Menu
27/10/2023
Education Representatives Discuss Current Pressures On The Sector
The Department of Education (DE) has hosted a meeting with key representatives of Northern Ireland's education sector to discuss the current pressures on the sector.
At the meeting, Permanent Secretary of the DE, Dr Mark Browne was joined by Chair of the Board of the Education Authority (EA), as well as EA Board members and senior officials.
A key topic of the meeting was the significant budgetary challenges currently facing education in Northern Ireland.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Browne said: "I remain extremely conscious of the significant challenges facing the education system in terms of the current financial situation, ongoing industrial action, inadequate school estate funding and rising numbers of pupils with Special Educational Needs.
"With a funding gap in the region of £300m in 2023-24, and despite taking some very difficult decisions, it will not be possible to live within our existing budget. It will also once again be impossible to offer pay awards to our hard working staff as, within the current budget, it is simply unaffordable. This is not an acceptable position. Our teachers and staff deserve to be paid at a fair level for the outstanding job they do in very difficult circumstances.
"I remain very concerned that the quality of education and outcomes for children and young people will continue to suffer without additional significant investment in education services and transformation, along with a sustainable funding model for the long term."
Addressing ongoing pressures on the Education Authority's budget, Mr Mulholland said: "There has been a chronic under funding in education over the last ten years and we remain very concerned about the impact the unprecedented financial pressures are having on our schools, staff and ultimately our children and young people, particularly the most vulnerable.
"It is essential that as a society we value and invest in the education of our children and young people and in future generations to come.
"We would therefore echo the Permanent's Secretary's support for fair pay for all teaching and non teaching staff and would strongly repeat our call for sustained investment and continued transformation of services."
At the meeting, Permanent Secretary of the DE, Dr Mark Browne was joined by Chair of the Board of the Education Authority (EA), as well as EA Board members and senior officials.
A key topic of the meeting was the significant budgetary challenges currently facing education in Northern Ireland.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Browne said: "I remain extremely conscious of the significant challenges facing the education system in terms of the current financial situation, ongoing industrial action, inadequate school estate funding and rising numbers of pupils with Special Educational Needs.
"With a funding gap in the region of £300m in 2023-24, and despite taking some very difficult decisions, it will not be possible to live within our existing budget. It will also once again be impossible to offer pay awards to our hard working staff as, within the current budget, it is simply unaffordable. This is not an acceptable position. Our teachers and staff deserve to be paid at a fair level for the outstanding job they do in very difficult circumstances.
"I remain very concerned that the quality of education and outcomes for children and young people will continue to suffer without additional significant investment in education services and transformation, along with a sustainable funding model for the long term."
Addressing ongoing pressures on the Education Authority's budget, Mr Mulholland said: "There has been a chronic under funding in education over the last ten years and we remain very concerned about the impact the unprecedented financial pressures are having on our schools, staff and ultimately our children and young people, particularly the most vulnerable.
"It is essential that as a society we value and invest in the education of our children and young people and in future generations to come.
"We would therefore echo the Permanent's Secretary's support for fair pay for all teaching and non teaching staff and would strongly repeat our call for sustained investment and continued transformation of services."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 February 2024
FMDFM Opened Limavady's New £11m Shared Education Campus
NI's First and Deputy First Minister's have officially open a new £11 million shared education campus in Limavady. Education Minister Paul Givan accompanied the Ministers to view the newly completed campus bringing together St Mary's and Limavady High School sites with a range of new shared facilities.
FMDFM Opened Limavady's New £11m Shared Education Campus
NI's First and Deputy First Minister's have officially open a new £11 million shared education campus in Limavady. Education Minister Paul Givan accompanied the Ministers to view the newly completed campus bringing together St Mary's and Limavady High School sites with a range of new shared facilities.
14 March 2013
Low Paid Staff In Education Sector To Receive £250
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has made funding available to allow payments of £250 to be made to low paid staff in the education sector. The payments, for staff earning less than £21,000 a year, reflected the decision across the public sector to provide additional payments to low paid staff at a time when a pay freeze was effective.
Low Paid Staff In Education Sector To Receive £250
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has made funding available to allow payments of £250 to be made to low paid staff in the education sector. The payments, for staff earning less than £21,000 a year, reflected the decision across the public sector to provide additional payments to low paid staff at a time when a pay freeze was effective.
27 March 2023
Alliance Calls For 'More Adequate' Funding For Education
The Alliance Party has echoed a call for more adequate funding for the education sector after an urgent cross-party meeting held by the Chief Executives of the seven education sectoral support bodies in Northern Ireland and the Chief Executive of the Education Authority.
Alliance Calls For 'More Adequate' Funding For Education
The Alliance Party has echoed a call for more adequate funding for the education sector after an urgent cross-party meeting held by the Chief Executives of the seven education sectoral support bodies in Northern Ireland and the Chief Executive of the Education Authority.
19 January 2024
HUB-IN's Funding Brings Innovative Visitor Experiences To Belfast's Maritime Mile
HUB-IN has awarded £120,000 of funding to develop six prototypes that will bring innovative visitor experiences to Belfast's Maritime Mile.
HUB-IN's Funding Brings Innovative Visitor Experiences To Belfast's Maritime Mile
HUB-IN has awarded £120,000 of funding to develop six prototypes that will bring innovative visitor experiences to Belfast's Maritime Mile.
15 May 2024
New Funding Initiative Announced To Provide More Affordable Homes
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has announced a funding offer to build more affordable homes for lower income tenants as part of the forthcoming Housing Supply Strategy. The Intermediate Rent scheme will provide funding through a long-term, low-interest government loan to an operator.
New Funding Initiative Announced To Provide More Affordable Homes
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has announced a funding offer to build more affordable homes for lower income tenants as part of the forthcoming Housing Supply Strategy. The Intermediate Rent scheme will provide funding through a long-term, low-interest government loan to an operator.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
