New Report Shows ‘systemic Failure’ in Schools’ Estate Management With Bill of Up to £800m for Outstanding Repairs and Maintenance

Management of the schools' estate here shows a 'worrying picture of systemic failure' and the bill for outstanding repairs and maintenance could be as much as £800 million*, a new report has revealed.

The Assembly's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) launched an Inquiry into, Managing the Schools' Estate in May 2025. Officials from the Department of Education and the Education Authority (EA) provided oral evidence to the Committee. Written evidence was provided by the Health and Safety Executive NI.

PAC has published a report today following the completion of its Inquiry - which says many schools here are in a state of disrepair and that the current situation is 'unsafe'. It goes on to say that significant maintenance backlogs could pose a health and safety risk and jeopardise educational outcomes for young people.

The Committee has called for an urgent, system-wide reform of the schools' estate management and maintenance - and outlined 11 recommendations to address key issues.

The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Daniel McCrossan MLA said: "In the course of our Inquiry, the Committee heard that, 10 years on from the formation of EA, poor collaboration between it and the Department of Education has continued to undermine the effectiveness of estate management.

"During this time, these two organisations have operated without a clear plan and relied instead on a reactive, short-term approach. This is an alarming example of poor governance that has failed to deliver value for money, meet the needs of school users and has likely contributed to the deterioration of safety and quality across the estate.

"To compound problems further, there is a lack of reliable, up-to-date data. Without robust information systems, effective strategic planning is impossible, and performance cannot be measured or improved.

"There is currently no preventative maintenance plan, even though this could deliver significant savings in the medium to long term. There are also backlogs relating to statutory remedial works - estimated to cost around £29 million**."

Mr McCrossan continued: "A modern, safe and inclusive school estate is not a luxury - it is the fundamental right of every child in Northern Ireland. The Department's current approach to estate management is unsustainable, ineffective and economically wasteful. There must be a new, collaborative working relationship between the Department, the EA and schools.

"Listening to schools and involving them earlier could lead to faster, more informed responses to problems. A new estate management strategy must be developed and implemented without delay. The school estate must be seen as a valued asset and a key enabler of educational success - not just a collection of buildings to be maintained."

Among the recommendations made by the Committee are that by early 2026, the Department develops and publishes a comprehensive estate management strategy, together with an associated annual delivery plan. PAC has also called for the Department and EA to review the roles and responsibilities of all oversight mechanisms and put in place appropriate governance structures to ensure that estate performance is regularly monitored.

The Committee has also recommended clear plans are developed within 18 months by the Department and EA to ensure current SEN provision is fit for purpose in advance of a targeted capital investment plan to expand the SEN provision across the schools' estate.

Ends

For further information please contact Felicity Templeton, Communications Office on 07977 635930 or
felicity.templeton@niassembly.gov.uk

Notes to editors:

* The report says that the maintenance backlog, which shows a significant degree of uncertainty, is projected to range anywhere from £600 to £800 million, up from the previous estimate of £450 million in 2024.

**Statutory remedial works in the school estate involve repairing and improving school buildings to meet legal safety, health, and accessibility standards

• You can read the full PAC report, Managing the Schools' Estate here
• PAC's inquiry was informed by a 2024 report from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO). It noted that with more than 1,100 schools, the schools' estate in Northern Ireland has a total estimated capital value of £4.6 billion.
• The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a Standing Committee. It is PAC's statutory function to consider the accounts, and reports on accounts laid before the Assembly. Further information on the Committee Membership, its work and remit can be found here