Micheál Martin
Question:239 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the recent cutbacks in the education budget; and if she will specify each area in which cuts in expenditure have taken place. [13306/95]
Written Answers. - Education Budget.
There is no reduction in the 1995 Education budget as provided in the Estimates for 1995.
The Government reviewed its financial targets in June 1995 and decided that in order to meet its overall budgetary targets it was necessary to control public sector expenditure. In this context it was agreed that the expansion in teaching posts for the 1995-96 school year should be carefully monitored and controlled. This means that the rate of expansion of certain services has to be adjusted.
Additional education posts have been provisionally allocated on a sectoral basis as follows: First-Level Education 300; Second-Level Education 576; Third-Level Education 255.
The 1996 budgetary requirements for my Department are currently being discussed with the Department of Finance within the parameters of the Government's overall budgetary strategy. I will not be in a position to make a definitive statement on the matter until the Government approves the 1996 Estimates.