Savage condemns spending by Education Chiefs on out-of-court settlements
Upper Bann Ulster Unionist Assembly Member George Savage MLA today spoke of his outrage at the amount the 5 Education Boards have spent on out-of-court settlements over the past two years and the costs incurred in relation to legal fees and compensation. Speaking from Stormont, George said,
“Having received a response from the Minister to my question I am deeply concerned about the amount of money spent by the Education Boards on out-of-court settlements over the past two years and the costs incurred in relation to legal fees and compensation”.
“I am concerned that in the Financial Year 2005/2006, the 5 Boards spent £1, 052, 453 on legal fees and compensation. I am horrified to find a 68 PERCENT increase in the Financial Year 2006/2007 where the 5 Boards spent £1,764,213. This is a complete and absolute outrage and someone must be made accountable for this gross extravagance. I call upon the Minister to investigate this and to come up with some answers that actually will carry weight and resonate with the public and those in the education sector.”
“What I find even more worrying is that we do not know how much settlements decided upon in court have cost the Department or the Boards.”
This issue is very important because it cuts right to the heart of an ongoing debate within education circles, that being, who is accountable for how money is spent and how resources are allocated?
“It is my belief that the Minister and her officials have a lot to answer for!”
“This gross overspend is ridiculous when you consider that Classroom Assistants are still fighting for a just and fair pay deal from the Department and our Primary Schools are grossly underfunded.”
“The total figure that the Boards spent on legal fees and compensation in two years was £2.8million. It is a sobering to think that this would pay for 113 teachers or 226 classroom assistants.”
“I look forward to hearing what the Department of Education has to say…”