School Funding 2023-05-10
2023-05-10
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Children's Law Centre warned that cuts to Northern Ireland's budget could violate commitments made under the Good Friday Agreement, particularly for disadvantaged children.
What assessment has been made of the potential impact of reductions in funding for education in Northern Ireland on schools? The Children's Law Centre warns that these cuts may breach commitments to children in the Good Friday agreement. How will budget cuts be prevented from causing harm to vulnerable children?
The Northern Ireland Department of Education has been allocated £2.6 billion for resource, which is a 1.8% reduction from 2022-23. The current structural division in the education system incurs a cost of £226 million per year. We must consider how funds can be optimally used.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on preventing harm to vulnerable children and ensuring compliance with the Good Friday Agreement
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The reduction of education spending by the Northern Ireland government is a matter of concern for schools and vulnerable children.
The Government seeks to increase real terms education spending but it is declining absolutely over the next years. Is getting an Executive installed soon necessary to address long-term reform needed in education?
Reform is necessary across public services, but structural reform needs a restored Executive. The hon. Friend raises valid concerns about the decline in absolute terms of spending on Northern Ireland's education.
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Assessment & feedback
Details on the necessity and timeline for getting an executive installed to address long-term reform
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister's recent visit to Belfast emphasized the need for integrated education but current strategy lacks specific targets and funding details.
How will the Government ensure that integrated education becomes the norm when the current strategy does not have student number targets or specify funds allocated?
The policy for growing integrated education is a matter for a restored Executive. The first step is to encourage parties to form an Executive and bring forward a strategy.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete details on how the Government will ensure integration becomes norm without a restored executive
Response accuracy