Education Minister responds to Assembly Public Accounts Committee report on the Sustainability of Schools

Speaking following publication of the report, Minister O’Dowd said:

“Today’s report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) follows an NIAO Report in June 2015 and a PAC evidence session in November at which the Committee acknowledged the complex and challenging environment in which the Sustainable Schools Policy and Area Planning are being taken forward.

“It is therefore all the more surprising that the PAC has failed to recognise this in its written report and indeed would appear to have completely failed to grasp the complex nature of the policy.

“The sustainable schools policy has been tested in court on several occasions and found to be a competent policy upon which to make decisions both about the future of individual schools and area planning more widely.

“I have already accepted the eight recommendations within the Northern Ireland Audit Office report and these are being progressed by my Department. Project Teams have been established and steady progress has been made.

“I will now consider what additional action, if any, needs to be taken.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Media enquiries to the Department of Education’s Communications Team on Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.

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