AQW 42880/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/03/2026
Answered On Date: 31/03/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any current procedures, existing prior to the publication of the Northern Ireland Audit Office report Raising Concerns in the Northern Ireland Public Sector, for ensuring independent investigation when concerns are raised, and the Education Authority itself is potentially implicated.

Answer:

My Department adheres to the Raising Concerns at Work Policy

(Public Interest Disclosure / Whistleblowing) available on the Departmental website. Section 9 ‘Concerns received regarding Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) linked to the Department’ enables my Department to retain ownership of the investigation where Whistleblowing concerns relate to senior members of ALB staff or Board members. Consideration is also given to the role of the ALB Board (and Audit Committee) in dealing with any such cases.