Thousands of schools jobs 'could go as a result of budget cuts'

A senior official in the Department of Education has predicted at least 2,500 job losses in schools over the next financial year because of cuts.

Trevor Connolly described the situation as "extremely bleak and difficult".

Mr Connolly said 1,000 teaching jobs and 1,500 non-teaching jobs could be lost and that that figure could rise. He said schools budgets could also be cut.

The Department of Education has to make cuts of £198m to its budget.

Mr Connolly made his remarks when he was giving evidence to the Education Committee at Stormont.

The draft budget is out for public consultation until the end of the month.

The assembly will debate the budget next month.