Who we are
The Education Authority is a regional body with responsibility for the provision and delivery of education and youth services. It was established under the Education Act Northern Ireland 2014 and became operational on 1 April 2015.
Responsibilities
The Education Authority (EA) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of Education (DE). EA is responsible to DE for ensuring that efficient and effective primary and secondary education services are available to meet the needs of children and young people, and for ensuring the provision of efficient and effective youth services. EA is also legally delegated to administer student finance on behalf of the Department for the Economy (DfE). EA is also the employing authority for all staff at Controlled schools and non-teaching staff at Catholic Maintained schools. The 2014 Education Act created additional duties for EA to encourage, facilitate and promote shared education and the community use of premises. EA has subsequently become the funding authority for voluntary grammar and grant-maintained integrated schools. Responsibility for the funding and support of regional youth services has also transferred to EA, from the Youth Council for Northern Ireland.