Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016
26. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he will respond to the various requests received from primary, secondary and third level educational interests wherein the various bodies prioritised their respective needs; his plans for the future in respect of the educational sector in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28390/16]
View answerSince I took office, I have made clear that my priorities as Minister will be to ensure that we do everything we can to improve outcomes for the learners who depend on our education and training system, to break the cycles of disadvantage, to support out teachers and institutions to continually improve, to build better links between education and the broader community including the enterprise sector and to improve our systems to deliver on this ambitious agenda.
These priorities are reflected in the Action Plan for Education, published earlier this month. The development of this Action Plan and Statement of Strategy included an extensive consultation process with education partners and stakeholders.
As signalled by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, there will be a limited amount of additional funding available for new budgetary measures next year, amid a range of competing demands within and across Departments.
With limited room for manoeuvre I, like all Ministers, will have to take a targeted and balanced approach to directing any additional investment, with the objective of progressively delivering on the goals set out in the Action Plan.
As part of this process, I had a productive engagement last week with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills to hear their expenditure priorities.
I am in currently in ongoing discussions with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding expenditure proposals for next year, which will be announced next week as part of Budget 2017.
