All the education boards have revealed shortfalls

Barry Gardiner was responding to predictions that the three education boards, which have not overspent up to now, will face shortfalls of many millions of pounds.

The problems of the Belfast and South Eastern Boards - which have already overspent - are not now being seen in isolation.

The other three boards have said they too are facing a bleak financial prospect.

In a continuing war of words, Mr Gardiner on Thursday pointed to increased spending on the education of pupils and on facilities for them.

In a BBC interview, he also acknowledged the extra spending on special needs pupils - which was a major reason given by the boards for going over budget.

We must not let the structures or bureaucracy get in the way of providing the very best for children Barry Gardiner Education minister

However, the minister said �13.5m extra had been devoted to that over the past two years and the proposed budget for the next three years would add another �21.8m.

Mr Gardiner again said every public body must live within the existing budgets, but he hinted at future cutbacks in the administration of education.

"We must not let the structures or bureaucracy get in the way of providing the very best for children," he said.

'Headquarters redundancies'

The prospect of widespread cutbacks in the Southern Education and Library Board brought resignation threats from some members on Tuesday.

Special needs, school transport, school crossing patrols and canteens could all face cutbacks.

The board is predicting a �28m shortfall over the next three years, even though it does not yet know what its exact budget will be.

The board's financial staff has compiled a list of proposed cuts, including headquarters redundancies.

Five board members refused to even discuss the proposals and walked out of the meeting on Tuesday.

They included Sinn Fein and SDLP councillors.

DUP board member Jonathan Bell said he and other colleagues would rather resign than enforce the cutbacks.

The Western Board said it would have to make cutbacks of �23m and the North Eastern said it would be �27m in the red if it did not make cutbacks.

The Belfast and the South Eastern are currently the subject of a statutory enquiry into why they have overspent their budgets.

SDLP assembly member for Foyle Mary Bradley said she was outraged at the proposed cuts in educational services in the Western Board area.

"This situation is getting out of hand. We cannot and must not risk our children's education like this," she said.

"Instead, the Department of Education and the British direct rule minister must fight tooth and nail to get substantial funding from the Treasury to ensure our educational services remain."