Northern Ireland? I wonder what her Department would like to do in support of that event to enhance cycling across Northern Ireland.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member is right: interest in the Giro has been expressed in all constituencies across the North. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to throw a stone and find a constituency that is not involved in cycling. Her colleagues and mine from Armagh city have been very proactive in raising the opportunities and skills that they have, the interest in the Giro and cycling and the legacy of the Giro. Through Sport NI, I have received representations from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) subgroups on this. Again, I am happy to get the details for the Member and write to her. I thank her for her interest in cycling. We should learn what lessons we can to nurture, develop and sustain the legacy of the Giro, particularly with regard to cycling. It is very important, particularly in rural areas, that we have a good legacy and a good investment in sport and physical activity.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I also welcome the Minister's response in relation to this question.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

8. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether any funding requests for the Giro d’Italia have been made, either to her Department or to Sport NI. (AQT 548/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. I know that many people have asked about the potential. As I said to Mrs Overend, I think that Armagh City and District Council is one of the groups represented on DETI subgroups with Sport NI to look at the potential. I am not aware that any funding requests have been made thus far, but that is not to say that they will not come.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she ensure that any investment in this significant event will not be focused just in and around Belfast? I certainly welcome the fact that the Giro is coming to Armagh city and district.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

God, you are awful hard on Belfast people, I have to say. I will ensure that. As with all funding opportunities, I have a statutory obligation under section 75 to make sure that funding and investment meets need. If need is demonstrated in the Member's constituency, he will be in the pot along with everyone else. We are looking at the provision of services and investment on the basis of demonstrated need, and I am sure the Member and other Members can assure me that people have done an awful lot of work to ensure that they are up there for any potential opportunity.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

1. asked the Minister of Education for an update on youth services provision in the South Belfast constituency. (AQO 5292/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Youth provision in the South Belfast constituency is a matter for the Belfast Education and Library Board (BELB) and the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB). The boards have advised that there are 64 registered youth providers in the area, of which 56 are voluntary and eight are statutory.

During November 2013, I announced that 53 schemes were successful in their applications for grant-aid funding as part of my youth capital funding scheme for voluntary organisations. Five fall within the South Belfast constituency, totalling £852,000 out of overall funding of £12 million. The successful bids came from the Boys' Brigade's Belvoir project; the Catholic Guides of Ireland Northern Region, Belfast; the Forthspring Inter Community Group; Rosario Youth Centre and St Peter's Immaculata Youth Centre.

Recently, I cut the first sod on a £1·4 million development of a new youth club for the Belvoir area, which is a major capital scheme in the controlled youth sector.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for those details, but does he recognise — as he has recognised in the Boys' Brigade etc — the valuable work offered by other organisations such as the churches and the various community groups throughout? Will his Department encourage community groups to fully participate in youth service provision from here on in?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I agree with the Member about all the bodies that he referred to regarding the provision of youth services. The document on youth provision, 'Priorities for Youth', which was launched late last year, recognises the role played by uniform organisations and, indeed, church groups in the provision of youth services. I encourage them to continue to provide, under their auspices and through the use of their facilities, what are often in many areas the only youth services available. They encourage the education of young people in an informal setting. So, I congratulate them on the work conducted thus far and encourage them to continue to engage with the education boards on the provision of youth services.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast South)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. The Minister recently attended the official opening of the excellent facility of the St Malachy's youth centre in the Markets area of Belfast. What does he expect the benefits of that centre to be?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The St Malachy's centre was a jointly funded project between my Department and DSD. It is an impressive building, from the outside and inside. It is a statement to the community that government and Departments are prepared to invest in their well-being. The drive and enthusiasm that keeps youth provision going, as I said to Mr Spratt, comes from the hard work often of volunteers in the community. The church was involved in that project.

I would not presume to be able to tell St Malachy's and other organisations what work they should be doing other than what is outlined in 'Priorities for Youth'. The action plan in 'Priorities for Youth' allows communities and organisers to adapt their facilities and work programmes to meet the needs of their communities. Given the wide range of participation of young people on the night of the opening, there is clearly a wide programme of work being undertaken in that youth centre.

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

In reference to youth provision and discussions that we had, Annadale and Haywood youth club in south Belfast has no premises. During discussions with the BELB, it was said that it was to provide mobile premises. Where does the money come from? The city council has promised to provide £150,000 to erect it, the Housing Executive will provide the site and planners will provide planning permission, but still we await action from the education authorities. Bearing in mind the actions that we have seen at Rosario and St Malachy's, which I welcome, we have young people in this community with nowhere to go.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

We clearly want to improve youth facilities across all sectors. The statutory obligation for the provision of youth facilities is a matter for the Belfast Education and Library Board in these circumstances. If the Member wishes to write to me, I will be happy to raise the matter with the board and ensure that all proper policies and protocols have been followed. At the end of the day, from what I take from what the Member has said to me in this conversation, the decision will be a matter for the Belfast Education and Library Board. I have secured several million pounds worth of additional funding for youth services. I recently announced considerable investment in a capital programme for youth services, and I will continue to try to secure funds for resource and capital functions in youth services, because I believe them to be an integral part of our education system.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

Mr McGimpsey's question is similar to mine, but I want to further add to his comments about the difficulties with the Annadale youth project getting capital funding. I facilitated a meeting with the Belfast Education and Library Board, and it seems to be coming up against brick walls all the time. It is a good project, Minister. It is a cross-community project —

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I remind the Member that this is Question Time.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I just wonder what the Minister can do to help this group.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

As your question is similar to Mr McGimpsey's, my answer is similar to the answer that I gave to him. If the Member writes to me with regard to the matter, I will be happy to raise it with the Belfast Education and Library Board and will familiarise myself further with the details around it, but it is a decision for the Belfast Education and Library Board.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

2. asked the Minister of Education for an update on discussions regarding the shared education flagship project at Lisanelly. (AQO 5293/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The programme director and design team for the Lisanelly shared education campus have ongoing discussions and engagement with various stakeholders involved with the programme. Work on phase 1 of the programme has commenced on site. That includes the provision of a newbuild for Arvalee school and resource centre. The work also includes site-wide demolition and enabling works to allow for further phased developments on the campus. Construction work on Arvalee school is scheduled to commence in the autumn. I recently met representatives from Omagh High School who made clear their need for new facilities, which Lisanelly will provide.

Further phases of development are advancing through appropriate stages, and associated business cases have already been approved by government.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

Given that work has begun on the first school, which the Minister referred to, can the Minister give the House details about the current governance and accountability mechanisms that he has put in place to oversee the implementation of the project? What arrangements does he intend to put in place to ensure that governance, accountability, ownership and management of the site issues are properly dealt with?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I am in the process of establishing a programme board. I am awaiting confirmation of a number of names of people who I would like to sit on that board, who have skills that I think would greatly enhance the delivery of the project. I also wish to establish a stakeholder consultation group drawn from key stakeholders who will support the programme board and help to shape the final outcome of the Lisanelly campus.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I suggest to the Minister that he might consider organising a public seminar, perhaps in Omagh, to explain things in a spirit of openness to companies, including local companies, who would be interested in tendering for works associated with the Lisanelly campus. There is an appetite for it in the community, and people are asking questions. I think that an open-ended seminar explaining the procedures and protocols for everybody interested would be a good thing. I have mentioned it informally to the project director Hazel Jones, but I would like the Minister's endorsement for it.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The suggestion is good, and I have no difficulty with it. Community support in and around the Omagh area for the Lisanelly project has proven vital throughout the course of its delivery, and at times when there were doubts and concerns about it, it was the community support that kept the project going. So, I think that it is only right and proper that we keep the local community fully informed of developments and how the project will proceed going into the future. So, we will make arrangements for such a seminar to take place.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

Will the Minister tell us what reassurances his Department gave to every participating school involved in the Lisanelly project that their individual ethos will be protected? Can he also give a commitment that the same assurances will be given to any new schools entering other shared campuses?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Shared education campuses are about bringing together schools of different character and ethos to work with each other. I will not give any individual reassurances to schools in the sense that one school gets this reassurance and another gets that one. A collective reassurance was given to participants in the Lisanelly project that their ethos and identity would be protected on the site. However, shared education has to be about breaking down barriers and working with each other as well as challenging yourself and others.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

3. asked the Minister of Education for an update on the shared education campuses. (AQO 5294/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Last Friday, I announced the launch of the shared education campuses programme, which will contribute towards OFMDFM's Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) strategy by delivering on the commitment to create 10 shared campuses. The programme will complement the work already under way within DE on shared education and area planning, and it will be targeted at infrastructure projects aimed at improving or facilitating sharing initiatives within local schools. It has the potential to bring together a range of schools and aid the sharing of classes, subjects, sports and extra-curricular activities.

The programme will consider project proposals that demonstrate that they meet the following essential criteria: number and management type of School; educational and societal benefits; endorsement from respective managing authorities; evidence of parental, pupil and community support; and context of area planning. Priority will be given to project proposals that demonstrate that they meet the desirable criteria of location and evidence of existing sharing. Shared education proposals that meet the criteria for the programme should be submitted to the Department before the end of March 2014, and those selected to proceed in planning will be announced by the summer.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Will he outline how much money is available to his Department to progress with such shared education initiatives?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The T:BUC funding programme has yet to be confirmed. Executive parties are working together across a wide range of policy areas announced under Together: Building a United Community. I and my Department will no doubt have to make our own contribution towards that from our capital budget, but it will require Executive support into the future. We must wait to see which and how many projects come forward and their costings before we can confirm the budget required. However, it is an Executive commitment that my Department has signed up to, and I want to ensure that it is delivered.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur air i dtaobh an laithreáin roinnte oideachais in Ard Mhacha. An raibh aon chruinniú aige leis na daoine atá ag iarraidh an laithreán sin a chur chun cinn?

I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Has he had any discussions with those promoting the shared education facility in Armagh? If not, is he open to discussions with them?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I met the proposers of the Armagh project several months ago. Indeed, I visited the proposed site for the campus in Armagh city. We had a very good discussion. The project developers have work to do, and I said that I would keep abreast of developments in relation to the campus etc. I am reluctant to go into the detail of my views on it, because it may be one of the projects to come forward under this scheme, and, at the end of the day, I will be one of the decision-makers about suitable applications, and I want to be able to keep an open mind on all the applications that come to my office.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I welcome the announcement and the call for applications for funding. However, some schools feel deeply frustrated that they have only two and a half months to put an application together, particularly as so much time has passed since the initial announcement. Does the Minister think that that is sufficient time for real engagements to occur in schools and local communities and to make an appropriate application?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

What we are doing here is recognising shared education projects that have been taking place for a period of time. There are many examples of schools that are involved in shared education projects and would benefit from shared facilities to move them further forward. This project is not about schools coming together to develop or begin a shared education project. This announcement is about facilitating projects that are either at an advanced stage having been running for a number of years and would benefit from a shared facility or from schools that have been engaging with each other over a number of years, understand each other's requirements and, therefore, can submit a bid within the time frame announced.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Can the Minister assure us that shared schools will be a matter not just of a shared area but of shared classrooms and shared learning experiences, with different classes working together rather than separately?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

That is an important point. It is not about facility A being used by school B for an hour, and, when they move out, school C moving in. Shared education has to be about young people engaging with each other, sharing facilities together, learning together and learning about each other together.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

4. asked the Minister of Education to outline how much EU funding his Department has secured over the past five years. (AQO 5295/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

My Department’s ability to access EU funding is directly linked to the applicability of EU funding streams to the core business of the Department. In the period in question, our main focus has been on maximising the support available from the EU's Comenius and Youth in Action programmes. The British Council is an agency for those two programmes. The education service here has been able to benefit from a total of £4·2 million drawn down by the British Council during the 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13 financial years.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Following on from that answer, will the Minister detail how often his officials engage with European colleagues to explore the potential for EU investment in local education projects and ensure that we maximise the potential of that funding stream?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I do not have the exact details in front of me about the number of meetings that have taken place. However, I can assure the Member that engagement has been stepped up in recent years. My Department has been proactively exploring the possibility of attracting EU structural funds in respect of the 2014-2020 funding round to build capacity in our pupil enhancement and enrichment intervention activities in relation to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and business education. Exploratory work concluded that the objectives of the European social fund's investment for growth and jobs programme provided the best fit for the Department's STEM and business evaluation programmes. We are also exploring which other programmes, under the potential Peace IV, my Department could benefit from.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí go nuige seo. With reference to the EU work programme for 2014, what discussions have the Minister or his Department had with the Minister for Employment and Learning or his officials to ensure that our young people get the right education and skill set to avail themselves of opportunities that exist in the green economy?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I do not have the exact details of meetings etc before me. However, I can assure the Member that discussions have been taking place with DFP, the Executive office in Brussels, DEL as the managing authority for the European social fund and DETI as a managing authority for the European regional development fund. I will forward more specific information on the green economy to the Member.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Has the Minister explored any EU funding opportunities that may assist with current, or even new, shared education projects?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

We are exploring how my Department could fit in under any Peace IV funding. We have had discussions on that matter with a range of bodies. I am also looking at funding from other quarters for shared education projects and hope to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

5. asked the Minister of Education what further steps are being taken by his Department to address the significant re-advertisement of principals' posts. (AQO 5296/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

My Department does not recruit or employ teachers, including principals, and therefore does not hold information on the re-advertisement of posts. My officials have, however, sought the information from the relevant employing authorities.

Education and library boards have advised that, over the past three years, they have, on average, re-advertised approximately 10% of principal posts in the controlled primary sector and approximately 39% in the post-primary sector. The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) has advised that, in the same period, it has re-advertised approximately 4% of principal posts in the Catholic maintained primary sector and approximately 11% in the post-primary sector. Although the figures do not indicate that there has been a significant re-advertisement of principals' posts in the primary sector, there appears to be an issue regarding the re-advertisement of principal posts, particularly across the controlled sector at post-primary level.

It is important to note that small numbers of principal posts have been re-advertised at post-primary level, which distorts the figures somewhat. Nevertheless, I have asked management side of the Teachers' Negotiating Committee, which is made up of employer representatives, to consider the issue. I recognise that the information relates only to the controlled and Catholic maintained sectors. The other sectors — voluntary grammar, grant-maintained integrated and Irish-medium — do not have employing authorities. It will take considerable time to collect and collate that information. However, I am content to do so and provide the Member with the information in written format in due course.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he accept that it is often quite difficult to get people to take up the onerous job of principal in a primary school? What remedial action can be taken to try to make the post more attractive, particularly for male principals of primary schools?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

As I said, I have asked management side of the Teachers' Negotiating Committee to look at the matter to ensure that applicants come forward for posts once they are advertised. We are also reviewing how we develop and support new leaders into the future, and, at an earlier stage, how we identify those new leaders. That is quite a complex issue.

Being a principal is an onerous task, but it is also very rewarding. The responsibility of ensuring the educational well-being of our young people is a task that many of our principals relish. Of course it is difficult, given the responsibilities involved. My responsibility is to ensure that we have in place the resources and the capability to identify and encourage new leaders and to promote and ensure that there is continuous professional development. I have those matters under review and want to enhance them as we move forward.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

6. asked the Minister of Education for an update on the revision of the common funding formula. (AQO 5297/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

My proposals on the reform of the common funding scheme have been the subject of a widespread consultation, with around 15,000 consultation responses being received. I have previously stated that I will not make any final decisions until a full analysis of all those consultation responses and the equality impact assessment (EQIA) has been carried out. I will give careful consideration to the views of all those who responded. The changes to the common funding scheme for schools remain on track for delivery for the new financial year, and I intend to make my final decision and advise schools of their actual allocations as soon as possible.

I want to ensure that there is no unnecessary delay in reforming the common funding scheme and in directing additional support to the schools with the highest numbers of pupils from socially deprived backgrounds. It is unacceptable that children from socially deprived backgrounds, as shown by free school meal indicators, are only half as likely to obtain five GCSEs at A* to C, including English and maths, as their more affluent counterparts. I am sure that Members will agree that the situation cannot and should not be allowed to continue.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Widespread concerns have been expressed about the proposals on the common funding formula by organisations such as the Children's Law Centre and many others. Will he give assurances to the House that the process will be set aside for this year and that the discussions can continue, in order to ensure that we get a properly structured process of funding for our schools that is based on educational disadvantage rather than very blunt social criteria?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Referring to and taking selected quotes from one consultation response is not the practice that I have been taking part in. We have had a very substantial review of the consultation responses, and a very detailed report on the way forward will be published for Members and the public to peruse. I am not setting aside changes to the common funding scheme. I am moving ahead, having taken into account the consultation responses, the debates in the Chamber and comments from Members and other bodies on the common funding scheme.

I believe that we can come forward with a scheme that meets the needs of our society through eradicating educational underachievement, given its association with poverty. I believe that the measures that we have in place for free school meals are robust. If others come forward in the time ahead with an equally robust or better system, I think that that should be taken into consideration moving forward. However, we have to move forward and we have to tackle the issue head on. I intend to do that in the time ahead.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. In light of our post-primary children's recently publicised year 12 and year 14 examination results, does he remain committed, in any revised common funding scheme, to tackling the effects of poverty?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I do remain committed to doing so. Indeed, it is worth remembering that the Public Accounts Committee, which, as I have stated previously at Question Time is one of the most respected Committees of the Assembly, challenged my Department to tackle head-on the common funding scheme and the association of poverty with educational underachievement. The formula is the greatest single indicator of educational outcomes that we have. A child who is in receipt of free school meals has a 50% less chance of achieving an education than a child who is not. No Member who is opposed to me using that formula has come up with an alternative version or vision of it. I accept that the Committee for Education is planning or is involved in some work on that.

The common funding scheme can be changed year-on-year; the mechanism is there. If the Committee or other bodies come forward with a reliable measure of poverty, I will not be found wanting in using it. No one yet has dismissed the ability of the free school meals mechanism to identify a child's individual needs. Therefore, I will use that mechanism, and if others come forward with a better system, I will use that.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. At this stage, all schools will have agreed three-year financial plans with their education and library boards. What reassurance can you give small schools in particular that the level of small-school support will be safeguarded beyond 2014?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I made my views on small-school support known when I responded to Sir Bob Salisbury's common funding scheme. It is worth noting that Sir Bob wanted to remove it. It is also worth noting that tens of millions of pounds are involved in small-school support. I think that Members should refresh themselves about this: it is worth noting that it does not do exactly what it says on the tin.

When Members hear that there is small-school support, you imagine a small rural or small urban school with significantly low numbers of pupils. However, a school can be funded until it has 350 pupils at post-primary level and maybe beyond, and the numbers that are involved in primary schools are quite significant as well. However, I have committed to maintaining it. I believe that the matter needs further debate and discussion, but if Members seriously want to support small schools, there is a duty on us all to ask whether there is a better way of doing it. What is your definition of a small school? What is your understanding of a small school going into the future? I have committed to doing nothing until further work is done on the matter.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

In light of recent High Court decisions, will the Minister be referring any revision of the common funding formula, given that it is undoubtedly controversial, to the Executive?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I believe that I have conducted myself within my ministerial obligations and according to the ministerial code, and I will continue to do so.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

That ends questions for oral answer. We will now move on to topical questions. The first name listed has been withdrawn, so I call Mr Jim Wells.