Micheál Martin
Question:103 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education her views on the recent survey carried out by the ASTI in relation to the funding of second-level education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21428/96]
Written Answers. - ASTI Survey.
I welcome the recent ASTI survey on staffing, funding and facilities in Irish second level schools as a valuable input to the debate on the optimum allocation of our national resources to the greatest benefit of our people.
I am fully aware of the demands for increased funding by second level schools. There are also demands for increased funding in the other sectors of education as well as demands for increased spending on other public expenditure programmes. I hope that the House will acknowledge that, notwithstanding the many competing demands on budgetary resources, significant increases have been granted in the funding of schools at second level.
I would like to take this opportunity to inform the House that in keeping with the commitment in the White Paper on Education, "Charting our Education Future," I will shortly be announcing the composition of a steering group on the funding of second level schools.