Vol. 486 No. 1
865 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the announcement in the previous Government's White Paper on education that, in future, new school buildings would be vested in education boards; whether the existing system of ownership is to be retained in view of the excision of education boards from the Education Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1439/98]
It is the Government's responsibility to introduce what measures it considers appropriate to improve the framework and quality of our education system.
As Minister for Education and Science, I am not proceeding with the establishment of regional education structures as proposed in the previous Government's White Paper on Education. This is because I am strongly of the view that such a measure would create an unnecessary intermediate administrative tier within our education system which would not deliver advantages commensurate with its cost. This decision has full Government backing.
With regard to the question of ownership of new school buildings, the matter will be examined in the light of a number of considerations, including the recommendations of the Commission on School Accommodation Needs.
