Vol. 475 No. 5
30 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the cost implications for the Exchequer of the proposed regional education boards; whether she has received a consultancy report on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3966/97]
56 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the cost implications for the Exchequer of the proposed regional education boards; whether she has received a consultancy report on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3965/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 56 together.
It is not possible to be precise about the cost implications of the establishment of education boards at this time. The establishment of the boards will not result in a completely new area of expenditure. Rather it will involve the reallocation of funding and administrative responsibilities within the education system.
The establishment of the education boards will take place on a phased basis, with a gradual transfer of functions to the boards within a costed and approved plan prepared by each board and approved by the Minister. This will facilitate careful appraisal of the incremental costs of the boards in the context of the Education Estimates for the year in question, and within the overall context of the budgetary parameters approved by Government, an education budget which has increased from £1.645 billion to an estimated £2.3 billion since 1992.
I have not received any consultancy report on this issue. However, to ensure the smooth transfer of functions to the education boards, and to prepare for the new role of the Department, management consultants have been contracted by my Department to review the present organisational structure of the Department. As part of their brief, they will also make recommendations regarding the future structure of the Department and the education boards. This will ensure that no unnecessary expenditure is incurred in the transfer of functions.
