Vol. 456 No. 2
22 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if the Department of Finance has costed the proposals contained in the White Paper on education; if so, if these costings will be published; if not, the plans, if any, she has to produce costings; and the plans, if any, she has for the implementation of the proposals contained in the White Paper. [10346/95]
In his reply to Deputy O'Donnell on 24 May, 1995 the Minister for Finance confirmed that he participated in the process of consideration by the Government of the White Paper and that this process included consideration of the cost implications of the White Paper. As Deputies will be aware, costing exercises are contingent on a variety of variable factors. Such factors include, the timescale within which proposals are implemented, the outcome of discussions/negotiations with concerned interests and expert advice on the detailed implementation strategies. Also, as the Minister for Finance pointed out, the cost of education measures are determined to a large extent by pay costs, which in turn reflect numbers employed in the sector and pay rates at any given time. In this context he indicated that it would not be useful nor appropriate to comment on what the cost elements might be into the future and I agree.
For these reasons I do not intend to publish a cost framework or series of cost projections for the White Paper. These exercises would not be very meaningful. They would not contribute to the implementation of the White Paper. The final Government decision on the funding of initiatives in the White Paper is as set out in my foreword to the White Paper. I have reiterated this position to the House in my Statement of 4 May 1995.
Also, very importantly, many key changes in the White Paper will not involve additional resources. Rather, they involve the establishment of rights, responsibilities, roles and functions to create a modern framework for the management of the education system. In this regard, I am giving priority attention to the tabling and enactment of legislation.
