Written question asked by David Burnside (Ulster Unionist Party) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 April 2005. It was answered by Barry Gardiner (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the cost is of implementing the Costello Report in years (a) one, (b) two and (c) three after the ending of academic selection between primary and secondary schools in the Province.

Answer: David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost is of implementing the Costello Report in years (a) one, (b) two and (c) three after the ending of academic selection between primary and secondary schools in the Province. [221773] Mr. Gardiner: As the new post-primary arrangements will largely be developed at local level, it is not yet possible to estimate the implementation costs in the three years following the ending of academic selection. Over the next three years £24.7 million has been made available to support the preparation for, and the phased introduction of key elements of, the new arrangements in advance of the last transfer tests in 2008.

Secondary information