AQO 3026/22-27 Oral question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill.
Asked by Andrew McMurray MLA on 22 January 2026
- Answered
- Oral
- Answered in the Chamber
- Tabled
- 22 January 2026
- Answer due by
- 2 February 2026
- Answered
- 2 February 202611 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Answered in the Assembly Chamber on 2 February 2026. Extract from the Official Report (Hansard), including any supplementary questions:
Mr Givan
The Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill was recently passed by the Scottish Government and is awaiting Royal Assent before becoming law. The Bill mandates a minimum of four nights and five days of residential education for every pupil across the period of their school career. That may be fulfilled by way of one five-day-long school trip or through several shorter trips that add up to four nights and five days of residential education. Detailed costs have not yet been calculated, but the cost estimate for year 1 runs from £21 million to £35 million, which is to be met by the Scottish Executive. Whilst I am supportive of the important work of outdoor education providers, given the contribution that outdoor education makes to the school life of our children, I have no intention of introducing a similar Bill in Northern Ireland at this time.
Mr McMurray
Thank you, Minister. You will be aware that the Assembly legislated for a licensing authority for outdoor activity providers nearly 20 years ago but that that has never been implemented. Tollymore National Outdoor Centre, which provided training for many who look after children and young people in the outdoor environment, has been closed for a year. Do you agree that the benefits of outdoor residential education have been treated as an afterthought and that legislation similar to the Scottish Bill is required to ensure that all children can access such transformative experiences?
Mr Givan
I do not disagree with the Member. Outdoor residential activity is very beneficial. Some schools are in a position to provide that, but — he is right — there is no universal provision in order for every child to avail themselves of such an opportunity. My family and I were in Tollymore yesterday, enjoying the benefits of the great outdoors. I certainly encourage schools to make that provision, but it comes with a financial resource pressure. Whilst I have every sympathy and wish that there was greater access that was paid for by the taxpayer, I cannot introduce a Bill that would add to the financial pressures that the Department of Education faces. However, I absolutely support outdoor education and encourage schools to provide it where they can.
Mr Dunne
Will the Minister outline the cost of introducing in Northern Ireland residential education provision similar to the Scottish model?
Mr Givan
Having looked at the Scottish Bill to try to identify what it would mean for Northern Ireland, we believe that such provision would cost between £11 million and £18 million per year. I repeat: whist I support outdoor education, I have to be cognisant of the financial pressures that face the education system, and I am not able to bring forward provision in that area in the current climate.