Debate contribution: Schools in Mid Ulster: Procurement Process
Debate contribution by Mr Colin Crawford on .
- MLA
- Mr Colin Crawford
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 18 February 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Adjournment
- Heading
- Schools in Mid Ulster: Procurement Process
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4806851
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I join others in thanking the Member opposite for bringing the Adjournment debate to the House today. Although, like the previous Member who spoke, I do not have the pleasure of representing the good folk of Mid Ulster, I am pleased to take part this evening and make a few brief remarks as the Ulster Unionist education spokesperson. Our schools are not just buildings. They are the heart of our communities and are where our children learn, grow and prepare for the future. For far too long, schools have faced unnecessary delays and deficiencies when it comes to their maintenance and repair needs. That is due, in large part, to a procurement process that is overly complex, slow and burdened by red tape. Every day, school administrators, teachers and parents are frustrated by the length of time it takes to get basic maintenance tasks completed. Whether it is fixing a leaking roof, repairing a broken boiler or ensuring the safety of the playground, the current system is not working fast enough. This is not just a minor inconvenience. It directly affects the learning environment and, ultimately, the quality of education that our children receive. Today, I join others, right across the House, in calling for a simplified, streamlined procurement process for school maintenance. That would mean faster approval times and more autonomy for local decision makers. We need a system where schools can quickly secure the services that they need to keep their buildings safe and functional. My ask is simple: reduce the number of steps involved in the procurement process, cut down on excessive paperwork and allow local contractors who know our schools and our community best to be prioritised in the bidding process. By doing so, we will not only speed up maintenance work but boost local businesses and create jobs. We also need to ensure that the funding allocated for school maintenance is used efficiently. Every penny must be spent where it is needed most: on our children's education and well-being. Schools should not be waiting for months to fix critical infrastructure issues. The success of reform depends on the collaboration of all stakeholders: local government, the Education Authority, contractors and community members. Together, we can build a procurement process that is transparent, efficient and serves the best interests of our schools. I firmly believe that a simplified process will lead to quicker repairs, safer schools and better outcomes for our children. Our schools must be a priority. I thank the Minister for being in the Chamber today to listen and reply to the debate, which is about ensuring that schools are properly maintained without unnecessary delays. Let us make that change happen for the future not only of children in Mid Ulster but students right across Northern Ireland.
462 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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