Committee for Education

Minutes of Proceedings - 27 May 2025

Committee for Education - 27 May 2025.pdf (144.69 kb)

Meeting Location: Senate Chamber Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mr Nick Mathison MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Pat Sheehan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr David Brooks MLA

Mrs Michelle Guy MLA

Mr Peter Martin MLA

Mrs Cathy Mason MLA

Mr Danny Baker 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:

Mr Colin Crawford MLA

Apologies:

Ms Cara Hunter MLA

The meeting commenced at 9:15am in public session.

1. Apologies

An apology was received from Ms Cara Hunter.

2. Chairperson's Business

There was no Chairperson's business.

3. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising.

4. School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill - Oral Briefing by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

The Committee noted a Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission submission on the Bill.

Correspondence on the Bill from the Department of Education was tabled.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 9:16am:

Ms Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Dr Colin Caughey, Director of Policy, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Ms Julia Buchanan, Senior Policy and Research Officer, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Ms Emily Mills, Policy and Research Officer, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Mrs Mason joined the meeting at 9:18am.

Mr Brooks joined the meeting at 9:19am.

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

Mr Baker joined the meeting at 9:24am.

Mr Martin joined the meeting at 9:26am.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission seeking a copy of its response to the Department of Education consultation on Uniform Policy.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to request and consider draft amendments to the Bill pursuant to the advice received.

The Committee noted a response from the Department of Education on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

5. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

6. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next Committee for Education meeting will be held on Wednesday 28 May 2025 at 2:00pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:03am.

Nick Mathison MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Education

4 June 2025