The Department of Education has contacted schools to say that the funding which provided 500 schools additional funding to support counselling, after schools and homework clubs has now been cut due to the Department having to make savings.
 
Speaking after the announcement, Connie Egan MLA stated that it was “devastating" that our most vulnerable children were having to bear the brunt of these cuts.
 
The North Down MLA said: “It is absolutely devastating to see that yet again, it is the most vulnerable children in our society that are bearing the brunt of the Department of Educations cuts.”
 
“However, the financial position that they've been placed in is of a direct consequence of having no Executive or local Education Minister to support our schools. A restored Executive would not solve every problem within our education system, but without the institutions back up and running, no progress at all can be made in dealing with the endless list of cuts being made across our education system."
 
“It is unacceptable that it is our most vulnerable children and young people experiencing the brunt of the financial situation. This will undoubtedly have a significantly negative impact on their lives, as well as the morale of the staff who may have to pick up the pieces.
 
"It’s time for the DUP to accept our children deserve better, end their deadlock and get back to Stormont to get an Education Minister into office to deal with it."