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Ruane tries to block schools bill
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Caitriona Ruane has written to all of her ministerial colleagues calling on them to vote against a bill which will open up all school premises in Northern Ireland to community use, it can be revealed today.
In a highly unusual move, the Education Minister has penned a letter to all Executive members outlining her objections to the private member’s bill introduced by Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry.
Since the Executive has not met for 146 days, Mr McNarry’s bill cannot be discussed formally at the highest level.
The Ulster Unionist today accused the minister of “aggressive action” and of attempting to form “a ministerial cabal” to stop his bill from any further progress.
The Belfast Telegraph has obtained a copy of the confidential six-page document written by Ms Ruane, which is dated October 30.
The bill is due to have its second stage reading in the Assembly next week and was being discussed by the Assembly’s education committee today — which will be held partly in closed session. It seeks to increase community access to, for example, school playing fields, gym halls and computer suites.
In her letter, the Education Minister said that “most schools” already make their premises available for wider community use outside of normal school hours. Under the proposed bill, she says that schools would have to prepare a mandatory scheme for community use of their premises in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Education.
The Education Minister raises concerns about “significant cost implications” (including insurance requirements, extra fuel costs and possible extra staffing costs), “an added bureaucratic burden for schools” and, while she concedes that schools could determine their own charging policy, she says that this is likely to recoup only some of the costs.
“Any decision by the Assembly to pass this bill, therefore, would create immediate cost pressures that could not be met from within my existing allocations and would therefore become pressures for all of us to cover,” she warns.
In response, Mr McNarry said: “Caitriona Ruane has attempted, to what degree of success I cannot say, to form a ministerial cabal to gang up and stop my bill from any further progress.
“The Minister’s aggressive action is a shocking piece of confrontation and an alarming display of disdain against the integrity of all MLAs, let alone myself as the promoter of a private bill which she obviously wants to have ditched.
“Imagine the temerity of a Minister in issuing an Executive Paper calling on all Ministers to reject my bill — yet she refuses to go to any Executive meeting to state her case.
“My bill will benefit the communities, give access to facilities for communities and help address issues such as anti-social behaviour and local deprivation.
“It will also create space for innovative thinking for uses of the school estates in local areas and, if managed properly, be income providers for schools.”
A department spokesman said: “This issue relates to Executive business and as such the Education Minister has quite properly circulated a paper to Executive colleagues highlighting her opposition to this draft bill and urging them not to support a flawed proposal.
“The Minister has pointed out that the bill, if passed, could result in significant cost implications for schools.
“In addition to vague terminology used in the draft bill, it does not take into account proposals for the reform of education and therefore would need significant amendment following establishment of the Education and Skills Authority.”
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I reckon you got a bit too wordy there Terry. *Ruane should resign, she is incapable.* That covers it I think.
Posted by Kathleen | 12.11.08, 22:55 GMT
Ruane should resign she is incapable of carrying any decision with the education committee or department
Posted by Terry - Antrim | 12.11.08, 21:37 GMT
Schools belong to the people,not to a minister who seems to not care what anybody thinks.And I consider my self a nationalist.
Anyway how can she pass this leglislation without a full debate in the assembly.Oh,I forgot,you don't have one!
Posted by PD Whistle | 12.11.08, 20:56 GMT
The school premises are paid for by the community,and as long as the school buildings are not abused by those using them it only seems to make sense to utilize the same for the benefit of the community.
Posted by RMS | 12.11.08, 17:39 GMT
To jock - If you dont want to read about this kind of story, go and have a look at your local Scottish community paper where I am sure you can enjoy a good read about the gang culture inflicting your major cities and towns. Or about having the shortest life expectancy in the UK, or the major health time bomb that will in the future effect your country becuase you tend to enjoy a battered mars bar
Posted by darren | 12.11.08, 17:20 GMT
To Thos, u lot need to get over it!!!! The world has moved on!!! I dont care about ur family history!!!
Posted by Jock | 12.11.08, 16:07 GMT
And people wonder why I say I never want to move back to Northern Ireland..
Another example of petty politicking by "patched up ministers".
Posted by Richard F | 12.11.08, 16:01 GMT
Schools should be used as a wider community resource. Heaven knows they sit idle most of the time and it is a crying shame and waste of land that they be a single purpose environment. Schools should be multi-purpose. This is the role they commonly play in in the US and most northern european countries. There's a bigger aim than just breaking even. Schools provide one of the few places that the community can use for sports and informal adult education purposes. There's more to gain through community cohesion and the tackling of obesity in Northern Ireland than there is to be lost. I can't understand some of short-sighted opinions here. I can't understand Ruane being so ridiculous about it either.
Posted by Conal Stewart | 12.11.08, 15:55 GMT
Well none of them in Stormount have done anything to curb over inflated energy prices we have here. And they cannot say its the same on the main mudland as the rate of pay here is lower. Get them out!!!! All of them!!!
Posted by Zachary Allbutt | 12.11.08, 15:28 GMT
To Jock - When you have been through over 30 years of IRA murder and mayhem during which you were constantly told by government that the terrorist would never win and then let them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and facilitate those terrorists and their mouthpieces into government then you can speak on issues what we in NI consider anything but petty and tedious.
I would never comment on Scottish issues even though my family came from Port Glasgow and Greenock in the 1880s.
Posted by Thos | 12.11.08, 14:58 GMT
My own school tried this as an experiment for a period of 3 years. Over the 3 years we broke even, just. By the time a booking system, janitors, security, cleaning, electricity, heating etc were all factored in the cost of renting the gym or even a couple of rooms was essentially prohibitive. We got very few takers because of the cost and we were trying to make money. People wanted to use the facilities but were put off by costs. We had to give up eventually. I believe the profit over 3 years was about £600. It was not worth the effort and inconvienience.
I am not sure the scheme is paricularly viable, never mind the politics
Posted by Teacher | 12.11.08, 14:56 GMT
Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarrys' bill seems to be proposing a very sensible use of school facilities that are largely unused during the evening and at weekends. Such schools could become the hub of community life, particularly in isolated areas. Good examples are Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn that even has a public library on its' site! (Pupils can do work experience here), and St Patricks' High School Keady where local gaelic teams are welcome to use the excellent sports facilities. Mr McNarrys' initiative would also see schools being able to charge for use and so make some money to add to their limited budgets. A good idea, with a bit of thought and planning it could be very beneficial to many communities. Why is Mrs Ruane against this? What is her problem?
Posted by T J McClean | 12.11.08, 14:50 GMT
As a Civil Servant I have been told that according to the Chief Exec of at least one Board, ESA isn't happening for 3 years. In the interim, there is nothing to stop David McNarry's bill as so many of our schools already cater for community groups.
What this is really about is simply a Minister who wants her way and no other way. To this end she will stand in the way of other's proposals, ignore the democratic mandate and talk down anyone who opposes her.
Posted by Veritatem quaere et insaniam inveni | 12.11.08, 13:44 GMT
I have relatives in Canada and the USA and their schools are used as community centres for sporting teams and community clubs. Ms. Ruane is being rather silly in blocking this. I know one relative has access to a school gymnasium during the snowy season to train his U10 footie team. The schools generate income from this and, unless its on a weekend, its done during the hours when the night custodial staff is in the building.
Posted by Colin | 12.11.08, 13:18 GMT
Im from Scotland and i gotta say, u lot over there do nothing but fight and argue over every little thing!!!! Its all so petty and tedious!!!
Posted by Jock | 12.11.08, 12:45 GMT
Ruane seems to be more akin to a dictator rather than to any type of democrat I know of. She always seems to be anti-democracy.
Posted by windy | 12.11.08, 12:12 GMT
The Departmental spokesman has got it entirely wrong when suggesting that the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority is a certainty or foregone conclusion.
To assert so conveys the same attitude displayed by Minister Ruane.
Are there any education reform proposals more flawed than Caitriona Ruane's?
Her doomsday book has included extensive input from the ESA. Need more be said?
Posted by Pro Tanto Quid | 12.11.08, 11:54 GMT