Menu
14/01/2011
New School Building Projects Slashed
The Stormont Education Minister has revealed that new school builds will be the main casualty in a bid to save hundreds of millions of pounds.
Sinn Fein's Caitriona Ruane (pictured) intends to shift £41m from the school building capital budget to pay instead for services and staffing.
The plans are outlined in the department's budget plans for the period 2011/12 to 2014/15.
The money for school building work was already due to be cut and this decision will double the shortfall next year.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she had chosen to transfer money from the school capital budget to "minimise the impacts in the classroom".
The minister plans to cut other costs, such as the bills for substitute teachers and school transport, the cost of providing computers, and support staff to schools.
However, road construction has done better in the cut-backs with the draft budget spending proposals and savings delivery plans for the Department for Regional Development (DRD) 2011-2015 also published.
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy said: "With a 40% reduction in the Executive's overall capital funding from Treasury over the budget period, this has had a significant impact on the draft budget available to DRD for infrastructure investment and difficult choices have had to be considered as part of this process.
"Nevertheless the DRD draft budget has allocated almost £2bn to capital investment over the budget period. This includes over £1.1bn for roads, around £185m for public transport and over £665m for water and sewerage services."
On roads, the allocations would allow the Department to continue development work on the A6 Dungiven to Derry scheme and begin construction of the A32 in Enniskillen, providing improved transport links and improving access to the new acute hospital in Enniskillen and the 85km dual carriageway on the A5 between Derry and Aughnacloy and the 14km dual carriageway on the A8 between Belfast and Larne.
The Minister said: "Structural maintenance would on average be at current levels totalling approximately £280m over the four year period. In the first year of the new draft budget, a record £94m will be spent on structural maintenance which should help to address the impact of recent severe winter weather on roads throughout the north.
"Roads Service will also continue to give priority to road safety when planning and carrying out its maintenance activities. This will include the upkeep of the road surface, drainage and road markings," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
Sinn Fein's Caitriona Ruane (pictured) intends to shift £41m from the school building capital budget to pay instead for services and staffing.
The plans are outlined in the department's budget plans for the period 2011/12 to 2014/15.
The money for school building work was already due to be cut and this decision will double the shortfall next year.
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she had chosen to transfer money from the school capital budget to "minimise the impacts in the classroom".
The minister plans to cut other costs, such as the bills for substitute teachers and school transport, the cost of providing computers, and support staff to schools.
However, road construction has done better in the cut-backs with the draft budget spending proposals and savings delivery plans for the Department for Regional Development (DRD) 2011-2015 also published.
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy said: "With a 40% reduction in the Executive's overall capital funding from Treasury over the budget period, this has had a significant impact on the draft budget available to DRD for infrastructure investment and difficult choices have had to be considered as part of this process.
"Nevertheless the DRD draft budget has allocated almost £2bn to capital investment over the budget period. This includes over £1.1bn for roads, around £185m for public transport and over £665m for water and sewerage services."
On roads, the allocations would allow the Department to continue development work on the A6 Dungiven to Derry scheme and begin construction of the A32 in Enniskillen, providing improved transport links and improving access to the new acute hospital in Enniskillen and the 85km dual carriageway on the A5 between Derry and Aughnacloy and the 14km dual carriageway on the A8 between Belfast and Larne.
The Minister said: "Structural maintenance would on average be at current levels totalling approximately £280m over the four year period. In the first year of the new draft budget, a record £94m will be spent on structural maintenance which should help to address the impact of recent severe winter weather on roads throughout the north.
"Roads Service will also continue to give priority to road safety when planning and carrying out its maintenance activities. This will include the upkeep of the road surface, drainage and road markings," he said.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 March 2018
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
Schools Closures Across NI
The Department of Education have published a list of all schools across that have confirmed they will be closed today, Friday 2nd March, 2018 due to the adverse weather conditions.
19 September 2018
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
Up To 100 Roads Closed As Storm Ali Hits NI
A growing number of roads across Northern Ireland are closed due to adverse weather conditions as a result of Storm Ali.
20 September 2018
Number Of Roads Remain Closed Following Storm Ali
A number of roads remain closed across Northern Ireland following the damage caused by Storm Ali. The following roads are still closed, however the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is working to clear the obstructions along with its multiagency partners.
Number Of Roads Remain Closed Following Storm Ali
A number of roads remain closed across Northern Ireland following the damage caused by Storm Ali. The following roads are still closed, however the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is working to clear the obstructions along with its multiagency partners.
22 January 2013
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
Heavy Snow Closes Over 80 Schools
Over 80 schools across Northern Ireland have been closed as the heavy snow continues to cause disruption on Tuesday morning. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, as the snow is continuing to affect many roads. Areas which have been majorly disrupted include Lisburn, Castlereagh and Carryduff.
14 January 2011
NI's Public Purse Hit As Treasury Swoops
Although the Stormont Finance Minister and the First and Deputy First Ministers raised their concern, some £300m of Westminster funding is being removed from Northern Ireland. This is to "sort out a hole" in the Treasury's finances, Minister Sammy Wilson has said.
NI's Public Purse Hit As Treasury Swoops
Although the Stormont Finance Minister and the First and Deputy First Ministers raised their concern, some £300m of Westminster funding is being removed from Northern Ireland. This is to "sort out a hole" in the Treasury's finances, Minister Sammy Wilson has said.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
