Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 4

Written Answers. - Vocational Education Committees' Funds.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

21 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education her views on the analysis of non-capital funds allocated to vocational education committees, as outlined in her reply to Parliamentary Question No. 371 on Wednesday, 30 January 1991, which showed that Drogheda Vocational Education Committee receives £213 per second level pupil less than Dublin City Vocational Education Committee; the rationale for such apparent discrepancies in funding; and whether she proposes to introduce a rational system for funding for vocational education committees which would include amongst other criteria, the number of pupils in the scheme.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

In allocating non-capital funds to vocational education committees, consideration is given to the range of programmes and services being delivered, the number of schools and pupils, the staffing levels and the income generating ability of each committee.

A direct cost comparison cannot be made, therefore, between the two committees referred to in the light of differences in the range of programmes provided.

My Department are at present in consultation with the vocational education committees with a view to introducing revised accounting, reporting and budgetary arrangements for the vocational education committee schemes. The results of a unit cost study of second-level education which is currently underway will provide an important impact to the new arrangements.

Pending completion of the study and necessary consultation it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the form the new budgetary arrangements will take.