Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Public Accounts Committee

2018 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
2019 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General and Appropriation Accounts
Vote 26 - Department of Education and Skills

4:30 pm

Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

The spend has increased and has just returned to the level it was at ten years ago. There has been a very large increase in the numbers at primary and secondary level. The number of students in primary education has now peaked, but there are still increases in particular areas. When we are providing for additional accommodation for schools, if rental accommodation is likely to be needed for more than three years we give the school a devolved grant. We see rental accommodation as an interim solution while we are moving towards long-term solutions. Perhaps Mr. Loftus would like to add a little bit more.