Vol. 435 No. 10
37 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if, in view of her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 451 of 6 October 1993, she will give a breakdown of the cost of the National Education Convention in terms of secretariat costs, expenses of visiting experts, hire of premises, public and press relations and other costs.
The final cost of the National Education Convention is not yet available. While the convention proceedings have concluded the secretariat is at present involved in preparing its final report, taking account of the proceedings and outcomes of the convention. I indicated to the Deputy in response to his parliamentary question on 6 October that the exact cost would only be available following an assessment of the full extent of the time commitment of the secretariat up to the completion of their work following the convention.
Expenses paid or submitted to my Department for payment up to the present come to £65,000. This includes approximately £24,700 for communications consultancy, £28,000 for organisation of the convention including facilities-provisions for delegates and the press, £6,100 for administration and support services and the remaining £6,200 for miscellaneous other costs.
