| Ref No | Member | Question | Tabled | Status |
|
AQW 53128/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail whether his Department has conducted any workforce planning exercise to determine the number of teaching assistants required over the next five years, including any associated findings.
| 25/09/2026 |
To be answered by 12/10/2026
|
|
AQW 53127/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any measures his Department is taking to improve recruitment and retention of teaching assistants across Northern Ireland.
| 25/09/2026 |
To be answered by 12/10/2026
|
|
AQW 53126/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the number of temporary teaching assistant posts that are currently being used in special schools and special educational needs units, broken down by Education Authority area.
| 25/09/2026 |
To be answered by 12/10/2026
|
|
AQW 53125/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the average length of time taken to fill teaching assistant vacancies in special schools in each of the last five years.
| 25/09/2026 |
To be answered by 12/10/2026
|
|
AQW 53124/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessment made of the impact that turnover amongst teaching assistants has on the continuity of support provided to pupils with special educational needs.
| 25/09/2026 |
To be answered by 12/10/2026
|
|
AQW 52995/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education whether his Department has undertaken any analysis of the potential costs and benefits of introducing a summer retainer scheme for teaching assistants; and whether he will place any associated assessments in the Assembly library.
| 24/09/2026 |
To be answered by 09/10/2026
|
|
AQW 52994/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education whether his Department has considered the introduction of a retainer payment for teaching assistants employed on term-time-only contracts, including detail any such considerations.
| 24/09/2026 |
To be answered by 09/10/2026
|
|
AQW 52993/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any assessment his Department has made of the impact of staff retention challenges amongst teaching assistants on educational outcomes for pupils.
| 24/09/2026 |
To be answered by 09/10/2026
|
|
AQW 52992/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the teaching assistant posts that are currently vacant, broken down by (i) school sector; and (ii) Education Authority area.
| 24/09/2026 |
To be answered by 09/10/2026
|
|
AQW 52991/22-27
|
Mr Timothy Gaston
(TUV - North Antrim)
|
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any discussions his Department has had with the Education Authority, trade unions and school leaders in relation to providing greater year-round financial security for teaching assistants.
| 24/09/2026 |
To be answered by 09/10/2026
|
|