Education Authority sets £50m savings target amid Northern Ireland education funding pressures

The Education Authority has announced a series of cost-saving measures as it attempts to manage what it describes as an "exceptionally challenging financial position" across Northern Ireland's education system.

In a statement issued this week, the authority said it is facing significant budget pressures, with projected funding for the current financial year falling well short of what is needed to maintain existing services. Rising operating costs, increasing demand for services and a growing backlog in school maintenance have all contributed to the financial difficulties.

The Education Authority said it has already secured approximately £30 million in savings and efficiencies this year through measures including restrictions on recruitment, staff training and travel. However, a further package of savings worth around £20 million has now been approved by the EA Board, bringing the total savings target to approximately £50 million.

Among the most significant changes is an increase in paid school meal prices from January 2027. Charges for primary school and special school pupils will rise to £3.40 per meal, while meals in nursery schools and pre-school settings will increase to £3.30. Post-primary school meals will see a 15 per cent increase in cafeteria prices. The authority stressed that free school meals will not be affected and that allowances will increase to reflect the revised charges.

The EA said the new charges will remain below the current average cost of producing a school meal, which stands at £5.28. To help limit price increases, traditional baked desserts will be replaced with dairy and fruit-based alternatives.

The authority has also announced changes to home-to-school transport arrangements. While existing taxi services will remain in place, new transport provision will prioritise parental payment schemes instead of commissioning new taxi services. According to the EA, annual spending on taxis for school transport has more than doubled over the past five years, rising from £19.4 million in 2020-21 to almost £39.8 million in 2024-25.

Changes are also planned for the music service, with a revised charging structure based on pupil participation and the removal of free transport for students attending some group ensemble activities.

Schools will face tighter controls on spending, with delegated expenditure limits set to be significantly reduced. Under the new arrangements, schools will require prior EA approval for a greater range of purchases, with only essential items expected to be approved.

In addition, contingency funding previously used to support issues such as split-site costs and enrolment growth will no longer be available. Funding for some school programmes, which enabled participating schools to deliver activities beyond their core statutory duties, is also set to end.

The EA said it is seeking additional support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to help maintain the School Milk Subsidy Scheme, which currently operates in approximately 500 schools.

Despite the latest savings measures, the Education Authority warned that it still expects to face a funding shortfall in excess of £100 million.

"In short, we are being asked to deliver important services to children and young people with insufficient funding," the statement said.

The authority added that there is now very limited scope to make further reductions without affecting services for schools and pupils, noting that approximately 83 per cent of its budget is spent on staffing, with much of the remaining expenditure committed to statutory and essential services.

The EA said it will continue working with the Department of Education and other partners on long-term reforms aimed at preventing recurring annual funding pressures across the education sector.