To ask the Minister of Education when she anticipates the Independent Review of Education report will be implemented.

The recruitment process to appoint the independent panel is nearing its completion and work on the review will commence shortly thereafter.

The terms of reference for the review, agreed by the Executive, set out the need for a final report to be provided to my Department within 18 months of the review commencing. The agreed terms of reference also make provision for a short extension to the timeframes should it be required and, conversely, allow for early submission of the report should the panel complete its work sooner than expected.

Following consideration of the final report, I would expect that an implementation plan will be prepared for Executive agreement.