Results 1-20 of 1,350 for speaker:Reg Empey

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Further Education: Engineering (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: I agree with the Member’s comments on that issue. There are a number of initiatives in the sector. The Member will probably have heard of the Connected programme — a major open source software initiative — which includes the polymer technician programme. That allows a college to have access to a substantial reservoir of research and other information, which would...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Further Education: Engineering (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: The Member has devoted much time and energy to this subject, and he will be aware that we are moving into a time in which, because of European changes, grants for economic development will be unavailable to government. Northern Ireland’s main selling points, as was pointed out by the recently appointed economic envoy, Declan Kelly, are the skills of its workforce. That will be our major...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Further Education: Engineering (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: With respect to higher education, the STEM review concluded that the number of students participating in such courses has dropped over the years. However, the Department now believes that through a combination of different initiatives that trend is beginning to change. We now have the STEM review report, and we also have the recent MATRIX report. I believe that all the strategies are now in...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Universities (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: Perhaps we should have a Question Time specifically for the Strangford constituency in future. In June 2008, my Department published research led by Professor Bob Osborne, and it examined the factors associated with the decision-making processes of local school-leavers who were seeking entry into higher education. The most important reason cited in determining pupil’s preferred choice...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Universities (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: I can supply some figures. The total numbers of school-leavers from Protestant and Catholic communities leaving to study in Great Britain are very similar. In 2006-07, 1,137 Protestant and 1,105 Catholic school-leavers chose to study in institutions in Great Britain, while, in 2007-08, 1,142 Protestant and 1,060 Catholic school-leavers chose that route. However, one element is omitted from...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Universities (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: In many respects, it is good that students choose to go to different institutions here and elsewhere, and there are many practical reasons involved. First, some students may wish to study a particular course that is not available here. Secondly, many of them may want an away-from-home experience, and those who come from the greater Belfast area may not consider that they are going away from...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Universities (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: I do not have an answer to that question. The statistics that I rely on are compiled nationally, and I do not believe that they are broken down in that fashion. Also, I have no anecdotal evidence one way or the other, and, unless the Member can provide me with some information, I am not able to answer her question.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College: Capital Investment (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: There has been a significant investment in all of the main campuses of the South Eastern Regional College. Three major projects, with a capital value of £62 million, are spread over six campuses. Newcastle and the first phase of Downpatrick were opened earlier this year, and Bangor, Newtownards, Ballynahinch, Lisburn and the second phase of Downpatrick will be delivered by October 2011....

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Belfast Metropolitan College (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: The efficiency review of the Belfast Metropolitan College has not yet been published because the consultants are making a number of final amendments to the draft report to ensure that their findings and recommendations are valid, complete and accurate. When the final version has been received, the report will be published on my Department’s website.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Belfast Metropolitan College (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: The Department is reviewing the capital programmes for all colleges, because, in recent years, there has been a substantial building programme. We react to estate plans from each college and determine what we can fund. Of course, colleges fund some projects from their own resources. The Member will be aware that a recent PAC report stated that all colleges should hold 10% of their funds in...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Belfast Metropolitan College (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: There is, perhaps, a misunderstanding among colleagues about the Department’s role in such issues. The colleges determine which courses they will run. Each year, the Department approves funding for annual college development plans, but it does not dictate to each college which courses to run and where. Nevertheless, the Department sets certain policy targets and objectives, and it asks...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Belfast Metropolitan College (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: One purpose of the review was to address issues concerning the college’s finances. Under the regulations, the Department was able to send people into the college to examine its finances. The Member will be aware that the chief executive who was in place in the immediate past was ill for quite a long time during a period of major change. That was in addition to other issues. I am pleased...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College:  Ballyboley Campus (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: As I have said, further education colleges are responsible for determining the nature and timetabling of provision offered at each of their campuses, based on local demand. I am advised that the South Eastern Regional College has recently held two open days, produced a mini-prospectus and conducted extensive market research to encourage adult enrolments at Ballyboley campus. As a result,...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College:  Ballyboley Campus (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: The Department’s curriculum policy has been developed to ensure that, through the curriculum offered, the further education colleges achieve an appropriate balance between provision that strengthens economic and workforce development and enhances social cohesion and that which enhances individuals’ skills and learning. As part of that, colleges are required to increase the...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College:  Ballyboley Campus (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: The Member knows that that issue is ongoing. I have had copious correspondence on that with Members over the last couple of years. We have attempted to widen the pool of students who attract financial support. The latest addition to that is anyone who qualifies for rates relief, which opened up things even more. My Department provides resources to colleges for hardship funds, and other...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College:  Ballyboley Campus (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: As I indicated, in fairness to the college, it has been making a big effort. It produced a prospectus and went out and promoted courses locally. The majority of new students have been taking daytime courses. The college will have to continue its marketing activities locally. However, it is at least producing a result, and we have to be grateful for that, thank the college for that and...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College:  Ballyboley Campus (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: The Member for Strangford, who asked the substantive question, is now getting virtually international interest in Ballyboley. It is obviously becoming a centre of great learning, which is what we want it to be. Although we have, in the main, encouraged courses with an economic element, a significant proportion of resources is still available for recreational and similar courses. The college...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Further Education: Engineering (2 Nov 2009)

Reg Empey: I am happy to give the Member such an assurance. My Department sets the broad strategic framework for the further education sector in Northern Ireland and channels its funding accordingly. For example, one of the Department’s public service agreement targets is to increase the proportion of college provision that is in Northern Ireland’s priority skills areas, one of which is...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee Business: Education Maintenance Allowance (20 Oct 2009)

Reg Empey: I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion as it begins a debate on the important issues raised by the Alternative Education Providers’ Forum which gave evidence to the Committee. I thank all the Members who have contributed to the debate. It is interesting that the praise heaped on my colleague Reverend Coulter did not last too long. As was said yesterday, no quarter is asked and...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Programme-led Apprenticeships (20 Oct 2009)

Reg Empey: I will reflect on the latter question and see what information can be provided. Normally, we are able to provide figures based on where people reside, but we are unable to provide figures on how many people are working in a constituency. We can give the Member figures based on people’s addresses; if the Member wishes to write to me, I will be happy to provide him with those. We cannot...