To ask the Minister of Education to detail the basis on which any request by a whistleblower for an independent investigation, as opposed to an investigation by the organisation with operational responsibility for the school concerned, would have been declined during the 2025-2026 financial year.

The Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 provides statutory protection for workers who make protected disclosures. It does not require that investigations to be conducted externally or by a body wholly separate from the organisation complained about. In line with the NICS Raising a Concern Policy Framework, where a concern is raised with the Department about an Arm’s Length Body, the Department will decide whether it is appropriate for the matter to be dealt with by the ALB or by the Department and will advise the person who raised the concern accordingly.

Therefore, each case is considered on its merits, and a decision is taken on how it should proceed, including which body is responsible for progressing and investigating the matter, based on the nature of the concern and the relevant responsibilities and procedures.