Committee for Education

Minutes of Proceedings - 7 May 2025 2025

Committee for Education - Minutes of Proceedings - 7 May 2025.pdf (140.44 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

 

Present:

Mr Nick Mathison MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Pat Sheehan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr Danny Baker MLA

Mr David Brooks MLA

Ms Cara Hunter MLA

Mrs Cathy Mason MLA

Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)

Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Thomas McConville (Clerical Officer)

 

Present via teleconference facilities:

Mrs Michelle Guy MLA

 

Apologies:

Mr Colin Crawford MLA

Mr Peter Martin MLA

 

The meeting commenced at 2:00pm in public session.

 

1. Apologies

Apologies have been received from Colin Crawford MLA and Peter Martin MLA.

 

2. Chairperson's Business

The Committee discussed oral briefings on Irish Medium Education scheduled for its meeting on 14 May 2025.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to share a Department of Education briefing paper on Irish Medium Education with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta.

 

3. Declaration of Interests

Mr Mathison made a declaration of interest that he is a member of the Board of Governors for Killinchy Primary School.

Mrs Mason made a declaration of interest that she is a member of the Board of Governors for St. Macartan's Primary School, Loughinisland.

Mr Brooks made a declaration of interest that his wife is a member of the Board of Governors for Grosvenor Grammar School and Mitchell House School.

 

4. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

 

5. Minutes of Proceedings

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of its meeting held on 30 April 2025.

The Committee moved to closed session at 2:03pm.

 

6. School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill - Oral Briefing by the Examiner of Statutory Rules

The following witness joined the meeting at 2:03pm.

Miss Angela Kelly, Examiner of Statutory Rules, Northern Ireland Assembly

The Examiner of Statutory Rules provided the Committee with a briefing on the delegated powers in relation to the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Mrs Guy joined the meeting at 2:10pm

This was followed by a question and answer session.

The Committee returned to public session at 2:41pm

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking clarification about timescales for review of guidance.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to seek advice on possible amendments to the Bill.

 

7. School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill - Oral Briefing by Retail NI

The Committee noted a briefing paper from Retail NI.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 2:42pm.

Mr Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive, Retail NI

Ms Jan Buchanan, Representative, Warnocks

Ms Francesca Cahillin, Representative, Truly Fare

Mr Alastair McCall, Representative, McCalls of Lisburn

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking:

  • Information about its engagement with retailers on the Bill;
  • Information on the timelines for the rollout of uniform guidance;
  • Information on how the Bill addresses PE kit; and
  • A definition of what constitutes branded items.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00pm.

Mrs Guy left the meeting at 4:00pm.

The meeting resumed at 2:06pm.

 

8. Budget Update - Oral Briefing by Department of Education Officials

The Committee noted a briefing paper from the Department of Education.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 4:06pm.

Mr Neil Palmer, Acting Director of Finance, Department of Education

Mr Stephen Van Houten, Acting Deputy Director of Finance, Department of

Education

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing budget.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Department of Education to ensure that for future briefings on budget, officials covering both capital and resource budgets should attend.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking written updates:

  • on the capital budget in time for relevant plenary debates;
  • on the budget for the Pathway Fund;
  • on the pilot scheme using mobile phone pouches; and
  • on the Curriculum-led Capital Programme.

Agreed: the Committee agreed to return to the issue of funding made available for outdoor equipment as part of the Curriculum-led Capital Programme at its next meeting.

 

9. Correspondence

9.1 The Committee noted a correspondence Index.

9.2 The Committee noted a newsletter from Cubbie.

9.3 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Education on a consultation on a proposal that will allow it greater flexibility in changing the approved admissions and/or enrolment numbers at primary and post-primary schools.

9.4 The Committee noted an Ofcom Statement on Protecting Children Online.

9.5 The Committee noted an invitation from the Chief Nursing Officer Group to the launch of a Healthy Child, Healthy Future refreshed framework.

Agreed: the Committee agreed to seek a written briefing from the Department of Health on the refreshed framework.

9.6 The Committee noted a response from the Education Authority on Access NI checks.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Education Authority seeking:

  • More context
  • Clarity on barriers to getting the checks completed and staff support to complete the checks; and
  • Further information as to whether those staff whose employment was terminated due to noncompliance with the Access NI were working with children.

9.7 The Committee noted correspondence providing information on a rescheduled University Ulster LCJ Lecture on Sentencing Practice in Northern Ireland.

9.8 & 9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from Anaka proposing an initiative to improve access to education for young asylum seekers and refugees; and inviting members to the launch of its report and a draft response.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the draft response to Anaka.

9.10 The Committee noted a letter from concerned academics in relation to certain proposals within the TransformED NI document.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the academics requesting a written brief on their concerns.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to commission research on the TransformED NI document.

 

10. Forward Work Programme

The Committee discussed a draft forward work programme and Committee Stage approaches.

Agreed: The Committee agreed its Forward Work Programme.

 

11. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

 

12. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next Committee for Education meeting will be held on Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 2:00pm (after a concurrent meeting with the Economy Committee from 10.30-12).

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00pm.

 

 

Nick Mathison MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Education

7 May 2025