RPA Education News Sheet 15th February 2010
RPA Education News Sheet 15th February 2010
16/02/2010
Proposed Convergence Plans for Education and Financial Impact
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On the lst December 2009 the Minister for Education, Catriona Ruane announced the lst January 2010 for the establishment of the Education Skills Authority was not proceeding and that she would be putting in place transitional governance and management arrangements.
The initial governance arrangements put in place by the Minister was to extend the term of some of the existing Education and Library Board and Council members. The elected representatives to the new smaller Boards and Councils have yet to be appointed. NIPSA understands it will be well into March before all members will be appointed.
The Minister also asked Gavin Boyd, Chief Executive Designate and Sean Hogan, Chairman Designate to produce a Convergence Plan for the whole of the Education Sector.
In a letter to the Chairs of Boards and Councils the Minister advised she had received a Convergence Plan. That letter stated the plan would:-
- Remove Duplication;
- Streamline Management;
- Create greater efficiencies; and
- Make a contribution to the £13m savings required in the next financial year in bureaucracy.
The key elements of the plan include:-
- Implementing shared support services;
- Rationalisation of senior management structure to support regionalised services
- Uniformed approach to implementing key policies.
NIPSA met with Gavin Boyd and John McGrath, from the Department of Education. At that meeting John McGrath advised that as part of the 2007 Budget the following savings had already been identified ie £8m (08/09), £13m (09/10) and £21m (10/11). This money has already been taken out of the system.
In addition members may be aware that the Finance Minister recently announced a further £52m savings had to be found in the next financial year. NIPSA were also advised the Minister had identified a further £30 - £40m of unavoidable pressures. If this budget is approved this will result in total of £100m being taken out of the Education Budget. This equates to approximately 5% of the overall Education Budget.
Cuts of this magnitude will have an impact on all services including children.
The current administration budget across the education sector amounts to approximately 6% - therefore a level that administration is always required and therefore despite recent media speculation any reduction in administration will have minimal impact on the current proposals. It is obvious children and frontline services will be affected if these cuts are forced through.
At this point in time NIPSA has not had sight of the Convergence Plan. NIPSA were advised that the Minister will release this in due course and at a time of her choosing.
From the information NIPSA has been able to glean the proposed Convergence Plan examined current 5 Board services currently in place eg Legal Services, and collaboration models in place between the Western and Southern Boards, eg Education Welfare and Psychology Services. In addition NIPSA understands the proposed model features heavily on Regionalised Services and re-engineering of senior and middle management.
NIPSA’s Education Panel has serious concerns over the information it currently has as it appears the Minister is planning to introduce ESA by the backdoor.
NIPSA Branches will also have to consider in conjunction with the Education Panel about how to respond both locally and centrally on a level of cuts of the proposed magnitude.
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