AQW 9339/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/03/2024
Answered On Date: 28/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the consultation undertaken by his Department with each of the groups listed in Section 9 (2) (e) (i) of the Integrated Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 with regards to the development of the Action Plan for implementing the Act.

Answer:

The Department was required to publish a Strategy and associated Action Plan within six months of the Act coming into force. The primary means of consultation was through Integrated Education Act governance structures: the Integrated Education Act Steering and Working groups. These groups included representatives from Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, Integrated Education Fund, Controlled Schools Support Council, Association of Principal Teachers in Integrated Schools and Integrated AlumNI and other educational stakeholders.

A public consultation on the Action Plan ran between 31 August 2023 and 30 November 2023. This period was chosen rather than immediately after publication during the Assembly election period or over the summer period to allow interested stakeholders to participate.

The consultation process was publicised across social media and included two open online engagement sessions. All educational partners were asked to share the consultation survey widely and encourage active participation. This provided an opportunity for stakeholders within all the groups listed in the Act to have their say.