asked the Minister for Education if she will restore the levels of financing of third level vocational education for 1989 to at least 1988 levels on (a) capital, (b) current and (c) pay budgets.
Written Answers. - Third Level Vocational Education Financing.
292.
The 1989 pay provision is £57.352 million which represents an increase of £4.387 million over the 1988 pay outturn.
The decisions with regard to the pay and non-pay budgets of the third level VEC colleges were taken by the Government in order to achieve their budgetary targets and in pursuance of their policy by reducing public service staffing. I am confident that the continued good management and co-operation of the college authorities will ensure that services will continue to be provided on an efficient and effective basis.
The Government have reduced the capital budget provision following their decision to defer a number of major third level projects pending the recommendations of an interdepartmental committee on the provision of third level places, the rationalisation of third level departments and institutions and their funding.