Committee of Public Accounts to examine 2022 Appropriation Accounts with Department of Education

The meeting at 9.30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be joined by the Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Seamus McCarthy, and officials from the Department led by the Secretary-General and Accountable Person to the Committee, Ms Bernie McNally.

During the afternoon session, beginning at 1.30pm, the Committee will consider correspondence and other business of the Committee.

PAC Cathaoirleach Deputy Brian Stanley said: “The Department of Education’s role is to facilitate children and young people, through learning, to achieve their full potential and contribute to Ireland’s social, cultural, and economic development.

“The Department is responsible for the education of approximately 952,000 students in more than 4,000 schools with around 96,000 teaching, support and administrative staff. Gross expenditure in 2022 was €10.2 billion, up from €9.3 billion in 2021.

“Key issues the Committee wishes to examine include running costs and demand management for schools, school building programmes, school transport, the disposal of assets of religious orders and Caranua, and expenditure in relation to special education.

“Other areas of interest include the provision of high-quality education, planning for State examinations, the Delivering Equality of Opportunity In Schools (DEIS) supports programme, and investment in digital infrastructure to support students.

“The Committee looks forward to examining the 2022 accounts for education and related matters with Ms McNally and her colleagues.”

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

PAC is a standing committee of Dáil Éireann which focuses on ensuring public services are run efficiently and achieve value for money. Further information on the role and remit of the Committee can be found here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.