Education faces difficult decisions in the future - Ruane

Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, today warned of difficult decisions ahead as she considers proposals for reductions in planned expenditure in education next year.

Speaking after a meeting with the Education Committee to discuss the Executive’s draft Budget proposals for 2010/11 the Minister was clear about the extent of difficulties facing education. She said: “I have met with the Education Committee to obtain their views on how we can deliver the reductions required and address pressures within the overall context of my priorities for education, which are founded on equality. It is essential that our resources are targeted on the areas of greatest need while protecting frontline services.”

The Minister warned that the extent of pressures facing the Education budget could be in the region of £100 million. This includes some £74 million (capital and current expenditure) which will be taken out of education in line with the Executive’s draft Budget proposals and a range of other pressures facing education.

The Minister continued: “We are operating in a very difficult financial context and that inevitably means difficult decisions ahead for all public services. That is something which is important to all of us and it is for that reason that I have engaged with the Education Committee.

“My overall aim has to be to continue to deliver quality education for all our children and young people. Central to that is the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA), which will drive up standards and reduce bureaucracy. It is disappointing that the Executive’s target date of January 2010 for ESA has not been met. Our plans for ESA included delivery of £13 million savings in 2010-11 and clearly therefore the delay in the establishment of ESA has significant financial implications for all of us.

“On capital investment, we face a reduction of £22million next year. We need to ensure we use all resources to best possible effect and I have already commissioned a review of capital projects.

“This is a time of important change in education when we need to ensure the interests of children and young people are reflected in all our priorities and plans.”

Notes to editors:

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