To ask the Minister of Education whether he can provide an assurance to staff of each Education and Library Board that their job will be secure when a single education board is created.

The establishment of the Education Authority will represent a rationalisation of existing structures (the five Education and Library Boards and the Staff Commission). The new Authority is therefore expected to employ fewer staff, particularly in management grades, than are currently employed by the Education and Library Boards. Significant reductions in staff had already been made in anticipation of the establishment of ESA; it is my expectation that any remaining reductions will be achieved through voluntary redundancy, retirement or resignation.