Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Thursday, 29 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 April 2007. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 April 2007 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

South Eastern Education and Library Board

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will ensure that the financial deficit generated by the South Eastern Education and Library Board is written off prior to the formation of the Education and Skills Authority.

Answer: The financial deficit generated by the South Eastern Education and Library Board will not be written off. The make up of the deficit in that Board is such that some of its schools are owed very significant sums of money and there can be no question of that money not being available to schools as and when they need it. The new Education and Skills Authority will therefore inherit that liability, along with the other assets and liabilities that will transfer from all predecessor bodies. It will have to plan its finances in a way that makes sure that schools in the SEELB area have access to the surpluses that they have accumulated and that schools in deficit continue to take action in line with their agreed recovery plans.

Secondary information