AQW 40574/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 12/01/2015
Answered On Date: 15/01/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail the rationale behind the proposed removal of the remaining Community Relations, Equality and Diversity funding for education by his Department.

Answer:

The proposal to end earmarked Community Relations, Equality and Diversity (CRED) funding is a direct consequence of the challenging budget reduction faced by my Department, in which I have sought to protect front line services.

Amongst the mitigating factors which I have taken into account as to the impact of the ending of CRED funding is the introduction of a £25m Shared Education Signature Project which seeks to improve educational (including reconciliation) outcomes.

I am currently considering responses to the budget proposal consultation which ended on 29th December 2014 prior to finalising the 2015/16 budget.