Northern Ireland Assembly, 14 January 2020

275 contributions from 61 members. The official report.

Assembly Business

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Good morning, Members. Maidin mhaith.

At the last sitting, it was announced that Mr Matthew O'Toole had been returned as a Member for South Belfast. For clarity, I would like to add that Mr O'Toole gave the undertaking, signed the Roll of Membership and entered his designation in the presence of the Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive just before the sitting on Saturday 11 January. That is just for the record. Of course, the Member is welcome.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

This item relates to Question Time rescheduling.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

I beg to move

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 14 January 2020.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Before we proceed to the Question, I remind Members that the motion requires cross-community support.

Question put and agreed to. Resolved (with cross-community support):

That Standing Order 20(1) be suspended for 14 January 2020.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As there are Ayes from all sides of the Chamber and no dissenting voices, I am satisfied that cross-community support has been demonstrated.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As this is a business motion, there will be no debate.

Resolved:

That, in accordance with Standing Orders 46 and 47, this Assembly determines that nine Statutory Committees shall be established as follows: the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs; the Committee for Communities; the Committee for the Economy; the Committee for Education; the Committee for the Executive Office; the Committee for Finance; the Committee for Health; the Committee for Infrastructure; and the Committee for Justice. Terms of reference, quorum and composition of the Committees shall be as prescribed in Standing Orders 48 and 49. — [Mr Butler.]

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I notice that the motion that we have just passed ties itself to Standing Orders 48 and 49. In consequence, does that mean that the Statutory Committees are going to continue with a membership of 11, because that is what, of course, those Standing Orders say?

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The composition of the Committees is under consideration by the Business Committee, Mr Allister, so that will be a matter for further consideration by the Business Committee and, therefore, the House after that.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker, it is not a matter for the Business Committee to change Standing Orders, surely, and, if Standing Orders provide for 11, the only manner in which you can avoid 11 is either to change Standing Orders or to suspend Standing Orders. Are we getting to the point where we will suspend that Standing Order?

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I will make this the final ruling: the Business Committee will consider that and bring it back to the House for further consideration. At the moment, the membership will remain at 11 until further change by the House.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

In accordance with the procedure set out in Standing Order 48, I shall ask the nominating officer of each political party, in the order required by the formula contained in Standing Order 48, to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a person who is a member of his or her party and a Member of the Assembly to be the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson. I remind parties of the requirement of Standing Order 48(5) that nominating officers shall prefer Committees in which they do not have a party interest over those in which they do. For the avoidance of doubt, that means I will expect parties to refrain as far as possible from selecting Committees that coincide with the ministerial offices held by their party.

I now call on Arlene Foster, as nominating officer of the party that has the highest figure under the formula, to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a person who is a member of her party and a Member of the Assembly to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I choose the Justice Committee, and I nominate Paul Givan to be the Chairman.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Yes, Mr Speaker.

Mr Paul Givan appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on John O'Dowd to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a Member to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We select the Economy Committee and appoint Caoimhe Archibald to that post.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Caoimhe Archibald (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

I am, a Cheann Comhairle.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald appointed Chairperson of the Committee for the Economy.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call again on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Communities Committee and select Paula Bradley as the Chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Paula Bradley (DUP, Belfast North)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Ms Paula Bradley appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Communities.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call again on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We select the Health Committee and appoint Colm Gildernew to that post.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Colm Gildernew (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Tá mé, I am a Cheann Comhairle.

Mr Colm Gildernew appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Health.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I now call on Mrs Dolores Kelly to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a Member to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We select the Committee for the Executive Office, and I nominate Colin McGrath as Chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Colin McGrath (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr Colin McGrath appointed Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I now call on Steve Aiken to select an available Statutory Committee and nominate a Member to be its Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

Mr Speaker, in line with Standing Orders, I will make the nomination. Is that OK?

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

You are saying that you are making the nomination.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

Yes, Mr Speaker. I sent a letter in this morning.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Did we receive that letter? We will just pause for a moment or two. I do not have sight of that. We do not have sight of that letter. Was it first-class post or second-class post?

Steve Aiken (UUP, South Antrim)

You hope this is a transference, but we are not doing that.

[Laughter.]

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

You will just have to take your ease for a minute or two, Members. Sorry about this. It is a legal requirement.

Members, we can recommence. Steve, could you confirm that you have conferred to Robbie the responsibility of nominating officer?

Steve Aiken (UUP, South Antrim)

For this one thing, Mr Speaker, I indeed confer the responsibility to my Chief Whip, Robbie Butler.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Thank you very much. I now call on Robbie Butler to select and nominate.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

My apologies, Mr Speaker. I delivered it to the wrong office. I probably would not make a good postperson.

We take the Committee for Finance, and I nominate Steve Aiken.

[Applause.]

[Laughter.]

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Order. Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Some Members

No.

[Laughter.]

Steve Aiken (UUP, South Antrim)

Delighted to, chief.

Dr Steve Aiken appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Finance.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call again on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Committee for Infrastructure, and I nominate Michelle McIlveen as Chairperson.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Miss Michelle McIlveen appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Infrastructure.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call again on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We select the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, and we appoint Declan McAleer.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Tá, yes, a Cheann Comhairle.

Mr Declan McAleer appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I now call on Kellie Armstrong to select and nominate, please.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

We choose the Department of Education and Mr Chris Lyttle to be Chair of that Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

Yes, Mr Speaker.

Mr Chris Lyttle appointed Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Finance Committee, and I nominate Paul Frew as the vice chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Paul Frew (DUP, North Antrim)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr Paul Frew appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Finance.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

We select the vice chair of the Justice Committee and appoint Linda Dillon to that position.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Linda Dillon (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I am, a Cheann Comhairle.

Ms Linda Dillon appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Dolores Kelly to select and nominate.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We select the Department for the Economy and, as vice chair, Sinead McLaughlin.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Sinéad McLaughlin (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Ms Sinead McLaughlin appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Economy.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Health Committee and nominate Gary Middleton as the vice chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Gary Middleton (DUP, Foyle)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr Gary Middleton appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Health.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

We select the vice chair of the Education Committee and appoint Karen Mullan.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Karen Mullan (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Yes, a Cheann Comhairle.

Ms Karen Mullan appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Education.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Robbie Butler to select and nominate.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

We —

[Interruption.]

We select the Executive Office and nominate Mike Nesbitt.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I am.

Mr Mike Nesbitt appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I choose the Committee for Infrastructure, and I appoint David Hilditch as the vice chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

Yes, Mr Speaker.

Mr David Hilditch appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Infrastructure.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

We select the vice chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee and appoint Philip McGuigan.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Philip McGuigan (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Tá, a Cheann Comhairle. Yes.

Mr Philip McGuigan appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Kellie Armstrong to select and nominate.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

Mr Speaker, for the final vice chair, the Department for Communities, the Alliance Party's nomination is myself, Kellie Armstrong.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

[Laughter.]

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

Yes.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I sort of thought you would.

Ms Kellie Armstrong appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Communities.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

That concludes the appointment of the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the Statutory Committees.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I am required to supervise the appointment of a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson to each Standing Committee other than the Business Committee, in accordance with the procedure set out in Standing Order 51. I shall ask the nominating officer for each political party, in the order required by the formula in Standing Order 51(2), to select an available Standing Committee and nominate a person who is a member of his or her party and a Member of the Assembly to be Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson.

Before we commence, I remind Members of the requirement of Standing Order 56(3) that neither the Chairperson nor Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee shall be a member of the same political party as the Minister of Finance or of any junior Minister appointed to the Department of Finance.

I now call on Mrs Arlene Foster, as nominating officer of the party which has the highest figure under the formula laid down in Standing Orders, to select an available Standing Committee and nominate a person who is a member of her party and a Member of the Assembly to be Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of it.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I choose the Public Accounts Committee, and I nominate William Humphrey as Chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr William Humphrey appointed Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on John O'Dowd to select an available Standing Committee and nominate a person who is a member of his party and of the Assembly to be Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of it.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We select the Standards and Privileges Committee and appoint Sinéad Ennis.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Sinéad Ennis (Sinn Féin, South Down)

I am, a Cheann Comhairle.

Ms Sinéad Ennis appointed Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Assembly and Executive Review Committee and nominate Mervyn Storey as Chairperson. I understand that Mr Storey has submitted a letter to the Speaker's Office, because, unfortunately, he has a family bereavement and cannot be here today.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Thank you, Mrs Foster. I have received correspondence from Mervyn Storey that he is willing to accept the nomination.

Mr Mervyn Storey appointed Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

On behalf of the Assembly, I extend our condolences to Mervyn on the death of his father.

I call on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

A Cheann Comhairle, we select the Procedures Committee and appoint Carál Ní Chuilín.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which she has been nominated?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Glacaim. I accept, a Cheann Comhairle.

Ms Carál Ní Chuilín appointed Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Dolores Kelly to select and nominate.

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

We select the Audit Committee and nominate Daniel McCrossan.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Daniel McCrossan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr Daniel McCrossan appointed Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I now call on Steve Aiken to select an available Standing Committee and nominate a person for a post.

Steve Aiken (UUP, South Antrim)

We nominate Roy Beggs to the Public Accounts Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I am willing to take up the office of vice Chair.

Mr Roy Beggs appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I select the Standards and Privileges Committee, and I nominate William Irwin as vice Chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr William Irwin appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on John O'Dowd to select and nominate.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We select the vice Chair of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee and appoint Maolíosa McHugh.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Maolíosa McHugh (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Glacaim leis sin. Go raibh maith agat.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Maith go leor. Thank you.

Mr Maolíosa McHugh appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Kellie Armstrong to select and nominate.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

We choose the Audit Committee and appoint Andrew Muir as vice Chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Andrew Muir (Alliance, North Down)

I am.

Mr Andrew Muir appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I call on Arlene Foster to select and nominate.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Procedures Committee is what is left, and I nominate Tom Buchanan as vice Chair.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Is the Member willing to take up the office for which he has been nominated?

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I am, Mr Speaker.

Mr Thomas Buchanan appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures.

That concludes the appointment of the Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of the Standing Committees.

Robbie Butler (UUP, Lagan Valley)

I beg to move

That Standing Order 79(2) be suspended for 14 January 2020.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Before we proceed to the Question, I remind Members that the motion requires cross-community support.

Resolved (with cross-community support):

That Standing Order 79(2) be suspended for 14 January 2020.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As there are Ayes from all sides of the Chamber and there are no dissenting voices, I am satisfied that cross-community support has been demonstrated.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As with similar motions, this motion will be treated as a business motion. There will be no debate. I remind Members that Standing Orders require that such a motion be approved with cross-community support.

Resolved (with cross-community support):

That, in accordance with Standing Order 79, the following shall be appointed to be Members of the Assembly Commission: The Speaker (ex officio) Ms Kellie Armstrong Mr Robbie Butler Mrs Pam Cameron Mrs Dolores Kelly Mr John O'Dowd — [Mr Butler.]

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As there are Ayes from all sides of the Chamber and there are no dissenting voices, I am satisfied that cross-community support has been demonstrated.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The next item of business is the election of a Principal Deputy Speaker. The process will be conducted in accordance with Standing Order 5A. I will begin by asking for a nomination. Any Member may rise to nominate one of the Deputy Speakers to act as Principal Deputy Speaker. I will then confirm that the person nominated is willing to act as Principal Deputy Speaker, and then a debate relevant to that nomination may take place. The Business Committee has agreed that only one Member should speak on behalf of each party in the debate. They will be allowed up to three minutes each. At the end of the debate, I will put the Question on the nomination. The vote will be on a cross-community basis. Of course, if the proposal is not carried, I shall ask for a further nomination and the process may be repeated.

Do I have a proposal for a Deputy Speaker to be nominated to be Principal Deputy Speaker? Members should rise in their place.

Nichola Mallon (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Just a few days ago, a number of parties signed up to the 'New Decade, New Approach' agreement and entered the Executive in good faith. That is signalling a new approach through being inclusive and power-sharing. There is no purpose or point to this item other than to confer an elevated title on one of three Deputy Speakers.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

That is not a point of order.

Nichola Mallon (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

If I could just very quickly make the point. We are just making the point that we do not support it and that —

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

It is not a point of order. You will have three minutes to speak to the motion. OK? Thank you.

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

I nominate Mr Christopher Stalford to the post of Principal Deputy Speaker.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Deputy Speaker, do you agree to act as Principal Deputy Speaker?

Christopher Stalford (DUP, Belfast South)

Yes, Mr Speaker.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Thank you. Standing Orders provide for a debate to take place on the nomination. Members may speak only once in the debate. Standing Order 5A(7) requires the debate to be relevant to the nomination. I will not allow Members to stray into any other area. Members will have up to three minutes in which to speak.

I call the Member who made the nomination, Gordon Lyons.

Gordon Lyons (DUP, East Antrim)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party, I am delighted to be able to nominate Mr Christopher Stalford to the position of Principal Deputy Speaker.

I know Christopher, and I have known him for quite a number of years. I know how committed he is to his constituents and to serving in public life, and I have no doubt that, if the House agrees to make him Principal Deputy Speaker, he will serve, and he will serve well, in this place. He does, of course, have previous experience of chairing debates, having served as a Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast.

Mr Speaker, I know it is not the tradition in the House for the Speaker to wear a wig or robes. That may well change if the Deputy Speaker whom I am nominating has his way.

I say that by way of warning, and I hope that that will not turn off any Members from supporting him. All joking aside, however, we have confidence in his abilities. We have confidence in his impartiality and know that he will provide a good service to the House and the people of Northern Ireland in the role.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Before I call the next Member to speak, I want to make a point for the benefit of all Members. I address this directly to Mr Colin McGrath. There will be plenty of opportunities in the House for Members who feel aggrieved or who disagree with any ruling by the Speaker to have their say, but I will not tolerate you, Member McGrath, or anybody else coming up to the back of the podium and insulting the Speaker in the middle of a plenary debate. I will not accept that. In future, I will take action.

[Interruption.]

Order. I want Members to take note of that. That is twice in two days that it has happened involving the Member, and that is why I am taking the unusual step of saying that I will not allow such behaviour to continue.

[Interruption.]

Order in the House.

Nichola Mallon (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

A few days ago, a number of parties signed up to the 'New Decade, New Approach' agreement, in the sense that it was the basis on which we were entering the Executive in good faith. It is, we believe, adopting a new way of doing politics, which is one based on inclusivity and genuine power-sharing.

There is no purpose or point to this business other than to confer, as I said earlier, an elevated title on one of three Deputy Speakers, all of whom hold equal roles. It represents, sadly, a continuation of a past decade and a past approach, and we cannot support it.

I want to make the point, however, that this is in no way a reflection on or related to Mr Christopher Stalford, whom our party fully supports and has faith in. It is not the appointment of Mr Stalford that we disagree with but the title that is to be conferred on him.

Some Members

Hear, hear.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

The Alliance Party has opposed this role each time that it has come up, for the reasons that have already been spelt out. It is an honorary title. Our opposition is no reflection on any of the three Deputy Speakers. We just feel that, in this day and age, it is not right to elevate someone above the other Deputy Speakers when that is not the case. There is no money attached to the position. There is no privilege or prestige to it other than a title. Therefore, the Alliance Party will be opposing any nominations.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

As has been said correctly, this is a non-post. It is sheerly a post for vanity purposes to emphasise the carve-up between the two main parties.

I remind Members that the post was specially created in 2011 not because of need or because of any compulsion to help the running of the House but as a sop to Sinn Féin and to give someone a title. Of course, some from the Sinn Féin Benches in a former life enjoyed titles and are perhaps finding it difficult to live without them. We therefore created the preposterous post of Principal Deputy Speaker, as if inserting the word "Principal" bestowed any powers over and above those that exist for any Deputy Speaker. The Principal Deputy Speaker has no powers, no rights, no authority and no standing above any other Deputy Speaker, so why do we have the title? It is a title that is a nonsense in itself and is but, as I said, a perpetuation of the carve-up in this House.

Mr Stalford, I am sure, will carry off the role with great aplomb. It may not have been the title that he was hoping for, as he may have been hoping for that of junior Minister in the Executive Office. However, the crumbs are better, he may think, than nothing, although I would tell him that "nothing" is a very good place to be in this House.

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

May I just say that this position is akin to a similar position that exists in Westminster? It is not unusual for there to be a distinguishing feature among the Deputy Speakers there, so this is not something that should cause any concern, particularly to unionists in the House.

In respect of the nomination of Christopher Stalford, he and I go back many years, to the Young Democrats of the Democratic Unionist Party. I first met him when I was 15. We sat together in a school debate in Belfast City Hall, Mr Speaker — a place that you will have been familiar with. I am not sure whether you chaired those proceedings. At that point, Christopher and I ended up sitting beside each other, and we had a very successful tag team debating event. I am sure that the behaviour that Christopher demonstrated there will not be repeated as Principal Deputy Speaker and that he will be on his best behaviour in the House. I have no doubt that Christopher will be able to carry out the role in the distinguished fashion that he is accustomed to. I know that he is also mindful of his roots as a working-class unionist who is pleased to be able to take up this position in the Assembly.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

That concludes the debate as there are no other Members indicating that they wish to speak. I remind the Assembly that cross-community support is required.

Question put, That Mr Christopher Stalford be Principal Deputy Speaker of this Assembly. The Assembly divided.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

OK, Members. I apologise: we are still having technical difficulties with the IT system, so we will defer the result of the Vote until later in the business this morning.

Ministerial Statements

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

While we wait with bated breath for the result of the very close contest that we have just taken part in, I would like to make a statement updating the Assembly on my capital investment plans under the second call to the school enhancement programme, also known as "SEP2".

By way of background, the school enhancement programme was first announced in June 2012. The programme makes funding of between £500,000 and £4 million available for projects aimed at refurbishing or extending existing school provision. Particularly for Members who may be unfamiliar with the project, I make it clear that that is not a new school build; it is refurbishing or extending existing school provision. The first call to SEP was launched in January 2013 and resulted in projects in 50 schools being announced to advance in planning. Forty-seven of those projects are either now complete or close to completion, with two currently on site. One project is on hold, pending a decision on a major works project funded under the Fresh Start Agreement for shared and integrated education.

Given the success of SEP1, on 25 January 2017, I made a written statement to the Assembly on my proposal to make a second call for applications under the programme. By the closing date of 28 February 2017, a total of 165 applications had been received under the call. Those applications were then assessed under the agreed protocol, and separate priority lists were created for primary, post-primary and special schools. To ensure that a pipeline of SEP projects was maintained in the absence of Ministers, the Department's permanent secretary made an announcement in May 2018 of 25 projects from the prioritised lists to advance in planning. Those projects have an estimated investment of £60 million. A further 16 schools, with an enhanced investment of £40 million, were announced by the permanent secretary in January 2019.

Today, I am pleased to announce a further 18 schools that will advance in planning under the school enhancement programme. Twelve are primary schools; five are post-primary schools; and there is one special school that will benefit from an estimated capital investment of about £45 million. The 12 primary schools to advance in planning are as follows: Botanic Primary School in Belfast; Carrick Primary School in Lurgan; Cliftonville Controlled Integrated Primary School in Belfast; Glencraig Controlled Integrated Primary School, close to Holywood; Holy Child Primary School in Londonderry; Irvinestown Primary School; Kilcooley Primary School; Killinchy Primary School; St John the Baptist Primary School in Belfast; St Kieran's Primary School, Dunmurry; St Paul's Primary School in Mica Drive, Belfast; and Strabane Primary School. The five post-primary schools are Glastry College, Ballyhalbert; St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena; St Patrick's College, Maghera; Sullivan Upper School, Holywood; and Victoria College, Belfast. The eighteenth school that will receive investment is Riverside special school, which is in Antrim.

This is a significant investment that will deliver much-needed capital investment in the schools estate via the school enhancement programme. Improving the schools estate is a priority for me, and the SEP has been an excellent way of delivering capital works projects that have an immediate, positive impact on the schools and pupils. Today's announcement is not just good news for the schools themselves but represents a welcome boost to the economy, especially the construction industry.

In addition to this SEP announcement, I continue to advance the programme of major capital builds, as well as a programme of much-needed minor works across the estate. I will also look to invest in maintenance works across all schools to ensure schools are fit for purpose and enable effective teaching and learning for the benefit of all our children and young people.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

It is a privilege to serve as Chairperson of the Education Committee. I look forward to working with Committee colleagues and the Minister to ensure we deliver better education for all in our community.

There are obviously many serious challenges facing education to which we must respond decisively. Capital investment is urgently needed by many schools in Northern Ireland, and, whilst the announcement is welcome news for a small number of schools, radical investment and reform is needed to ensure that all our school facilities are fit for purpose. How and when will the Minister establish the root-and-branch independent review of education envisaged by the new deal proposals in order to deliver a reformed, integrated and sustainably resourced education system for all?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

First of all, I congratulate the Member on his appointment as Chair of the Education Committee. I know, from the previous mandate when he worked as vice Chair, of his particular passion and involvement in and knowledge of education. I look forward to working with him, the vice Chair and, indeed, all the members of the Education Committee when they are appointed. He is right that the announcement today, even on the capital side, is one piece of the jigsaw. It is important to say that, as we move ahead, there will be a mixture of announcements — some dealing with minor works; some potentially with other SEP announcements — and major capital works. It is important that, as we move ahead, that is part of an overall coordinated position on and picture of how we will deliver, in particular, the school estate in terms of education.

He mentioned the need for reform, and I concur with him. It is undoubtedly the case that, while, for any incoming Minister, there are major resource challenges out there, there is also a strong need to ensure that we get the best possible delivery for all our children. It is also an issue of transformation and reform, and I think that anyone believing that it is simply one or the other —. I am committed to the new document in terms of the delivery of the project of how we globally, if you like, reform education, and I hope to bring proposals soon to the Assembly in connection with that.

Christopher Stalford (DUP, Belfast South)

I am grateful to the Minister for his statement and the additional investment that will go into schools in my constituency, particularly Botanic Primary School and Victoria College.

It is the ambition of us all, or at least it should be, that we have a school estate that is fit for the education of our children.

On the theme of all politics being local, I ask the Minister to indicate that he is prepared to visit Nettlefield Primary School off the Woodstock Road to see for himself the need for capital investment in order to improve its facilities.

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

I thank the Member for his comments. I do not have great foresight, but I suspect, particularly when we are dealing with a school enhancement programme and, indeed, capital build for schools, that there may be a theme running through a number of the questions that contains a certain level of local interest. It is good that MLAs have that local interest. I will consider and try to accommodate as many invitations as possible. I do not want to give a specific commitment to an individual invitation, but I will certainly be trying to get out and about as much as possible, because I think it is important that any Minister, particularly an Education Minister, does so.

Across the system, there is a need for capital investment. We need to ensure that no child who goes through the gates of a school is disadvantaged because of the school's physical fabric or its lack of facilities. That means that, with any investment programme, any money has to be made available in a robust and impartial way. As part of that, I am willing and more than happy to visit a range of schools across Northern Ireland.

Karen Mullan (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

First, I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. I look forward to working alongside him and other members of the Committee on progressing the work that we have been doing all along.

I welcome today's announcement of much-needed capital investment, particularly for Holy Child Primary School in Creggan in Derry, a school in my constituency that is over 60 years old and in much need of improved accommodation.

Given the crisis in the education budget, is it the Minister's intention to advance the programme of major capital builds and other works across the school estate?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

First, I congratulate the Member on her appointment to vice Chair. I know the work that she has put in over the past few years as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on education, and I look forward to her continuing that work through the formal structures of the Committee.

Yes, it is undoubtedly the case that this is part of a wider picture and a wider jigsaw of need for capital investment. The Member refers to the financial pressures in education. That is undoubtedly the case, and we will be working with Executive colleagues on a range of financial pressures that needs to be dealt with.

There is a little bit more positive news on the capital side. We will be looking to advance major capital works as well. It is important that there be a flow of works that can lead to a level of improvement. I am sure that various Members will have particular schools in mind from their own constituency, but it is undoubtedly always the case that, although a considerable amount will be spent on school improvement through a range of projects, if more money is available, more money can be spent. To that extent, we are also trying to deal with a certain backlog of maintenance work, as well as a need to try to provide the best possible facilities for all our pupils.

Colin McGrath (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I congratulate Minister Weir on his appointment. It will provide a certain amount of continuity, and I look forward to discussing important issues, such as special educational needs and youth services, in the period ahead.

In the context of today's announcement, there is sometimes a bit of concern that the time between the announcement and the shovel going into the ground can be too long. Can the Minister give us some assurances about the work that he will undertake to ensure that these projects are delivered in a timely manner?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

The Member has become the Chair of the Committee for the Executive Office. I hope that TEO's gain does not become Education's loss. Although it is obviously not my place to appoint members to the Education Committee, I value the experience that the Member brought to the issues as the SDLP education spokesperson.

The school enhancement programme is now a well-trialled and well-worked scheme. It can be the case with any capital build, whether schools, hospitals or a range of other things, that, if you are looking at a major capital programme involving new works, there can be a very long delay between announcement and completion. The one advantage of the school enhancement programme is that it is on a scale of between half a million pounds and £4 million, and it is, effectively, work on-site. One of the processes with new capital build is going through a site search to make sure that you are getting best value for public money and, indeed, finding the most appropriate place. These works will, essentially, be on-site and, therefore, the time between announcement and completion will be shorter than for a major capital announcement.

I mentioned that 47 of 50 in the initial tranche are more or less complete. For all of us, I am sure that there is always a frustration about how quickly these things are turned around. Certainly, we will make sure that this happens as soon as is practicable for each of those schools.

Rosemary Barton (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Mr Weir, I also congratulate you on your appointment as Minister of Education.

I welcome this school enhancement programme, which adds 18 extra schools to the list, and the capital investment of £45 million in them. Particularly, I am pleased to see Irvinestown Primary School in Fermanagh/South Tyrone on the list. That should give it a boost. However, can the Minister confirm that the money is available immediately and ring-fenced for this purpose?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

Do not forget the expenditure. First, without this sounding a little like a love-in of former education spokespersons — I think you are the fourth party education spokesperson to speak — I look forward to working with you.

The money is available, and because it is a capital build, there is a flow of projects. The Department is confident that the money is there. Most of it will not be spent immediately. Probably, it will not occur within this financial year. Unless there is some radical change of direction from the Executive to suddenly cut all programmes, there is confidence that that money is there. It is not dependent upon additional resources from, for example, the British Government, and there is a long tradition on a number of calls with SEPs, so people can take that the announcement means that works at these 18 schools will happen.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

From the outset, I would like to declare that I am a governor of Killinchy Primary school, and I have met the EA on a number of important issues in relation to it. I am delighted that Killinchy Primary School and Glastry College will benefit from the Minister's announcement.

Is the Minister in a position to give details of the anticipated work to be carried out, the amount of money to be allocated and the likely delivery timescales for both schools?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

I thank the Member. I know she has been very proactive in pressing the case for Killinchy Primary in particular.

I will highlight a couple of things. First, the money available in each case will be up to £4 million. It is probably likely to be in the region of £3 million to £4 million each. On the detail of what will happen, it is important, because I suspect that this will be raised by a number of Members, to say that the next steps in the process will be that work will go on between the Department and the individual schools to work up the project. All 18 schools have been approved, and all will receive their SEP. The specific detail of what schools get might alter as a result of those discussions. On some occasions in the past, that has been additionally positive. Sometimes, it can be the substitution of what is being provided: it might be found, for example, that a school's actual priority is ensuring that it has safe wiring or something of that nature. It can also be the case that, if it is then found that, within the envelope of money available, the project can be delivered at a lower rate, some additional money could be available.

On the specifics of the two bits, the remarks I made about what is proposed reflect a school's ask and not necessarily what the end result will be. Glastry College, I think, has highlighted an issue of additional accommodation to bring it up to the schedule of accommodation — for example, a number of units in the school are undersized, and there is a lack of a sports hall. That will form part of the discussions, particularly as regards Glastry. For Killinchy, again, there are accommodation issues and size issues, and I know that there has been a particular issue around traffic management, which, I think, will be a priority as well. Those issues reflect the asks of the school, and there will then be an iteration of discussion around those projects with the individual schools. That is an important caveat to make clear to people. In fact, however, it will mean that all these schools will receive a school enhancement programme.

Jemma Dolan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement, and, in particular, I welcome his inclusion of Irvinestown Primary School in the school enhancement project. Will he ensure that the next stage is delivered as soon as possible?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

There will be no delay in relation to that. It is fair to say that good work has always been done by the Department on the SEP. I appreciate that former Minister O'Dowd originally announced it. As part of that, there has been a good working relationship between schools, contractors and the Department in helping to deliver the programme. Certainly, there will be no undue delays.

As I said, because of some of the restrictions that do not apply to the school enhancement programme, as opposed to a much larger capital build, which might involve a £20 million or £30 million project, schools are not simply refurbished or provided with new classrooms overnight, but, in terms of timescales, it is a lot better than other capital projects. Certainly, there will not be any level of delay.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I, too, congratulate Minister Weir on his re-election. I am delighted that he has included three schools in the North Down area, and I congratulate him on remembering his roots and where he came from. No doubt, it probably did not influence his decision.

Will the Minister indicate how we justify the school enhancement programme against a new build for specific buildings? Is the public getting value for money, or is this just a short-term exercise that puts off the dreaded day when we need new buildings in a lot of areas rather than just a short-term fix?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

It is a cocktail of capital projects. It is important that, in terms of the capital money that is available, we ensure that there is a steady spend of that money to deliver for people. As such, it does, I believe, deliver value for money. If we were in a situation where, for example, school enhancement programmes were simply in place of there ever being any major capital builds, that would be the wrong approach. Similarly, if we simply concentrated on new capital builds, we would have a limited number of projects, and this is an opportunity to deliver that.

It is also the case, I am sure, that even some of the schools that applied would, in an ideal world, like an entirely new capital build. It is also the case that, on a case-by-case basis, not all schools will require a new capital build. Sometimes, it is also the case that it is less about the fabric of the existing building but may well be a lack of particular facilities. It may mean that, while the school building itself is very good, there may be a lack of a sports hall or, while provision of subject matters in, say, English and history may be fine, the science lab may need to be looked at.

Emma Sheerin (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Comhghairdeas leat i do ról nua. Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I congratulate you on your new role. I also want to thank the Minister and congratulate him on his new role.

Like others around the Chamber, I welcome the statement, particularly in relation to St Pat's College in Maghera, which is in my constituency of Mid Ulster. My party has met Mrs Mussen and the team there on several occasions, and I can attest to the urgent need for that capital investment. On her behalf, I ask the Minister if he could provide an indication of the timescale for the project and when work is likely to begin.

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

On that project, first of all, I seem to remember that, in my previous post, I had the opportunity to visit St Pat's, although there are that many schools that I have either visited or not visited — I am sure that former Ministers can also refer to this — that I am trying to work out whether there is a slight false memory about that.

Across the board, I cannot give specific commitments on individual timescales, but the intention is that the work will begin in 2022-23. The general rule of thumb for the school enhancement programme is that it would be about an 18-month project, so the idea is that they could be completed within that period. Whereas, with major capital builds, even when they are announced, it is sometimes five or even close to 10 years before there is completion, with these there can be much greater turnaround. We aim to have these completed in 2024-25, so we are still talking about a few years away. The timescale will be on a moving scale, but we hope to get them progressed as quickly as possible.

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

I join others in congratulating Minister Weir on his appointment as Education Minister. I welcome the inclusion of Carrick Primary School, which is in my constituency. The Minister may know that, whilst it is not a fully formally integrated school, it has a school population that broadly reflects the wider community in which it is geographically placed, and that is very welcome.

Minister, in your statement, you refer to investment in maintenance works, both capital and minor: have you, even at this early stage, any sense of how much that might be? Would you give any thought to looking at the process by which school principals can requisition some minor works, which does seem to be unduly cumbersome, bureaucratic and costly?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

Broadly speaking, the overall capital investment will be, as I said, a mix of new build, maintenance and SEP. There is still some thought and decisions to be taken about the precise nature of that mix.

The Member makes a good point about issues around autonomy, particularly in procurement. That is one of the areas that we will want to look at, to ensure that there is always a balance between trying to get the maximum value for public money and, by the same token, ensuring that we do not micromanage. I think that there is a strong case. It is also the case, looking ahead on that issue, that it is about giving people opportunities for levels of autonomy. Previously, when I was Minister, we put out a fairly open questionnaire to schools on the issue of autonomy. Even from schools in very similar positions, there is sometimes a very mixed opinion. Some schools take the view that they do not want any additional burden, and they effectively want somebody else to sort it out for them, whereas other schools are much keener to embrace it. It is about trying to work out a system whereby we can give, within the context of, as I said, value for money, that level of opportunity for autonomy in a sensible way. That clearly involves levels of procurement and maintenance.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I, too, congratulate the Minister on his appointment and wish him well.

There are huge pressures on school budgets. That is particularly the case where there have been school amalgamations and schools continue to operate on multiple sites. In the Minister's statement, he indicated that some 59 schools, over a three-year period, had benefited from £145 million. Will the Minister advise how that, along with the new build programme, prioritises and encourages school amalgamations, which can bring about improvements to educational outcomes for our children and young people as well as savings for the Department? At the same time, Minister, can you give an update on the progress in the redevelopment of Islandmagee Primary School, which has already taken over a decade?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

First, on the last point, obviously, I do not have direct details here in connection with Islandmagee, but I will be happy to write to the Member on that. I do not know whether he was briefly excited when he saw the announcement because there is reference to "Carrick Primary School"; of course, that is the one in Lurgan, not in the Member's constituency.

The Member makes a good point about the broader rationalisation of the school estate and, indeed, where we have, for instance, mergers, and we will look at that in connection with the transformation side of it. Often, a merger can lead to a better longer-term solution, but Members will also be aware that, often, particularly where there is a split site, mergers can create a lot of upfront costs, so we need to look from a transformation point of view, particularly, in connection with that.

With regard to it playing a role within the decision-making process, mention was made of the fact that these were decided on the existing protocol. A range of priorities are built into that protocol. Amongst those will be the enhancement works that are essential to effect rationalisation projects, so it is, if you like, part of a wider area plan. Where there are, for instance, split sites, ensuring that things can actually be brought together can also be part of that. We are looking at where there are unmet needs and significant substandard accommodation.

What we need to ensure — I think that this has been happening in the Department — is that, as we move ahead in area planning, for instance, particularly on major capital works, we have an alignment and that it is, if you like, in step with the wider position of trying to ensure that we get the best overall layout of schools as part of the overall position.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

Like others, I welcome the Minister to his appointment and welcome his statement. He mentioned the additional 18 schools under the school enhancement programme. Obviously, I welcome the investment in Riverside, which I had the opportunity to visit in June last year. Much investment is required there. I appreciate, Minister, that your statement today was relatively short and that you, possibly, will not have the detail with you, but will you write to me with further detail on what Riverside is to receive? Given that it is a special school, it is in a difficult and cramped location. Will the Minister get us more detail on that?

When I am on my feet, I take the opportunity, as others have done, to be parochial and discuss Crumlin Integrated. I extend an invitation to the Minister to Crumlin. It has come under difficulty from the Education Authority. Currently, over a thousand pupils leave Crumlin daily to go to other schools, but we would like to see the long-term viability of Crumlin sustained.

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

First, I am happy to correspond with the Member about Riverside. I am happy to try to accommodate other invitations, but I fear that we may have to speak to the people who have the technology to clone Dolly the sheep, because I may need to be in several places at the same time for school visits. However, we will certainly take every offer and try to accommodate as many school visits as possible. I appreciate that a range of schools put in for the school enhancement programme and others did not. There will be opportunities for other schools as part of that.

Sinéad Ennis (Sinn Féin, South Down)

I too welcome the announcement today of funding for the schools that have been listed, but it would be remiss of me and it would be conspicuous by its absence, if I failed to mention one school in particular in my South Down constituency: St Louis Grammar School in Kilkeel. It is in dire need of major capital investment. I extend an invitation to the Minister to pay a visit to St Louis to see the situation at the campus.

In his statement, the Minister alludes to the fact that he intends to continue the advancement of major capital builds. When will he announce the next tranche of funding for capital projects so that schools such s St Louis' in Kilkeel, in lower Mourne, can get their business case in order and avail themselves of the next tranche of funding?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

From that point of view, there are a couple of issues there. As I mentioned, I think, possibly 165 schools initially put in, so we have seen tranches happening. First, I think, the current prioritised list is due to expire in May, but I will consider whether there should be a further tranche of SEPs announced by then or whether we should look to a new call as part of that. Mention was also made of major capital works. I hope to make an announcement on the potential prioritisation of projects for major capital works in the coming months.

It is also the case that, because we have these categories — and the way they are subcategorised — there is a ceiling of £4 million on an SEP. Clearly, if there is a major new build that would be above that, it may be that a school may feel that it is not appropriate to put in a bid for that particular bit; they may look simply towards capital. So it is a certain amount of horses for courses on that basis, although there is also the case that the school could put in for a school enhancement programme and apply for major capital works.

All those projects will be assessed, and we hope that, within the coming months, we can actually move on major capital projects. It will be a completely open process where people can apply on that basis.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Before I call the next Member to speak, can I just remind Members that there are quite a number of Members due to speak and requesting to speak, and we will not get through them at this rate. I am just letting Members know that they should try to keep their remarks as brief as they possibly can.

Kellie Armstrong (Alliance, Strangford)

I will try to be brief. I thank the Minister very much for telling the public that we actually have money that can be spent on our schools that are in crisis. I welcome him, of course, back into his ministry. I am delighted that a number of schools in our constituency, such as Killinchy and Glastry, are included. Much-needed work needs to be done there.

The Minister talks about the immediate impact, and I know it could take a bit of time for this to happen, but we need to think also towards the long-term delivery of investment. All this needs to be fed into the root-and-branch review of education that we have agreed on in the new deal document. How will the Minister ensure that that is fed through? How many schools that have already applied and have been awarded money — probably under the permanent secretary — are yet to receive funding? Will he, at some stage, publish the funding that each school receives?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

Taking each of those in turn: in the wider picture, any examination of reform will have to be of a holistic nature. There is no point in different aspects of that going down a silo route. Consequently, while a lot of this will probably focus on educational structures and resource finances, the capital has got to marry in with that.

On the state of play of the existing schools, it referred to the earlier provision, and I am sure that an update can be provided on each of the individual schools in the earlier tranches. If we can produce that, we will lay it in the Assembly Library.

For the individual amounts, we are still at the stage where, in the detail of that, a certain amount of work will go on, because, again, part of that will be ongoing discussion about the projects with the schools. I am conscious of the fact that, if we said, "Here is a very definitive amount for each school", that may end up giving a false impression. It may underestimate, sometimes, what money there would be. The only thing I will say for absolute certainty is that all school enhancement projects will be between half a million and £4 million. As Members can suggest, the fact that we were talking about a tranche of money of £45 million across 18 schools means it will tend to be on the higher side of that in general. Obviously, as individual details become available and agreed, that will then become transparent between the Department and the schools.

Caoimhe Archibald (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Like others, I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. I also welcome today's announcement. In relation to an answer to a previous question about new tranches of funding for capital programmes: schools in need of major capital investment might be inclined, and understandably so, to apply under the schools enhancement programme. Would that have any impact on an application for major capital works?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

In that situation, no school is barred from applying for both. Indeed, even if there is a school enhancement programme, it does not automatically rule them out. Obviously, in broader capital works, there are a range of factors that are built in to any protocol, one of which is the physical state of the buildings and the facilities that are there. So, I suppose, to some extent, there is always some impact because it may mean that a scoring mechanism, for instance, on the physical state of any —. I am just checking that that is correct. Maybe not. Just give me a moment here. There will be a —. Sorry.

There is, ultimately, a situation that, if a school has been approved for an SEP, it is likely to lead to a period of time in which it would not be eligible. The normal rule of thumb is that there is a seven-year period for that, and, again, in the wider context, people will look at it. As I said, that is not to say that schools cannot apply for both, but clearly, if they are successful, there will be a certain times when schools have to take a little bit of a strategic decision themselves about what they feel to be best. Sometimes that will be obvious, because a school may not be necessarily looking for a complete new build. It may say, "Well, actually, we need additional classrooms", because one of the other drawbacks for a school — sometimes this can be an advantage — if it is looking for a complete capital build is that there will be a site search, so it may not necessarily end up where it is at present. The SEPs give an assurance that the work can carry on and, indeed, that the school will remain at its current location, which also gives some certainty for the way ahead.

Pat Catney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Lagan Valley)

Minister, like everyone else here, I wish you the best of luck in your portfolio as the Education Minister and every success in that going forward.

I thank the officials that have met with me over the one school that was here today, St John the Baptist. It borders on my constituency, but I was asked by parents to meet the board of governors and the school. I am delighted that this is now being put forward as a school enhancement project. Little St John the Baptist has had half its school closed. Minister, I do not want to infringe on your time, but, if at all possible, you will see what that will do and how it will transform that whole area. With that school being closed down, the vandalism and the children trying to go there, in the enveloping of that school, can you and your officials try to keep to a minimum the length of time and the disruption?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

First of all, I pay tribute to the Member. I know he has been particularly assiduous in raising the case of St John the Baptist, and I credit him with doing a lot of work with the school. I also highlight, given the appointment of the new principal of St John the Baptist, that we have not given this just to get a favourable response from a social media commentator. I hope, like the original St John the Baptist, this is a forerunner of better things.

I am sure the Member will be assiduous in ensuring that the envelope is pushed out as much as possible in connection with this. Again, the aim is to try to deliver these as quickly as we possibly can. On that basis, there will be no undue delay, but, obviously, we want to have, from the Department's point of view, a clear discussion with the school on the exact details of what will be provided.

Órlaithí Flynn (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, and I also send my congratulations to Mr Weir on his appointment as Minister of Education. I welcome the statement from the Minister today, particularly in relation to the investment that is coming into St Kieran's and St John the Baptist schools in West Belfast. I also thank the Speaker, as I know he was involved in some of that work with St John the Baptist School locally. Can the Minister please outline when the work on these two schools will commence?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

As indicated, we have an overall timescale. We do not have the detail, because some of that will involve the wider discussions. We are hoping that, with the school enhancement programme, people will be on-site in '22-'23 and that, indeed, there will be the normal timescale, which is roughly about 18 months. There can be a fairly quick turnaround with SEP construction. One of the advantages is that — this again depends on the exact nature of the work that is being done — in the vast majority of cases, it should mean that there will not be any particular levels of dislocation. I cannot give a guarantee of that for every school. There may need to be some temporary relocation, but the fact that it is on-site and will be part of the school should mean that we can minimise the level of disruption for any of the schools. Again, I look forward to new facilities both at St John's and St Kieran's.

I look forward to the refreshing sound of Members welcoming the inclusion of a school that is outside their constituency. Pat Catney, to be fair to him, a Member for Lagan Valley, did break the taboo and welcomed the inclusion of a school in West Belfast, so he should perhaps get a special Speaker's prize.

[Laughter.]

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I will consider that in due course.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I join the chorus of congratulations to Mr Weir on his reappointment as Minister. He has given some detail of the plan for Glastry College, the likely timescales, and the correlation between receiving school enhancement programme money and being granted money for a new build. On that basis, is Glastry College still in line for a new build? I declare an interest as chair of the board of Movilla High School. Does the announcement have any implications for area planning in Ards and North Down?

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

First, I have highlighted the timescale. I am not making any particular assumptions about the two schools that have been mentioned. What I have highlighted about the details of the project is based on what the school put in its application and what the asks were. In most cases, that will then be reflected precisely in the school enhancement programme, based as it is on the school's needs. As has been mentioned, in the normal process of the school enhancement programme, there may be a bar on a successful application for a new build, but we will want to look at everything in the wider context of area planning.

Similarly, the wider context of area planning will need to be looked at for Movilla High School. We will come back to that at a later stage. If a development proposal comes forward, there will need to be reassessment to ensure that it is fit for purpose. Sometimes, as I said, what a school says it wants may not necessarily be the absolute priority when it comes to what it needs. Sometimes, when a project is under way, it can even be found that priorities change a little bit.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I, too, congratulate the Minister of Education. I congratulate him on the investment in Cliftonville Integrated Primary School in North Belfast. It is very much welcomed.

The Minister mentioned procurement earlier in his answer to, I think, Dolores Kelly. I would like procurement procedures to be strengthened so that it is not the case that, if schools go down the CPD route, more money is spent doing minor works and replacing fixtures than would be if that work had been done independently. Significant money is being invested, so I ask the Minister, along with CPD, SIB and others, to bring forward enhanced procedures. That money is welcome. However, procurement certainly needs to be tightened up and to be more cost-effective and inclusive of social clauses and social benefits.

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

I take the point that the Member makes. The wider issue of procurement lies largely outside my Department's remit. CPD largely sits in the Department of Finance. We have to be careful that we do not talk at cross purposes. For any major procurement, there have to be clear-cut regulations and procedures. Where there can be a level of annoyance and where we need to look at this from the schools' point of view is where something they see as being a very minor issue has, at times, a long lead-in time, potentially creating a situation in which relatively minor work seems to cost a large amount of money. It is about getting that balance at the lower level. If we are looking at major areas of procurement, it should be universal throughout government to try to ensure a level playing field.

Paula Bradshaw (Alliance, Belfast South)

I echo the congratulations to Mr Weir on his appointment. I also congratulate my colleague Chris Lyttle, who has taken over as Chair of the Committee for Education.

I was delighted to see Botanic Primary School and Victoria College included on the list. I am very conscious that Victoria College is one of a large number of post-primary schools in my constituency that has the capacity, if given additional funding for such works, to take on more pupils.

In the last academic year, 200 pupils were not allocated their first choice, and, at the end of the day, seven were not allocated a place at all.

You mentioned the protocol and its principal criteria for amalgamation and split sites: I just wonder whether you are minded to change the protocol to reflect where there are pressures, such as I have outlined, to allow for more pupils to be taken on.

Peter Weir (DUP, Strangford)

As regards the protocol mentioned, in terms of split sites, the fact that Victoria College operates on a split site was one of the factors that was a determinant in reaching that decision. If it helps to create, if you like, a more sustainable school estate, that is preferable.

As we look at the broader area of school numbers, we need to ensure that we get the right processes there, particularly for development proposals. The Member may appreciate that I cannot comment on an individual case, but, more generally, we have to ensure that the development proposals are fit for purpose, and, sometimes, that means that we look at things to see where there can be some easier wins. In some cases, there has been a converse situation — I know that the Department has been proactive on this — where schools have an artificial enrolment number that does not reflect the real situation. It was maybe a decision taken in the 70s or 80s. So, there has been an accommodation through downsizing. Clearly, with any individual proposal, we will look at the overall system. That has to feed in, and it will also be part of the wider review. How we manage that and the processes will play into area planning.

Obviously, I am under a legal duty to determine each individual application on its merits, so I will not comment on the individual case, and I assume that the Member will not expect me to anyway.

Daniel McCrossan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome you to your new role, and I welcome the Minister back into his role. First, Minister, may I thank you for a job that you did three years ago, just prior to the collapse of the institutions, at Cloughcor school? You kindly accepted my request to visit. Those works have taken place, so I would like to put on record my thanks to you. I also put on record my appreciation to Derek Baker, who has done a tremendous job in a very challenging situation over the last few years in the Department of Education.

Many points have been made about moneys awarded to schools. Mine is focused on a former school of mine: Strabane Primary School. I attended it 20 short years ago, and, since then, it has not changed very much. It was in line for a new school, and I know that there was hope that that would be the case. Will that still be the case, dependent on the level of funding given to the school, or will this simply replace that original proposal?

Also, just before I finish, a former principal of Strabane Primary School retired this year. Mr David Canning gave 38 years of his life to the children in Strabane, and he was principal of that school for 26 years, so I put on record my appreciation to him as well.