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Tuesday, 8 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 254-278

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (254, 255)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

254. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the work that has been carried out to improve school facilities, by school, in County Meath in each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; the schools to which extensions have been provided in County Meath in each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014; the schools for which extensions are planned in the years 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29415/14]

View answer

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

255. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form by school the work that has been carried out to improve school facilities in County Meath in each of the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; if he will outline where extensions have been provided in County Meath schools in the same years; the schools that can expect to get extensions in the years 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29433/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that details of all schools, including schools in County Meath, that have received capital funding from my Department may be viewed on my Department website at www.education.ie by clicking on "Schools and Colleges", then "Building Works" and selecting the relevant headings. This is updated on a regular basis.

The Deputy will be aware that the Five Year Construction Plan that I announced in March 2012 lists the individual school projects that are planned to proceed to construction over the duration of the Plan. The Plan priorities new school building projects as well as major extensions in areas where significant demographic need has been established, including areas in Meath, so that our school system is in a position to cater for increasing pupil numbers.

Further to the Five Year Plan, my Department is committed to publishing a detailed annual programme in relation to individual major school projects commencing construction. In December 2011, details of 56 major school building projects scheduled to commence construction in 2012, the first year of the Plan, were published. In December 2012, details of 50 major school scheduled to proceed to construction in 2013, the second year of the Plan, were published. In November 2013, details of the 70 building projects scheduled to commence construction in 2014, the third year of the plan, were published. All three Plans are available on my Department's website.

In addition, due to additional funding made available for the schools' building programme as part of the Government's "Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs" package, 28 school projects that were not contained in the Five Year Plan but had completed extensive architectural planning are now being progressed to tender and construction. Two schools in County Meath benefited from this initiative.

The Deputy will also be aware that under the Prefab Replacement Initiative 2012, approval was given to 170 schools nationally to replace 458 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €42 million was allocated for this initiative. In June 2013, the Department announced a further initiative to replace prefab units with permanent accommodation. A total of €15 million has been allocated in 2013/14 for this purpose. Replacing prefabs is part of this Government's €475 million education infrastructure plan for 2014. The list of schools approved under these prefab replacement schemes are available on the Department's website. 10 County Meath schools were awarded capital funding under this initiative.

The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced details of the schools, including those schools in County Meath that will receive Summer Works Scheme funding in 2014 in respect of applications submitted for Categories 1-6 i.e. Gas, Electrical, Mechanical, Toilet Facilities and Roof Works projects. In total, I have approved funding of more than €70 million on this scheme to allow schools undertake improvement works during the summer. A list of the successful schools may be viewed on my Department's website.

Question No. 256 answered with Question No. 253.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Questions (257)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

257. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an applicant to Caranua who is unhappy with a decision handed down by an appeals officer has the right to appeal the decision to the Ombudsman; and the reason applicants are not informed of this right. [29459/14]

View answer

Written answers

In accordance with section 22(6) of the Residential institutions Statutory Fund, Act 2012 a person affected by a decision of the Appeals Officer can appeal to the High Court on a point of law within 28 days of receipt of the Appeals Officer's decision. Any decision of the High Court on such appeal shall be final and conclusive in accordance with section 22(8) of the Act. Caranua includes information on the appeals process when notifying decisions to applicants.

The Appeals Officer is independent of Caranua in the performance of his functions. While Caranua comes within the scope of the Ombudsman Acts 1980 to 2012, the actions of persons such as independent appeals officers are generally excluded from investigation by the Ombudsman.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Questions (258)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

258. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who received payments from the old Education Finance Board who have applied for payments from Caranua; and the number of these persons who have been refused payments. [29460/14]

View answer

Written answers

The information sought by the Deputy is not available. Caranua and the former Education Finance Board are separate bodies with distinct schemes involving different eligibility criteria. The functions vested in the Education Finance Board were transferred on its dissolution to Caranua until such time as the investment account which financed the former Education Finance Board is closed. Caranua has advised that in compliance with its data protection obligations, there will be no cross-referencing of applications made to it and the former Education Finance Board.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (259)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

259. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of persons who engaged in multi-annual courses and to whom commitments were made by the Education Finance Board; the number of these persons who have been contacted by Caranua; and the number of these persons who have continued to receive payments for courses. [29461/14]

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Written answers

On its dissolution in March 2013, the functions of the former Education Finance Board were vested in Caranua. These functions included making payments to individuals engaged in multi-annual education courses to whom financial commitments had been made for the duration of their courses by the Education Finance Board. Caranua contacted 17 people in this regard. 13 individuals responded and payments were made accordingly to them in 2013.

Education Policy

Questions (260)

Noel Coonan

Question:

260. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 302 of 27 May 2014, if section 28 of the 1998 Education Act has been enacted and is in place; the timeframe in which his Department will introduce the charter referred to in that reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29483/14]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the education environment has changed since 1998. There are now a number of avenues for resolving grievances. Section 28 places no obligations on a school to have a broader policy on its relationship with parents and students. I intend to include an amendment to Section 28 of the Act as part of the final Admissions to Schools Bill which has recently been approved for drafting by Government.

Education and Training Boards

Questions (261)

Pat Deering

Question:

261. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used for short listing candidates for teaching positions in ETBs; and if he will indicate if this a centralised system for all ETBs. [29491/14]

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Written answers

The position is that Education and Training Boards are statutory bodies with their own corporate status established under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. The recruitment and appointment of teachers to fill teaching posts is a matter for the individual ETB subject to provisions set out in Section 24 of the Education Act 1998 (as amended).

Student Grant Scheme Eligibility

Questions (262)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

262. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason when upskilling from dental nursing to dental hygienist, students are not eligible for a grant even though dental hygienist is level 7 while most of the nursing courses are level 6 and therefore most students are going up a level; if the fact that dental hygienists are solely responsible for the procedures carried out on their patients should not be reflected in their application for grants as significant upskilling from that of a dental nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29527/14]

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Written answers

Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, progression and means.

To satisfy the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.

The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. Given the level of demand on the student grant budget from first time students and students that are progressing with their studies to a higher level, there are no plans at present to change the arrangements in place.

A student holding a Level 6 award, where this is the highest qualification attained, would be deemed to satisfy the progression requirement on entering a Level 7 programme. In regard to the Dental Nursing courses the award for successful completion of these programmes is, generally, at Level 7. A student holding a Level 7 award entering the Dental Hygienist Level 7 programme would not be deemed to satisfy the progression requirement of the Student Grant Scheme.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (263)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

263. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a full-time special needs assistant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29529/14]

View answer

Written answers

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating a quantum of Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support for each school annually taking into account the assessed care needs of children qualifying for SNA support. Where children have significant care needs whereby they may need additional support to be able to attend school, the NCSE may make an allocation of SNA support to the school to assist that child.

The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The criteria by which SNA support is allocated to pupils is set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014.

The deployment of SNAs within schools is then a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated. It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The NCSE have announced that in September there will be over 10,900 Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts in schools to support students with special needs for the 2014/2015 school year. The exact numbers of SNAs will become clear when enrolments of students in mainstream schools are finalised in September.

A school by school breakdown of SNA allocations for the 2014/15 school year is available at www.ncse.ie.

All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.

Departmental Funding

Questions (264)

John McGuinness

Question:

264. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork for each year since the commencement of the project; if his Department obtains a comprehensive financial report each year from the organisation; if the assets are listed in the name of his Department or the orgainsation; if the funding granted by her Department is allocated thereafter on the basis of set guidelines; if his Department is satisfied that these guidelines are being observed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29543/14]

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Written answers

The funding provided by my Department to Right of Place from 2001 to 2013, when my Department ceased funding survivor groups, is as follows:

2001 - €269,971.71

2002 - €149,423

2003 - €135,381

2004 - €124,783

2005 - €127,904

2006 - €52,690

2007 - €89,280

2008 - €87,998

2009 - €75,944.76

2010 - €44,616.54

2011 - €22,115.95

2012 - €18,795.81

2013 - €12,333.58

Total €1,211,237.35

This funding, which was channelled through City of Cork VEC, includes the cost of a co-ordinator engaged by the VEC on behalf of my Department, who monitored the expenditure of these funds. Expenditure receipts were provided to the co-ordinator along with the annual accounts of the organisation and details of the receipts and copies of the annual accounts were provided to the Department. This organisation receives the majority of its funding from the Health Service Executive and as advocated by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his Special Report No 74, my Department liaised with the HSE to ensure a co-ordinated approach to its funding and that no duplication of funding arose. My Department's funding was solely for the provision of an information and referral service to survivors following an assessment of activities. It had no function in the operation of the Right of Place Building Project Limited or any other property/accommodation services managed by the organisation.

Education and Training Boards

Questions (265)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a reply will issue in respect of correspondence sent to him regarding an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if a solution can be reached to stop the withdrawal of the adult literacy service from that organisation. [29552/14]

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Written answers

The matter referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB).

I understand from CDETB that they are re-organising their literacy service in this area but that there will be no reduction in the level of provision available to learners. The extent of the literacy service to be provided and the organisation of classes in any centre is a matter for the ETB.

Student Grant Scheme Appeals

Questions (266)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in respect of appeal for higher education grant in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29568/14]

View answer

Written answers

Officials in my Department have confirmed that the student referred to by the Deputy has appealed the decision of the awarding authority to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board. A P45 had been requested in respect of the student's mother as she has had a change in circumstances in relation to her income. It is understood that a P45 is not available at this time and alternative documentation has been provided to the Board.

The appeal was received by the Board on 25th June 2014 and will be heard within the timeframe set out in the Student Support Act 2011. The student will be notified directly of the outcome of the appeal.

Departmental Funding

Questions (267)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

267. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding his Department provides for library services for persons with a visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29574/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to the National Braille Production Centre (NBPC) which provides access to educational materials by transcriptions through a range of formats, accessible for children with a visual impairment.

The service facilitates the supply of textbooks in Braille, Large Print and Audio format for blind pupils and visually impaired pupils in primary and post-primary schools throughout the state. An online textbook service is also provided.

As well as transcribing educational material for pupils in accordance with their educational needs, the NBPC designs and produces tactile maps and special books for multi-disabled visually impaired pre-school children to encourage sensory stimulation.

In recent years the NBPC has expanded its use of new computerised technologies such as the DAISY, or Digital Accessible Information System, as well as developing an Online Bookshelf, an online download facility for braille and secure DAISY files. This facility allows a child with a visual impairment to independently download the secure file of a book required in a particular accessible format.

My Department will provide funding of €1.28m to the NBPC this year.

Ministerial Advisers Remuneration

Questions (268)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

268. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide the name, position and annual salary awarded to each of his special advisers; and if he will provide details of any request made for an increase above the special adviser pay cap set by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and, if so, the amount of the increase sought. [29601/14]

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Written answers

The following tabular statement gives details of the special advisers I appointed since I was made Minister for Education & Skills on 9th March 2011 under the terms of the revised conditions for Ministerial Appointments as published by the Department of Finance on 24th March 2011.

In relation to the appointees made in 2011 officials at my Department wrote to the Department of Finance and requested sanction to place them on a point on the pay scale for the position, proximate to their current earnings at the time of appointment.

In accordance with the terms of the Ethics in Public Office Acts, copies of the appointees' contracts of employment were laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The following tabular statement give details of appointees to the position of Special Adviser to Mr. Ruairí Quinn, T.D., Minister for Education & Skills.

APPOINTEE

PERIOD

SALARY

John Walshe

04/04/2011 to 28/01/2014

€87,248

Deirdre Grant

11/04/2011 to Present

€84,706

Neil Ward

29/01/2014 to Present

€75,647

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (269)

Derek Keating

Question:

269. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on progress made on the outstanding matter of school extensions for schools (details supplied) in County Dublin following the most recent meeting between him and his officials with both school principals; the progress that has been made in progressing these two schools to Stage 2B; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29670/14]

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Written answers

The major building project for the schools referred to by the Deputy has been authorised to complete stage 2(a) of architectural planning. Upon receipt of the final Stage 2(a) report from the Boards of Management and their Design Team and subject to no further issues arising the project will be progressed to Stage 2(b) which includes applications for Planning Permission, Fire Safety Certification, Disability Access Certification and the preparation of tender documents.

Due to the withdrawal of the Consultant Civil and Structural Engineer from this project in May, the appointment of a replacement consultant is under way.

Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.

School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

Student Grant Scheme Administration

Questions (270)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

270. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Student Universal Support Ireland has recently added the additional requirement of providing a copy of a passport with the multitude of other documentation provided by applicants including a PPS number, thereby adding an additional cost to parents. [29682/14]

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Written answers

Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The awarding authorities are obliged to satisfy themselves beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof has been submitted by the grant applicant in establishing eligibility under all aspects of the schemes. The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the relevant grant awarding authority.

The requirement to provide a passport to prove nationality is not a new requirement of SUSI, and has always been in place where the nationality of an applicant requires clarification.

Schools Building Projects Status

Questions (271)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

271. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be officially approved for its new school building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29701/14]

View answer

Written answers

The project referred to is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The Board of Management and their Design Team have submitted a report to the Department in advance of the Stage 2A Stakeholders meeting. Following this meeting and subject to no issues arising the project will then be authorised to proceed to Stage 2B, which includes the application for statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents.

Due to competing demands on the Department's capital budget imposed by the need to prioritise the limited funding available for the provision of additional school accommodation to meet increasing demographic requirements it was not possible to include this project in the 5 year construction programme announced in March 2012.

School building projects, including the project referred to by the Deputy, which have been initiated but not included in the current five year construction programme will continue to be progressed to final planning stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being available to the Department in the future.

Schools Site Acquisitions

Questions (272)

Tom Barry

Question:

272. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills following recent announcements in local media, if a new site has been selected for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will confirm that the school board has been consulted in relation to the selection process regarding a new site for their school. [29723/14]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has been working in conjunction with Cork County Council towards securing a permanent site to meet the needs of the school referred to by the Deputy.

I can confirm that potential options have been identified and my Department is progressing the preferred option at present. However the acquisition of the preferred site option is subject to the completion of a process which is currently ongoing.

The Board of Management will be informed when the site acquisition process has been concluded.

Fee Paying Schools

Questions (273, 290)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

273. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of the fee paying schools annual State subsidy during each of the past five years. [29725/14]

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Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

290. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the annual saving to the Exchequer if current State subsidies to private schools were withdrawn; and if he will provide a single figure and not a list of schools with accompanying figures. [29792/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 290 together.

The information regarding teaching resources and capital expenditure to fee charging schools requested by the deputy is contained in the following tables. Data on Special Needs Assistants and Clerical staff will be forwarded directly to him.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PAID FEE CHARGING SCHOOLS January - December 2008-2013

(to 13th Dec 2013)

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

€4,004,291.19

€4,894,642.88

€2,802,375.68

€3,179,270.00

€3,333,362.91

€2,239,517.72

FEE PAYING SCHOOLS GROSS SALARY COSTS 2008-2013 SCHOOL YEAR (September to August)

Teachers Gross

YEAR

SALARY COSTS

2008/09

€109,537,519.00

2009/10

€107,861,306.00

2010/11

€105,184,701.00

2011/12

€98,909,927.00

2012/13

€96,981,176.20

School Equipment

Questions (274)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

274. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools using iPads and other tablet equipment rather than hard copy books. [29726/14]

View answer

Written answers

Since the introduction of tablet devices in schools is an operational matter for the Board of Management of each school, I am not in a position to provide the number of schools that have done so. I believe it is important that where new technology, is being adopted by schools, parents should be consulted prior to the decision being made and that the costs implications are fully considered by the Boards of Managements. The Professional Development Service for Teachers (Technology in Education) are available to advise schools on the use of technology in the classroom.

Special Educational Needs Staffing

Questions (275)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

275. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children attending resource teachers during each of the past five years; and the number of resource teachers employed during each of those years. [29727/14]

View answer

Written answers

There is detailed historical information contained in the Statistics Section of my Department's website relating to the number of teaching posts in schools and pupils with special needs in mainstream schools. The most recent published information relates to the 2013/2014 school year.

The NCSE has notified all schools of their first round of allocation of resource hours for low incidence special needs for the coming school year and has published this information on its website. The arrangements for how schools access these resource hours in teaching posts are set out in the published staffing arrangements for schools available on the Department website.

School Textbooks

Questions (276)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

276. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the projected cost of the school book rental scheme for the next two years; the number of schools it will cover; and the number of schools that will remain outside of the scheme. [29731/14]

View answer

Written answers

In Budget 2014 funding of €5 million for three years was provided for to support the establishment of book rental schemes in primary schools that did not operate such schemes. 533 schools indicated that they did not operate book rental schemes.

Of these, 431 have undertaken to establish book rental schemes. DEIS schools will receive €150 per child and non-DEIS schools will receive €100 per child in seed capital over the next two years, to establish book rental schemes. This will cost approximately €6.7million of the €15 million secured over the three year period 2014 to 2016.

For primary schools who already had book rental schemes in place the Minister re-examined the scheme to see if such schools could also be allocated funding. The balance of €8.3 million will be divided in 2015 and 2016 among primary schools that currently operate book rental schemes. These schools are expected to receive €20 per child in DEIS schools and €18 per child in non-DEIS schools over those two years.

Every primary school has now been given the opportunity to benefit from the funding secured for the School Book Rental Scheme.

The existing €15million already provided in book grants to all primary and post-primary in the Free Education Scheme will continue to be paid in 2014.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (277)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

277. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the capital expenditure dedicated to first and second level schools, third level, FÁS and training and others, set out in tabular form, for this budget year. [29732/14]

View answer

Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.

SUBHEAD

SUBHEAD

ALLOCATION (€m)

A.5

Admin Budget

1.5

A.13

Special Memorial (Abuse)

0.5

A.14.1

ICT (Schools)

0.5

A.14.3

Educational Disadvantage

0.5

B.3

SOLAS

2.5

D.3

Schools

470

D.4

Higher Education

34.8

D.5

PPPs

31

-

Book Rental Scheme

5

-

TOTAL

546.3

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (278)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

278. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his Department’s IT expenditure during each of the past five years. [29733/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department's expenditure on IT, over the past five years, is as follows:

YEAR

EXPENDITURE

2009

€3,548,375

2010

€3,117,070

2011

€4,004,246

2012

€4,062,253

2013

€4,825,914

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