Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 14 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

117 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education the amount of reduction in public spending in her Department as a result of the Government decision announced by the Minister for Finance on 8 June 1995; the number of new posts established since that date in her Department and in agencies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16800/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

There is no reduction in the 1995 Education budget as provided in the Estimates for 1995. The Government reviewed its financial targets in June 1995 and decided that in order to meet its overall budgetary targets it was necessary to control public sector employment. In this context it was agreed that the expansion in posts for the 1995-96 school year should be carefully monitored and controlled. This means that the rate of expansion of certain services has to be adjusted. No new posts have been established in the Department of Education since 8 June 1995.

New posts in the education sector, including the agencies under the aegis of my Department, have been provisionally allocated in 1995 on a sectoral basis as follows: first level education — 315; second level education — 576; third level education — 255.

The 1996 budgetary requirements for my Department are currently being discussed with the Department of Finance within the parameters of the Department's overall budgetary strategy. I will not be in a position to make a definitive statement on the matter until the Government approves the 1996 Estimates.