To ask the Minister of Education to detail the steps she is taking to encourage and facilitate integrated education.

I, and my officials, take very seriously the statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of integrated education and this manifests in a range of actions, funding support and policy adaptations for the integrated sector.

My Department’s aim is to respond positively to parental demand for integrated provision, for example in home to school transport policy, and in considering temporary variations and Development Proposals for the integrated sector.

My Department supports schools seeking to transform to integrated status and has provided guidance to assist schools considering this process.

A range of bespoke, sector specific investment continues to be provided. This includes annual funding support and ongoing business planning support to the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) to encourage and promote integrated education; support to transforming schools; and, significant capital investment via the Fresh Start Agreement.

My Department also requires its Arm’s Length Bodies to support the delivery of this statutory duty, and to report back on actions taken during the business year. The Shared Education and Sectoral Support Team in the Education Authority works with NICIE to support schools, including those who are in the process of transforming.

Any recommendations from the Independent Review of Integrated Education that relate to legislative or significant policy change form part of the Terms of Reference to the Independent Review of Education which is the appropriate means to consider any such educational changes. My officials have met the panel to discuss this.