Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

No, that is departmental expenditure. The figure for the NCCA is separate but only a portion of it relates to time allocated to the junior cycle reform. If Senator O'Donnell wishes to return to the issue in future, we will try to break down the figures further.

I will return to questions asked by other members. I agree with Senator Moran that the 30 September deadline is an issue for schools. There are dates and times when one has to reach certain numbers due to pupil-teacher ratios. The rationale behind the 30 September date is based on the notion that if a school expects to get more children in over the summer then it can make a case. I do not know whether I can relax the regime. The date is firmly set at this stage, but I will examine the system and revert to the Senator. There is always a reluctance to change any of those figures because then it becomes unfair on someone else, elsewhere in the system.