Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the publication of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report into the management of the schools' estate, stating it brings into sharp focus a "critical and long-standing" issue of chronic underinvestment.

In response to the PAC's findings on Thursday, 16 October 2025, Mr Givan warned that the education system is facing a "capital funding crisis that must be addressed without delay."

He acknowledged the Committee's concerns over the state of school infrastructure and stressed his commitment to ensuring every child is educated in a safe, modern, and inclusive environment. Mr Givan said that the core problem is not a lack of planning but a lack of funding. He highlighted that "severe and unsustainable financial pressures" have prevented his Department from carrying out routine maintenance or making long-term improvements. Instead, resources have been limited to only the most urgent, health-and-safety-related repairs, a reactive approach that the report rightly states cannot continue.

The pressure is most acute within Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision. The cost of emergency SEN placements has risen from £9 million in 2019 to a projected £85m this year, an 850% increase in just six years, which the Minister described as a financially unviable trajectory.

To address the long-term infrastructure needs, and in line with a key PAC recommendation, Mr Givan confirmed he has submitted a 10-year, £1.7 billion Special Educational Needs investment plan to the Executive. This strategic proposal aims to ensure children with SEN are supported in appropriate, high-quality learning environments.

The Minister concluded by calling for urgent, cross-party support to secure the investment needed, warning that without action, the school estate "will continue to deteriorate, with real consequences for pupils, staff, and communities."

A formal response to the PAC's recommendations will be provided via a detailed Memorandum of Reply in due course.