Summary

  • Education Minister Peter Weir briefs MLAs on review of pre-school special schools and post-primary transfer

  • Education Committee meeting briefed from department officials on special educational needs

  • Public Accounts Committee adjourns inquiry session into "flawed" Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme

Live Reporting

Robin Sheeran and Iain McDowell

  1. 'Growing number of children with SEN a huge challenge'

    Barry McElduff says that the cost of SEN provision "doesn't come cheap".

    He says the department has indicated that the annual coast of £250m has been rising "for the last few years by around £50m a year.

    Children with special needs in a classroomThinkstock

    Mr McElduff asks if the department is going to try to reduce the number of "statements" - the process by which pupils are granted SEN status.

    Mrs Gillan says "it is a huge challenge" and that the number of children with SEN is growing, but she adds that the department believes the new framework "is a step in the right direction".

  2. 'New special needs act saves valuable time for children'

    Education department officials Sharon Lawlor, Caroline Gillan and Jan Matthews arrive to brief members on special educational needs (SEN).

    Caroline Gillan

    Mrs Gillan explains that they are here to outline the department's new SEN framework.

    She says the new Special Educational Needs and Disability Act "saves some valuable time" at the beginning of the assessment process for children.

  3. In the chair

    Barry McElduff

    Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff is chairing today's meeting.

  4. Good morning

    Welcome to Wednesday's Stormont Live coverage of committee business from the Northern Ireland Assembly.

    Parliament Buildings at Stormont

    This morning, the focus is on Minister Peter Weir's appearance at the Education Committee, where he will be giving briefings on pre-school special schools and post-primary transfer.

    This afternoon, we pick up where we left off a couple of weeks ago, with the Public Accounts Committee's inquiry into the heavily criticised £1.18bn Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.