AQW 37890/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/01/2026
Answered On Date: 02/04/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether, since April 2024, any Executive discussions or decisions relating to the Education Authority’s finances, budget allocations, or governance, included a recorded recusal by the deputy First Minister.

Answer:

Ministers are not required to recuse themselves from discussion, and as such there is no recorded information in relation to recusals. Ministers are required to declare an interest where they are proposing or supporting an action which is likely to, or perceived to, have a direct benefit to themselves or to another person or organisation with whom they have a close personal relationship or interest. Such an interest was declared by the deputy First Minister in relation to these circumstances.

Ministers have, as required, completed the Ministerial Register of Interests, a copy of which can be found at the Department of Finance website.