The North's education minister has given an additional £12.5million (€18.8 million) to the education and library sector which has severe financial problems.
Angela Smith said the money would go towards special needs provision, buildings and school meals services. Some £4 million will go towards "cost-sharing" through- out the sector as moves are made to streamline the complex education and library administration structure.
The announcement marks a departure from the position of Barry Gardiner, Ms Smith's predecessor, who stood firm against any allocation of extra money despite the inability of many education and library boards to remain within budget.
Public sector unions have been involved in one-day stoppages protesting at some £30 million in cuts. Unions yesterday welcomed the move as "a step in the right direction". The money is less than half of what unions claim is needed, but Ms Smith said it would make a difference.
"There are currently over 45,000 empty desks in schools, and pupil numbers are set to fall by a further 37,500 over the next 10 years. This will have a major impact right across the education sector. We need to take action now to make the best use of the resources that are available to us and ensure that we have sustainable schools with sufficient pupils and resources to provide the quality of education our children deserve."
