Education Boards spending Plans not yet approved

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has said she is not yet able to approve the Resource Allocation Plans submitted by the five Education and Library Boards.

The Minister said: "I have not yet approved the Resource Allocation Plans submitted to me by the Education and Library Boards. Recently there has been intense media interest in the decision by several Boards to cut summer schemes for special needs children. I am not convinced that out of the multi-million pound allocations the Boards receive, these schemes should be the targets for cuts. I need the Boards to assure me that the expenditure plans they have submitted are making the best use of the public funds allocated to them and will allow them to meet their targets while meeting their equality duties. Until I receive these assurances I am not able to approve the Plans."

Notes to editors:

1. Approval of the Resource Allocation Plans is required to enable the Boards to incur expenditure.
2. The Resource Allocation Plans submitted detail the Boards proposals for allocation of financial resources, including areas proposed for reduction.
3. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 02891279207. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.