Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Mar 1992

Vol. 416 No. 6

Written Answers. - Programme for Economic and Social Progress Proposals.

Alan Shatter

Question:

78 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the non-pay aspects of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress the Government intend not to implement during 1992 and which were committed to be implemented during 1992 in the programme.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

The Government are fully committed to the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and to implementing the important social and economic policies contained in it.

This commitment must, however, be tempered by the need to ensure that the programme's fiscal parameters are observed. This was made clear in the programme itself which said that the aims of fiscal policy would continue to be the reduction of the national debt/GNP ratio towards 100 per cent by 1993 and as part of this to achieve broad balance on the current budget. Fundamental to the achievement of these aims is continued firm control of our public finances.

Given the budgetary circumstances facing us in 1992, it was simply not possible to implement all of the 1992Programme for Economic and Social Progress undertakings in full while at the same time achieving budgetary targets consistent with the programme. It proved necessary, therefore, to defer or scale back some of the initiatives in the education area which were specifically intended to be introduced in full in 1992. Nonetheless, substantial elements of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress non-pay undertakings are being implemented this year. I believe that in the end a fair balance was struck. The core of the non-pay aspects of the programme was preserved while, at the same time, some elements were scaled down or deferred in recognition of the overriding need to protect the public finances.

The 1992 commitments in relation to education which were intended to be implemented in 1992 but which were scaled back or deferred are set out in the following schedule. The schedule sets out the original measures in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, the element of the measure which is going ahead and the element which has been deferred.

Given the budgetary circumstances the £4 million provided for in the budget forProgramme for Economic and Social Progress-related education initiatives is no small achievement. It is the Government's firm intention to implement the other measures outlined in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress as budgetary circumstances permit.

Programme for Economic and Social Progress undertakings in Education Area 1992

Original Proposal in Programme for Economic and Social Progress [PESP Paragraph ref. in brackets]	Element of Original Proposal being implemented in 1992	Element of Original Proposal being deferred
Section IV
[Para. 69 (a)]
Lower PTR at First Level to 25:1 by September 1992 [Second and Final Phase of original Programme for Economic and Social Progress commitment to be achieved in 1992, involving lowering PTR from level achieved in 1991 (25.8:1) to 25:1 in 1992.	Original commitment to be partially met by reducing PTR to 25.2:1 in 1992.	Further reduction of PTR from 25.2:1 to 25:1 deferred.
[Para. 69 (b)]
Lower PTR at Second Level to 19:1 by September 1992 [Second and Final Phase of original Programme for Economic and Social Progress commitment to be achieved in 1992, involving lowering PTR from level achieved in 1991 (19.5:1) to 19:1 in 1992.	Original commitment to be partially met by reducing PTR to 19.25:1 in 1992.	Further reduction of PTR from 19.25:1 to 19:1 deferred.
[Para. 69 (d)]
Vice Principals at Second Level: (Vice Principals to be ex-quota in schools with 500 pupils and over : First Phase)	To be implemented in full in schools year 1992/93 as originally planned.	—
[Para. 69 (e)]
Guidance Teachers at Second Level : (Guidance teachers to be on an ex-quota basis of 0.5 of a whole-time post in schools with between 350 and 499 pupil: First Phase).	To be implemented in full in school year 1992/93 as originally planned.	—
[Para. 69 (g)]
In-Service Training (First and Second Levels: First phase of expansion to be funded to the tune of £0.5m in 1992.	Partial implementation of first phase in 1992 at a cost of £0.265m.	Remainder of proposed funding for In-Service Training deferred (£0.235m)
[Para. 69 (h)]
Caretakers & Clerical Assistants (First and Second Levels: Capitation grants to be paid to medium-sized and larger schools to meet the cost of caretakers and secretaries : max. grant £15,000 per school; existing SES scheme to continue).	Partial implementation in 1992 at a cost of £0.5m.	Remainder of proposed funding of caretakers and clericals deferred (£2.178m).
[Para. 69 (i)]
Disadvantaged Fund (Second Phase: Further £1m to be provided in 1992).	Partial implementation in 1992 at a cost of £0.25m	Remainder of proposed funding for Disadvantaged Fund deferred (£0.75m).
[Para. 69 (k)]
Central Services of RTCs; additional £1m to be provided annually from 1992 onwards.	Partial implementation in 1992 at a cost of £0.25m.	Remainder of proposed funding for Central Services of RTCs deferred (£0.75m).
[Para. 69 (p)]
Upgrading of Substandard Buildings at Primary Secondary and vocational education committee Third Level colleges : £4.5m to be provided in 1992 (Capital).	Not to be implemented in 1992.	Proposal deferred in full.