Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To be fair, I think there is a very strong element of transparency in the information that is provided. I note that when specific issues were raised, the Department clearly made additional information available this year. For example, as the committee will be aware, there have been several reforms in the overall budgetary framework in recent years to provide greater transparency, including whole-year engagement between Departments and Oireachtas committees like this one. The reforms have included, for example, the introduction of performance and equality budgeting. It has included mid-term expenditure reviews and reports. It has included independent scrutiny by the Parliamentary Budget Office, including PBO papers, the public service performance report and spending review papers. Considerable effort has been made to make the information more user-friendly and more transparent, not just for the benefit of the committees but for the benefit of all concerned.

Regarding reductions this year, at the end of 2020, moneys that were due to be expended in 2021 were made available to schools to spend at the end of 2020. This included additional minor works grants and the digital access grants. Some €50 million that was due to be spent later in 2021 was made available at the end of 2020. That accounts for any discrepancy. There is no reduction; it is just that the money was given towards the end of 2020 to allow schools make the necessary provision for any building works that needed to be carried out or make improvements to digital access. For example, many schools chose to purchase equipment and provide it to children who were in need of it. The work on the purchase of platforms had previously been done. The decision was taken to bring money from 2021 into 2020 to afford schools the opportunity to better manage the needs of the schools, particularly in the atmosphere that pertained during the Covid pandemic.