Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Before commencing, I ask all those present to put their mobile phones on airplane mode, flight mode or safe mode, or else to switch them off. The purpose of today's meeting is to consider the performance information included in the Estimates and the improvements that may be desirable in that regard and to undertake a mid-year review of the position as regards outputs and expenditure in relation to the Vote for the Department of Education and Skills for the year ending 31 December 2015. In addition, the intention is to brief the joint committee on the emerging position so as to permit it to participate in the 2016 Estimates discussions in advance of the allocations being finalised. I propose to deal with the issues in order during the meeting.

As is the case across a number of committees, I propose that after the meeting the joint committee may agree a report or recommendations on the outcome of our deliberations today and lay it before the Houses, if it so wishes. Three separate briefing documents from the committee secretariat have been circulated to members which explain the purpose and structure of the meeting, the issues arising and possible questions for members.

We will now have a discussion on Vote 26, Estimates for the Department of Education and Skills 2015 and the Department's briefing. I welcome the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sulllivan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, and their officials.

Before I invite the Minister to speak, I will read the note on privilege. I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

The opening statements submitted to the committee will be published on the committee's website after the meeting. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I have asked the Minister to focus on the part of her statement relating to performance and outputs at this stage and she has agreed to do that.