AQW 30779/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any review of the Education Authority's minor works procurement process that has taken place on the past five years.
Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 10 September 2025
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 10 September 2025
- Answer due by
- 25 September 2025
- Answered
- 16 September 20256 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
In April 2025, the Education Authority (EA) Chief Executive engaged the services of an external reviewer to act as a ‘critical friend’ and undertake an independent review of the EA’s capital minor works and maintenance service processes.
The outcomes of this review were shared with the EA Board at its meeting on 26 June and the report was shared with the Department on 7 August. The report notes that the EA is an accredited Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE), so did not consider procurement procedures.
The EA’s Minor Works Service primarily uses a competitively tendered dynamic shortlisting system (DSS) to procure pre-qualified design teams and contractors.