MLA's argue the case for Bushmills Education Centre

Debate over the future of the Bushmill's Outdoor Education Centre held at Stormont yesterday

Maurice Bradley DUP for East Londonderry, Philip McGuigan Sinn Fein for North Antrim, Stewart Dickson Alliance for East Antrim, Sandra Overend UUP for Mid Ulster, Colin McGrath SDLP for South Down.  Support for the Bushmills Outdoor Education Centre transcended both party politics and constituency boundaries.

Phiilp McGuigan MLA, who tabled yesterday's adjournment debate and recently visited the centre, urged the Education Minister, Peter Weir to "end the 2016 Assembly term with a good news story for us all and announce the retention of the Bushmills Outdoor Education Centre."  The site at Bushmills is one of four such outdoor centres earmarked for potential closure by the Education Authority.

Many thanks to everyone who made the trip to @niassembly today to help #SaveBushmills and to the MLAs who were united in cross party support pic.twitter.com/o7mXWlpCU5

— Save Bushmills Edu. (@SaveBushmills) December 6, 2016

Currently there is an ongoing consultation period over the future of the Centre.  Running for 12 weeks until February, no decision will be finalised until the period is complete.  A petition to save the site has been launched, and members of the 'Save Bushmills Education Centre' group were in the public gallery during the debate.

Philip McGugain was the first to address the chamber, and while he empathised with the financial constraints on Peter Weir's department, he highlighted what he called 'key flaws' in the consultation process.  He also told Minister Weir of the impact, centres like the one in Bushmills can have.  "Children may discover talents that they would otherwise have had no opportunity to discover or develop." said Mr McGuigan "I share the frustration of those in the Gallery and in the local community about this proposed closure."

Many thanks to @mcguigan_philip @over2sandra @RobinSwannUUP @EastDerryMLA @stewartcdickson @JimAllister @Buchanan_dup for supporting debate.

— Save Bushmills Edu. (@SaveBushmills) December 6, 2016

Mervyn Storey MLA echoed the sentiments of  his fellow North Antrim MLA, claiming that, should the centre close, "children would have to travel miles for a comparable facility".  Mr Storey also sked whether there was "a deliberate attempt by the Education Authority and the former North Eastern Education and Library Board to run down [the] service"  Mr Storey highlighted a reduction in part-time staff from 14 to 3.

Robin Swann MLA, again of North Antrim asked for the consultation process to be suspended.  Mr Swann who also visited the centre said that the facility offers "a bespoke service to each one of the young people attending"

Phillip Logan MLA also said the consultation was flawed, questioning the validity of the rationale behind the proposed closure.  Mr Logan said that he believed the Education Authority had the best of intentions regarding childrens' futures.  However he questioned that the reasons for proposed closure were due to the need for a better service. "I find it strange that the centres that are earmarked for proposed closure are the ones with the highest maintenance bill." said Mr Logan  " t seems to be an attempt to save money, hidden behind a disguised message."

Great to be supporting Save Bushmills Outdoor Education Centre campaign I will be speaking on behalf of many East Antrim schools who called

— Stewart Dickson MLA (@stewartcdickson) December 6, 2016

TUV leader Jim Allister said that he did "not understand why the powers that be want to destroy a success story, that is what Bushmills is and has been for generations."  Mr Allister added that he believed Bushmills benefits "some of the most deprived kids in our schools, who are low in self-esteem and self-worth."

East Derry MLA Gerry Mullan said he 'echoed the sentiments of practically everybody in the house' calling any attempt to close the Education Centre a 'despicable process' and accused the Education Authority of 'deception and dishonesty'.  He concluded by urging the Minister to do all he could to help the centre.

East Antrim's Stewart Dickson claimed "the outdoor education centre in Bushmills "strengthens, reinforces and builds on the knowledge of all the children, young people and others who use the centre."

Mid Ulster MLA's Keith Buchannen and Sandra Overend also lent their support to the education centre.  Mr Buchanan called it  "one of the best equipped residential centres in Northern Ireland."  While Mrs Overend said she supported calls to suspend the consultation process as sites like Bushmills can help "break down barriers"

Maurice Bradley from East Londonderry agreed with Mrs Overend's sentiments with a concise phrase; "if we can play together, we can live together."  Mr Bradley added that the centre helps "young people to open their mind and stretch their personal horizons far and wide.

Today I will be speaking in support of Bushmills Outdoor Education Centre. I urge people to respond to consultation @SaveBushmills https://t.co/jOT3NGhTou

— Keith Buchanan MLA (@Buchanan_dup) December 6, 2016

South Down's Colin McGrath said that the Education Minister  "is the decision maker when it comes to education in Northern Ireland."  Adding that It is therefore eventually up to Peter Weir "to overturn the decision" to close, should that happen.

Education Minister Peter Weir commended the 'passionate and articulate' support for the centre, and acknowledged the campaigners in the public gallery.  Mr Weir was also quick to point out, any decision made on the Centre's future, was no slur on the work carried out at the facility.  "No one is decrying the fact that outdoor education is important or that good work has been done in Bushmills and the other centres" said Mr Weir.

The Minister said there were two issues at the heart of the matter.  Firstly he said it was about finding an 'appropriate balance of provision' throughout Northern Ireland.  The second issue is a 'financial element'.  Mr Weir said that the decision he has to make may come down to "Which good service we maintain and which good service we cut."

Deposited Paper (DE): Details re. the use of facilities at Bushmills Outdoor Education Centre in last four years https://t.co/n2eBroO2do pic.twitter.com/hfT0gVO4Cq

— NI Assembly (@niassembly) December 6, 2016

Mr Weir also thanked the representatives for their input, saying that he appreciated the suggestions put forward by the representatives.  He even suggested that writing directly to the board members of the Education Authority, was a perfectly viable option.

For now the public consultation will continue, however it would seem that the Bushmills Education Centre will not be going down without a fight.