Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Apologies have been received from Deputy Sorca Clarke. I remind members and officials to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting.

We are here today for the purpose of dealing with the Estimates. This meeting has been convened to revise the Estimate for Vote 26 – Education, which was referred to the committee by Dáil Éireann. I welcome the Minister for Education, Deputy Norma Foley, and her officials. I also thank them for the briefing documents they provided.

Before I invite the Minister to make her opening statement, I propose that Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan take the Chair for me for about 15 minutes. Is that agreed? Agreed.

I ask the Minister for her opening statement. Members can ask general questions after that, with the first member being Deputy Jim O’Callaghan.