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SELB chief executive Mrs Helen McClenaghan said: "At today’s meeting, Board members were told of fears that the SELB’s budget for services supporting
schools was projected to be totally inadequate during the 2005-08 period.
"The SELB’s financial target is to remain within budget for the year to March 31, 2005, and, by imposing cuts of £3.6million this year, the Board
expects to meet this target.
"However, the Board is greatly concerned at the prospect of under-funding from the Department of Education in future years in light of the publication
on October 12 of the Government’s proposals for Northern Ireland Draft Priorities and Budget - 2005-08.
"Based on these projections, Board officers have identified that there could be significant shortfalls in funding requirements for the SELB.
"The Department of Education’s base financial allocation to the SELB for 2004/05 was £219million.
"Of this allocation, £152 million was delegated to schools under the Local Management of Schools formula. Of the remaining £67million, £23million
was allocated to schools by means other than the formula to cover costs such as landlord maintenance, classroom assistants, teacher substitution costs
and school rates, and £44million was retained at centre to provide services such as special education, pupil transport and school meals. Based on the
Northern Ireland Draft Priorities and Budget - 2005-08, a shortfall of £6m for 2005-06 is projected if these services are to be maintained in real terms.
"The picture becomes even more dismal in subsequent years with a projected shortfall of £10million for 2006-07 and £12m for 2007-08.
"The Board has decided to hold a special meeting on 30 November to hear more about the research work being undertaken by the officers."
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