To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she has considered establishing an independent body to provide strategic oversight of (i) higher education; (ii) further education; (iii) skills provision; and (iv) workforce planning, in Northern Ireland.

There are no current plans to establish an independent body to provide strategic oversight for higher education and further education. My Department will continue to perform regulatory functions to ensure that institutions deliver high quality education and research, remain financially viable and protect the interests of students.

Strategic oversight for skills provisions is also provided through my Department’s existing leadership and governance arrangements. This is supported by cross-government collaboration and a range of established advisory and delivery mechanisms, to ensure that the system remains aligned with my Economic Vision and the Programme for Government.

My officials are exploring options to strengthen employer-led skills development, including models such as Skillnet Ireland and a potential Workforce Development Agency. Engagement with NI Chamber is helping to assess how these approaches could support wider skills policy, with preparatory work underway to develop the evidence base, options, and stakeholder engagement needed to support informed decision-making in the next mandate.