Debate contribution: Schools: Maintenance Contracts

Debate contribution by Mrs Michelle Guy on 2 February 2026.

MLA: Mrs Michelle Guy
Party at the time: Alliance Party
Date: 2 February 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Schools: Maintenance Contracts
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5356554

Text

Thank you, Minister, for that response. In the midst of the financial crisis in education, it is vital that we have confidence that procurement is achieving value for money. A school leader in our constituency recently vented his frustration to me that the EA procurement frameworks were not delivering on that. He was forced to pay an annual fee of over £600 for one supplier, yet he still had to pay that supplier a further £500 in fees to deliver pretty much nothing. Yet, in another sector, he used the same supplier who charged him considerably less. Minister, can you provide an assurance that the new systems will achieve value for money for schools and ensure that the taxpayer and our schools are not being ripped off by those contracts?

130 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3025/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

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