AQW 39821/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 04/02/2026
Answered On Date: 13/02/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any planned process for appointing an Independent Commission, to review the sustainability of the school estate.

Answer:

My Department has set out its proposals for a Five-Year Education Budget Strategy. Consultation on the strategy closes on 3 April 2026.

The strategy includes proposals to restructure the school estate and within that context an Independent Commission may be appointed to lead on this work. I will make a decision on the establishment of an Independent Commission and process for doing so, if applicable, after the responses to the consultation have been considered.