A spokesperson for the Western Education and Library Board (WELB), said: "The Western Education and Library Board, in reflecting on the recent announcement on the new timetable for implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA), welcomes the new date of April 2009.

Whilst this undoubtedly presents a challenge, the Board believes that it provides further opportunity to prepare for a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

The spokesperson continued: "The WELB emphasises the need to ensure continued provision of high quality educational services for people living in the Western area. The Education and Library Boards have developed a very strong and successful tradition of locally accessible educational services and the educational system must continue to be responsive and accessible to the needs of local and rural communities.

The WELB will continue to provide quality services in the run up to the new arrangements and looks forward to receiving further clarification on the implications for the provision of educational services in the Western area.