Michelle McIlveen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michelle McIlveen
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McIlveen in 2025
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| Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party | |
| Assumed office 7 March 2025 |
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| Leader | Gavin Robinson |
| Preceded by | Gavin Robinson (2024) |
| Minister for Education | |
| In office 14 June 2021 – 27 October 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Peter Weir |
| Succeeded by | Paul Givan (2024) |
| Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs | |
| In office 6 May 2016 – 26 January 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Michelle O'Neill |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Poots |
| Minister for Regional Development | |
| In office 21 September 2015 – 6 May 2016 |
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| Preceded by | Danny Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | Chris Hazzard |
| Junior Minister at the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister | |
| In office 11 May 2015 – 28 October 2015 Serving with Jennifer McCann
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| Preceded by | Jonathan Bell |
| Succeeded by | Emma Little-Pengelly |
| Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strangford |
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| Assumed office 7 March 2007 |
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| Preceded by | John Taylor |
| Member of the Ards Borough Council | |
| In office 5 May 2005 – 5 May 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Wilbert Magill |
| Succeeded by | Stephen McIlveen (brother) |
| Constituency | Newtownards |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 January 1971 Newtownards, Northern Ireland |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Democratic Unionist Party |
| Alma mater | Queen's University, Belfast |
| Profession | Politician |
| Cabinet | Deputy Leader |
| Committees | Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs |
Michelle McIlveen is a politician from Northern Ireland. She was born on January 21, 1971. Since 2025, she has been the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). She has also been a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the area of Strangford since 2007.
Michelle McIlveen is also the DUP's spokesperson for topics like the environment, climate, and fisheries. She held the role of Secretary for the DUP from 2008 until 2025. She has also served in several important government jobs, including being the Minister for Education from June 2021 to October 2022.
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Early Life and Education
Michelle McIlveen grew up in Newtownards. She went to Methodist College Belfast for school. Later, she studied at Queen's University, Belfast. There, she earned a Master's Degree in Irish Politics. She also got a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, which is a qualification needed to teach in the United Kingdom.
Before becoming a full-time politician, she taught History and Politics. She worked at Grosvenor Grammar School in East Belfast for several years. She also helped out at her father's car dealership in Newtownards.
Political Career
Michelle McIlveen began her political journey as a local councillor. She was first elected to the Ards Borough Council in 2005. She represented the Newtownards area.
Becoming an MLA
In 2007, she was elected as an MLA for Strangford. This meant she became a representative in the Northern Ireland Assembly. In 2008, she became the Secretary of the DUP.
Roles in Government
Michelle McIlveen held several important government positions:
- Junior Minister: From May to October 2015, she was a Junior Minister in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
- Minister for Regional Development: In September 2015, she became the Minister for Regional Development. This role involved looking after things like roads and public transport.
- Minister of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs: From 2016, she served as the Minister for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs. She held this job until the Northern Ireland government stopped working for a period in January 2017.
- Minister for Education: On June 14, 2021, Michelle McIlveen, who used to be a teacher, was appointed as the Minister for Education. During her time in this role, she helped pass the School Age Bill. This law made it more flexible for children to start primary school.
Her local office for her constituents is located in Comber.
Deputy Leader of the DUP
Michelle McIlveen became the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in March 2025. She was chosen for this role without anyone running against her. Many people in the party saw her as a reliable leader who could help keep the party working together.
In July 2025, Michelle McIlveen said that groups like the Orange Order and other unionists have faced unfair criticism in the media.
