12/01/2011

North's Education Budget 'Stalled'

The DUP spokesperson on Education, Mervyn Storey has called on the Sinn Fein Stormont Education Minister to publish her spending plan and has said her foot-dragging is causing uncertainty for schools and other education stakeholders.

Commenting after discussing the matter with party colleague, Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, the North Antrim MLA said: "It is now over four weeks since the Finance Minister presented the Draft Budget statement to the Assembly.

"It is regrettable but not surprising that the Minister for Education, Caitriona Ruane, has not yet published her Department's budget.

"Despite my repeated requests as Chair of the Assembly Education Committee, to both the Sinn Fein Minster and her officials we still remain in the dark as to the detail and impact of the budget for schools, pupils and teachers across Northern Ireland," he fumed.

(BMcC)

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