By Vivienne Russell | 1 June 2012
An extra £72m is to be spent on schools and children’s services in Northern Ireland over the next three years after the province’s education budget was revised.
Areas to receive more funds include early years, extended schools, youth services and maintenance of the school estate. The extra money comes from reducing bureaucracy and savings in other educational services. Funding for free school meals will also be topped up.
Education Minister John O’Dowd said school maintenance was also an area of concern. A ring-fenced allocation of £27m has been made for 2012/13, which O’Dowd said would be ‘welcome news for the beleaguered construction industry’.
Funding for extended schools and youth services has been increased by £3.6m over the next three years.
O’Dowd also said that early intervention was a priority and announced that he was ensuring sufficient funds were available to provide at least one year of pre-school education to every family that wants it.
An extra £72m is to be spent on schools and children’s services in Northern Ireland over the next three years after the province’s education budget was revised.
Areas to receive more funds include early years, extended schools, youth services and maintenance of the school estate. The extra money comes from reducing bureaucracy and savings in other educational services. Funding for free school meals will also be topped up.
Education Minister John O’Dowd said school maintenance was also an area of concern. A ring-fenced allocation of £27m has been made for 2012/13, which O’Dowd said would be ‘welcome news for the beleaguered construction industry’.
Funding for extended schools and youth services has been increased by £3.6m over the next three years.
O’Dowd also said that early intervention was a priority and announced that he was ensuring sufficient funds were available to provide at least one year of pre-school education to every family that wants it.
