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Western Education & Library Board,
1 Hospital Road,
Omagh, Co Tyrone,
BT79 0AW

Telephone: 028 8241 1411
Fax: 028 8241 1400
Email: info@welbni.org
Textphone: 028 8241 1550
Press:comms@welbni.org

Review of Public Administration (RPA)

REVIEW OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (RPA).

One of the most significant issues continuing to impact on the Board is ongoing implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA).  Formally launched in June 2002, RPA was the first major examination, in over thirty years, of how public services in Northern Ireland are organised and delivered. 

RPA in Education meant that, by 1 January 2010, a new Education and Skills Authority (ESA) would replace the five Education and Library Boards and other education sector organizations in Northern Ireland.  A new Library Authority was established in April 2009, however, on 20 November 2009, the Minister for Education announced that it was unlikely that the relevant legislation would be in place to enable the establishment of ESA on 1 January 2010. 

In the absence of a date for implementation of ESA, the Department of Education and ESA Implementation Team continue to work at the development of Convergence Delivery Plans.  These Plans are aimed at outlining an approach to collaborative working between Boards and other education sector organizations to support achievement of the Minister for Education's goals in the transitional period prior to the establishment of ESA.

During this time of uncertainty and unprecedented change, the Board continues to meet the challenge of managing change and uncertainty whilst maintaining quality service delivery in the lead up to the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority.

Latest RPA News
  • For access to the Radio Foyle Morning Programme Interview (7 July 2010) about the WELB Budget Deficit, click here:

  • A debate on ESA and the Convergence Delivery Plan took place in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 18 May 2010.  Click here to view an extract of the debate.
  • The Department of Education has advised the Board that the WELB Interim Board's term ended on Friday 14 May 2010 and the new Transition Board is now in place. The Board's SMT would like to pay tribute to, and appreciates the high level of dedication and professionalism demonstrated by, the 7 member Interim Board in successfully managing the responsibilities of a 35 member Board since 01 January 2010.
  • To access the Education and Library Boards' response to the recent article by the Deputy First Minister in the Belfast telegraph on 14 April 2010, click here.

ESA Convergence Delivery Plans (CDP)

In the absence of a date for implementation of ESA, the DE and ESAIT continue to work on details of Convergence Delivery Plans.  These Plans are aimed at outlining an approach to collaborative working between Boards and other education sector organizations in the transitional period prior to the establishment of ESA.  A copy of the DE CDP may be accessed by clicking here.
To view WELB's detailed response to the CDP which was submitted to the Permanent Secretary, click here.
To view NIPSA Questions following Chief Executive's address to staff on 4 March 2010, click here.
To view DE's response to WELB's queries about the CDP, click here.

ESA Policy Papers & WELB Responses

A total of 22 RPA Policy Papers were developed by the Department of Education and put out to consultation.  WELB responded to all 22 Policy Papers.  To access Policy Papers and WELB responses, click here.

Other ESA Consultation Documents / Issues & WELB Responses

WELB has responded to a wide range of RPA/ESA consultation documents and issues, including:

  • Principles for Location of Public Sector Jobs (May 2007
  • 2nd Tier Structure Proposals (May 2007)
  • ANIELB Working Paper (May 2008)
  • Director Structure Proposals (Feb 2009)
  • Education Bill 1 (Feb 2009)
  • RRVS Strategy (March 2009)
  • Draft Guidance Note on PSC's fifth Guiding Principle -
  • Voluntary Severance (May 2009)
  • RPA Ministerial Questionnaire (May 2009)

To access these documents and WELB responses, click here

Useful RPA/ESA links

To access useful links to other RPA/ESA related websites, click here.