Micheál Martin
Question:71 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Finance if he will publish the cost framework study undertaken by his Department on the proposals contained in the White Paper on education. [14585/95]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Education.
The White Paper on education was published by the Minister for Education following consideration by the Government, which included consideration of its possible cost implications.
As already indicated by the Ministers for Finance and Education in reply to questions by Deputy O'Donnell on 24 May 1995 and Deputy Martin on 28 September 1995 respectively, the cost of implementing the White Paper is contingent on a number of factors including the time scale in which proposals contained in the White Paper are to be introduced, the outcome of discussions/negotiations with concerned interests and notably pay costs which in turn reflect numbers employed in the sector. Initiatives in the White Paper will have to be considered by the Government within the framework of the budgetary parameters and the Maastricht Treaty convergence conditions. In view of the various imponderables involved it is difficult to say with any certainty what the cost of implementing the White Paper will be.
Therefore, I do not intend to publish costings undertaken by my Department which were prepared in the context of the Government's consideration of the White Paper.