Robin Newton MBE MLA

East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton, Deputy Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee, speaking in support of the above motion said this motion is one that all MLAs will have been lobbied on and that the relevance of the motion does not stop with the attendance at a class within a local college but rather has implications regarding social inclusion, mental health and the physical well-being of the entire population. 

Robin Newton said,

“This motion is accepted by the Assembly as a whole with no dissenting voices from any of the parties and the Minister was in agreement that all avenues should be pursued to resolve the issues at the earliest opportunity.  The availability of further education courses to older people is highly desirable for all levels of our society. However, for those on fixed incomes access to the courses is prohibitive due to the high course enrolment fee costs. 

I am encouraged by the response of the Minister and his words that it is not a cost issue but a legal one that prevents him awarding concessionary rates. The further education of older people allows them to acquire a wide variety of new skills across many levels of interest but perhaps more pertinently can help keep them mentally and physically active and improve the overall quality of life.  I intend to continue to lobby the Minister at every opportunity through my role as an Assembly member and the Deputy Chair of the Employment and Learning Committee to ensure that the issue is kept high on the Minister’s agenda.” 

Motion: That this Assembly calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to enter into discussions with the Regional Colleges about the options for, and legalities surrounding, the reinstatement of concessionary course fees for older people; and seeks the Minister’s acknowledgement that the availability of these discounted courses provides considerable social, as well as education, benefits to older people. (Tuesday 9th June 2009)