Monthly Archives: September 2014

Shared Education:  East Antrim Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education to advise what progress there has been in encouraging shared education facilities that might benefit the children in the East Antrim constituency, given that, in times of difficult financial budgets, shared education facilities can bring economic benefits and, equally as important, are beneficial to young people and communities. (AQT 1431/11-15) Mr O’Dowd: I outlined during the previous question session how we are contributing to the physical character of shared education in terms of the provision of campuses and facilities for schools, and I believe that, in the coming days, OFMDFM will be making a significant announcement in relation to how we can contribute towards the resources required for schools to carry out shared education as well. Mr Beggs: In the past, there was a significant opportunity to promote shared educational facilities when the then St Comgall’s College and Larne … Continue reading →

Educational Psychologists Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education for his assessment of the current number of educational psychologists available to produce statements of special educational needs. (AQO 6580/11-15) Mr O’Dowd: The most recent staffing survey across the education and library boards (ELBs) indicated that 166 educational psychologists are available across the five board areas.  All the ELBs have recently reported that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, they are meeting their legislative target to complete the statutory assessment and statementing process within 26 weeks, subject to valid exceptions. In addition, my Department continues to provide financial assistance each year for the doctorate in educational child and adolescent psychology (DECAP) course at Queen’s University, a course that provides an output of six graduates each academic year.  In October 2013, the DECAP steering group discussed the need for an increase in DECAP intake.  However, after further discussions with the chief executive … Continue reading →

Electricity Generating Capacity Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to advise what action is being taken to ensure that we have diversity in our electricity generating capacity and to ensure that we are not enabling excessive profits to be made by those generators, given the ongoing conflict between the Ukraine and Russia, which, although it may seem to be a little bit far away, given our reliance on gas, surely must be of concern to us all. (AQT 1453/11-15) Mr Hamilton: The Member may be right to characterise that situation as seemingly remote and distant to the activities of this House, but when civil unrest or crisis happens in eastern Ukraine, it has an impact further afield.  The Member is right to highlight the impact that it could potentially have on gas supplies, as so many natural gas supplies for Europe come from Russia and through … Continue reading →

University of Ulster: Course Moves   Mr Beggs asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for an update on the scheduled move of some courses from the University of Ulster Jordanstown campus to the Belfast campus. (AQO 6597/11-15) Dr Farry: The relocation from Jordanstown to Belfast will see the vast majority of activities transferred to Belfast by 2018.  The exceptions will be student residences, the high-performance sports centre and the fire safety engineering facility.  The development in Belfast will cost £250 million.  My Department is providing £16 million, while the university has secured a £150 million loan from the European Investment Bank as well as a financial transaction capital loan of £35 million.  The remaining funding is being raised by the university from a variety of sources. Good progress is being made with the development across many fronts, and the university remains confident that the project will be delivered on … Continue reading →