To ask the Minister of Education how the amalgamation of Education and Library Boards will impact on support for Outdoor Education Centres which provide practical life skills training for young people in throughout Northern Ireland, and particularly Woodhall Outdoor Education Centre in Kilrea.

The Department of Education does not directly fund Outdoor Education Centres. These are currently funded by the Youth Service within each Education and Library Board area in accordance with their statutory obligations. This function will transfer to the single Education Authority, when established. It will be a matter for the Education Authority to decide how outdoor education provision is managed in line with the Department’s priorities, as set out in Priorities for Youth.