Committee for Education
Minutes of proceedings 01 October 2025
Committee for Education minutes of proceedings 01 October 2025.pdf (195.8 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
Mr Jon Burrows MLA
Mrs Michelle Guy MLA
Mrs Cathy Mason MLA
Mr Gary Middleton 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: Ms Cara Hunter MLA
Apologies: None
The meeting commenced at 2:01pm in public session.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Chairperson’s Business
The Chairperson welcomed Gary Middletown to the Committee.
The Chairperson referred members to slides from the Committee training on effective questioning for information.
The Chairperson indicated that amended Terms of Reference for its SEN review would be distributed to members for agreement.
3. Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
4. Matters arising
The Committee discussed the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Bursary Scheme, aimed at tackling teacher shortages in critical post-primary subjects across Northern Ireland.
Agreed: It was agreed to write to the Department of Education to reflect correspondence received and seek the rationale for the timing of the announcement and subjects covered.
5. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of its meetings held on 23 September 2025 and 24 September 2025.
6. SEN Placements – Oral briefing by SHINE Autism Support Group
The Committee noted a briefing paper from the SHINE Autism Support Group.
The following witnesses joined the meeting at 2:08pm.
Ms Linda Harvey, Chairperson, SHINE Autism Support Group
Ms Suzanne O'Hara, Treasurer, SHINE Autism Support Group
Ms Annette Park, Secretary, SHINE Autism Support Group
The witness provided the Committee with a briefing SEN placements.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking:
- An update on work of the Lived Experience Forum and the development of the Parental Advocacy Service;
- An update on Summer schemes for SEN pupils and cross departmental engagement to secure funding for these;
- Information on access to youth services for children with additional needs; and
- An update on its review of the Belfast Early Years Model.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Education Authority seeking information on the geographical availability of community and statutory support for children with SEN.
7. Update on recommendations of PAC Report on Special Educational Needs - Oral Briefing by Education Authority officials
The Committee noted a briefing paper from the Education Authority.
The following witnesses joined the meeting at 3:12pm.
Mr Richard Pengelly, Chief Executive, Education Authority
Dr Tomas Adell, Chief Transformation Officer, Education Authority
Mr Dale Hanna, Chief Operations Officer, Education Authority
The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on progress that has been achieved in response to the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee.
Mr Burrows left the meeting at 4:30pm.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Education Authority seeking some follow-up answers including information on Appeal tribunal results.
8. Correspondence
8.1 The Committee noted an index of correspondence.
8.2 The Committee noted a response from the Education to the Committee for the Executive Office regarding the ending violence against women and girls strategy.
8.3 The Committee noted an invitation from the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People to its International Children's Day Event.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would attend the event.
8.4 The Committee noted an invitation from the Primary Science Teaching Trust to the launch of the ‘State of Primary Science in the UK (2025)’ report.
8.5 The Committee noted an invitation from Queens University Belfast to an AI and the Future of Work, Lord David Willetts & Panel.
8.6 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Outturn and Forecast Outturn.
8.7 The Committee noted correspondence from the Consumer Council on its recent research report “Enough on their plates? The food concerns and lived experiences of young adults in Northern Ireland.”
Agreed: The Committee agreed to share the report with the Committee for Communities and the Committee for the Economy.
8.8 The Committee noted a report from the Secondary Students Union of Northern Ireland on the teaching of modern languages.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to share the report with the Minister of Education and Curriculum taskforce.
8.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Economy on evidence taken from the Department for the Economy and Department of Education on the Careers Action Plan.
8.10 The Committee noted a response from Department of Education on Irish-Medium Education.
8.11 The Committee noted correspondence from the Independent Autism Reviewer regarding the definitions of ‘special educational needs’ and ‘special educational provision’.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to arrange an informal oral briefing with the Independent Autism Reviewer.
9. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered its forward work programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the forward work programme as amended.
10. Any Other Business
The Committee noted correspondence from the Audit Office regarding school governance.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Audit Office seeking information on the scope of its investigation.
12. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting
The next Committee for Education meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 October 2025 at 2:00pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:52pm.
Nick Mathison MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Education
8 October 2025
