AQW 29721/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 02/07/2025
Answered On Date: 09/07/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the intended timeline for (i) the opening of a new Controlled Schools Unit; and (ii) the legislative process required for the provision of a managing authority for controlled schools

Answer:

The new Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) will be established by September 2025. Further intensive engagement with the controlled school’s sector will then take place to gather insights to help shape the unit’s final structure and work programme. This process should then see the CSU fully operational in early 2026.

At this juncture, the overall staffing structure and number of staff that will be operational with the CSU has still to be confirmed. It is anticipated that the CSU will be resourced by internal restructuring and via recruitment where required.

In relation to the legislative process required for the provision of a managing authority for controlled schools, it is the intention of myself and Department officials to follow the necessary legislative steps required to bring primary legislation to the Northern Ireland Assembly to ensure that this critical work is carried out correctly for the Controlled School sector. I recently circulated a paper to Executive colleagues outlining my intention to legislate on this matter.