Education funding boost for Northern Ireland

Government funding for integrated education in Northern Ireland is to increase by £25m over the next financial year, it has been announced by Education Minister Maria Eagle.

This translates into a 6.3% increase in cash to reflect a 3.7% increase in pupils.

The minister also announced that an extra £22m would be available for education and library boards - an increase of 6%.

The £25m boost in school's budgets increases the average spending per pupil to about £3,000 a year.

Ms Eagle commented: "At a time when pupil numbers are falling fast, we are investing more than ever in our schools.

"This money will make a real difference to schools in the year ahead, [it] will give school leaders extra spending power to use in ways they feel can best deliver the right outcomes for children and young people."

The minister wants Northern Ireland politician to prioritise education funding upon a return to devolution.

"Northern Ireland needs thriving, sustainable and well-funded schools that contribute towards a shared future; everyone involved in education must work together to make them a reality," Ms Eagle said.

The funding follows news released yesterday by the NI Secretary Peter Hain that the Bain Report will be implemented - which could result in the closure of hundreds of smaller schools.

However, not everyone has seen this as a positive move by the government. Ulster Unionist Lagan Valley assembly member, and former chairman of the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, Billy Bell, has rebuked the funding saying that "creative accounting" and spin lies at the heart of the government's funding announcement.

In a statement, Mr Bell said: “Last July it was revealed that the Department of Education had posted up a £69 million underspend for that financial year. At the time the government said that the money is not lost to Northern Ireland and will be reinvested.

“So this puts the £25 million ‘funding boost’ into some context. One third of what was left unspent has been returned to education.

"Where is the remaining £44 million? When will we see this money re-emerge?"

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(DS)