HC Deb 13 July 1995 vol 263 c763W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what ways the Department of Education uses its budget to fulfil the Government's policy of targeting social need in Northern Ireland. [33303]

Mr. Ancram

The formula used for distributing the annual block grant resources to the education and library boards takes account of the relative incidence of social deprivation in each board area and social need is also taken into account in determining major schools capital starts each year.

In addition, substantial resources—£6 million to date in 1995–96—are targeted at the education service within the "Making Belfast Work" and Londonderry regeneration initiatives.

Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what way each of the education and library boards enact Government policy of targeting social needs in Northern Ireland. [33304]

Mr. Ancram

Local management of schools funding arrangements require each education and library board to target social needs through allocations in respect of special needs and social deprivation. In 1994–95, £28.8 million or 6 per cent. of the aggregated schools budget was targeted at the most needy schools in this way.

In addition, over £20 million will be made available over the next three years towards a special initiative aimed at raising standards in those schools facing the greatest problems of social and educational disadvantage.