Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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If there are no other questions on third level education, I might move to the NTF estimate of income and expenditure. I also want to ask about the national children's hospital. This will be the only Department for which a Supplementary Estimate is not required so it is only fair to ask the Minister about that transaction at this meeting. Employers were asked to contribute to the NTF at an increased rate last year, this year and next year.

The surplus is projected to increase from €143.5 million to €258 million. Can the Minister explain to employers the reason that a significant amount of money, which they are contributing, is not being spent and is being carried forward into what is now a substantial balance on that account? In fact, there is so much money in the account, it is earning interest. However, the Department is paying substantially more in bank charges to keep the money in the bank. Employers are paying a significant amount of money while the Department is paying less but not all of it is being spent.

The national children's hospital is not part of this Estimate but this is the only committee that has not been given the opportunity to consider that issue. The Department is pre-paying €10 million. Under what contract is the Department paying that money to the Department of Health? What authority has the Department to pay €10 million to the Department of Health? Why is the Department of Education and Skills obliged to do that?