andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Education the amount of money per head of population spent annually on (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) university education by (i) the Republic of Ireland, (ii) Northern Ireland and (iii) Great Britain.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Education.
54.
I have no statistics available to me from which I could furnish the information requested by the Deputies. I can say, however, that assessments made by international organisations disclose that the percentage of our national income which is devoted to education is about the same as in Great Britain.
Does the Minister seriously suggest to the House that he has not available to him the figures he has been asked to give in this Question? Is it not a fact that he is ashamed to give the figures to the House, in view of the big gap between the amount spent here and the amount spent in the Six Counties and in Britain on education?
I do not think it will be generally agreed that the difference in expenditure per head of population is significant. I understand that O.E.C.D. intend to publish an international comparison soon. I have not got the figures requested by the Deputy.
Does the Minister hope to be in a position to give the figures we have requested at any stage in the near future?
Such figures are not available, but, as I say, an international comparison will be made by this organisation. I am not sure upon what basis it will be made but the announcement was made recently and I expect they will make it on what they imagine to be the best possible basis.
I should like to ask the Minister if he can give the figures for the Republic of Ireland as requested in the Question?
I have not got the figures.
Would the Minister be able to get them for the Republic?
If they can be got without undue expenditure of time or money, I shall get them, if another Question is put down.