Menu
06/03/2009
Education Budget Revealed
Some £5million to address a continuing maintenance backlog in schools, funding for primary school uniforms and almost £8million to meet the cost of job evaluation in the education and library boards are among items covered in NI's education budget for the coming year.
It has also provided £6million in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to assist employing authorities in meeting the costs of premature retirements.
The details were revealed today by Stormont Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, who admitted that it was a "difficult budget" for Northern Ireland's schools and warned the education boards that "hard decisions will have to be made in the incoming financial year".
Schools would have to prepare themselves for a financial troubles, including compulsory teacher redundancies and cuts in front-line services.
Already, Ulster Unionist Education Spokesman Basil McCrea has said he understands there could be up to 40 compulsory teacher redundancies in each board area in a bid to save cash.
However, the Education Minister confirmed today funding available to go directly to schools' delegated budgets is up 5.3% from 2008-09 to more than £1.1billion.
In addition over £400million will go to the boards, an increase of almost 2.6% from 2008-09.
"I have had to strike a balance between ensuring core services are maintained and at the same time other important priorities are addressed including relative levels of funding for primary schools.
"That has meant some difficult decisions have had to be made, but overall, I believe the package I am announcing strikes the right balance," said Ms Ruane.
"On this basis I will have to curtail funding for the fourth cohort of specialist schools," she continued.
"Through the Innovation Fund I will be able to support some of those schools that have submitted a bid for specialist status in a Science, Technology, Engineering and and Mathematics area, but those hoping to pursue a specialism in other curricular areas will, I know, be disappointed and I will be writing to all those schools to explain my decision."
Following the latest notice of their financial allocation, the various education boards have just over two weeks to draw up their budgets for the 2009/10 year.
(BMcC/JM)
It has also provided £6million in both 2009-10 and 2010-11 to assist employing authorities in meeting the costs of premature retirements.
The details were revealed today by Stormont Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, who admitted that it was a "difficult budget" for Northern Ireland's schools and warned the education boards that "hard decisions will have to be made in the incoming financial year".
Schools would have to prepare themselves for a financial troubles, including compulsory teacher redundancies and cuts in front-line services.
Already, Ulster Unionist Education Spokesman Basil McCrea has said he understands there could be up to 40 compulsory teacher redundancies in each board area in a bid to save cash.
However, the Education Minister confirmed today funding available to go directly to schools' delegated budgets is up 5.3% from 2008-09 to more than £1.1billion.
In addition over £400million will go to the boards, an increase of almost 2.6% from 2008-09.
"I have had to strike a balance between ensuring core services are maintained and at the same time other important priorities are addressed including relative levels of funding for primary schools.
"That has meant some difficult decisions have had to be made, but overall, I believe the package I am announcing strikes the right balance," said Ms Ruane.
"On this basis I will have to curtail funding for the fourth cohort of specialist schools," she continued.
"Through the Innovation Fund I will be able to support some of those schools that have submitted a bid for specialist status in a Science, Technology, Engineering and and Mathematics area, but those hoping to pursue a specialism in other curricular areas will, I know, be disappointed and I will be writing to all those schools to explain my decision."
Following the latest notice of their financial allocation, the various education boards have just over two weeks to draw up their budgets for the 2009/10 year.
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 March 2015
New Education Authority To Replace NI's Five Education And Library Boards
The new Education Authority will replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards on Wednesday 1 April. The new Authority replaces the existing five Education and Library Boards and their Staff Commission. The new organisation will have a £1.
New Education Authority To Replace NI's Five Education And Library Boards
The new Education Authority will replace Northern Ireland's five education and library boards on Wednesday 1 April. The new Authority replaces the existing five Education and Library Boards and their Staff Commission. The new organisation will have a £1.
18 November 2011
O'Dowd 'Adds £40m' For Schools Budget
NI schools have won a 'boost' with news that the Stormont Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has reallocated millions of pounds to fund developments. Taken from earlier budget savings and cost-cutting measures, he said that figures of £10m, £15m and another £15m respectively would feed into the schools budget over the next three years.
O'Dowd 'Adds £40m' For Schools Budget
NI schools have won a 'boost' with news that the Stormont Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has reallocated millions of pounds to fund developments. Taken from earlier budget savings and cost-cutting measures, he said that figures of £10m, £15m and another £15m respectively would feed into the schools budget over the next three years.
21 January 2013
'Too Much Spent On Small Schools' - Panel
A review into the funding of schools in Northern Ireland has found that too much is being spent on keeping smaller schools open, while disadvantaged pupils are being neglected. Education Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed the review.
'Too Much Spent On Small Schools' - Panel
A review into the funding of schools in Northern Ireland has found that too much is being spent on keeping smaller schools open, while disadvantaged pupils are being neglected. Education Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed the review.
29 November 2011
Schools Close As Education Budget Squeezed
Most of four schools in the South Eastern Board area, which were threatened with closure, have been told that they will indeed be shutting down. Redburn Primary in Holywood, Dunmurry High School and Ballykeigel Primary in Comber, have been told the board would like them to close by the end of August next year.
Schools Close As Education Budget Squeezed
Most of four schools in the South Eastern Board area, which were threatened with closure, have been told that they will indeed be shutting down. Redburn Primary in Holywood, Dunmurry High School and Ballykeigel Primary in Comber, have been told the board would like them to close by the end of August next year.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
