Joan Burton
Question:98 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the Estimates for his Department for 2004. [30906/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.
In announcing the 2004 Estimates for education, I outlined the key features of my spending proposals for 2004 as follows: an additional €23 million for the primary school building programme; the allocation of €25 million as the first instalment on a €140 million capital investment by the Government to ensure that cycle three of the programme for research at third level, PRTLI, progresses rapidly; improvements in capitation payments for primary and post-primary schools – an additional €10 per pupil at primary and an additional €8 at post-primary, with a supplementary €4 per pupil for voluntary secondary schools as part of equalising funding in the sector; and continued targeting and prioritisation of disadvantage and special needs.
It also features funding for the special education council, which will be established on a statutory basis under the upcoming disabilities Bill; €115 million extra being provided for residential institutions redress; €325 million for benchmarking and Sustaining Progress; €90 million for improved payments to temporary teachers and part-time workers; an increase of €80 in the student registration fee; and an increase of €10 in standard examination fees for the junior certificate and leaving certificate examinations.
The Government regards education as a strategic priority and the overall increase of 12% in the education Estimates compared with the general Government increase of 5% is a clear demonstration of the Government's specific recognition of that priority. I should add that the recent budget announcement contained a further allocation of €30 million for school building which I welcome and which is a further indication of the Government's firm resolve to deal with school accommodation issues.