Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister and Ministers of State. We will begin with the 2022 Revised Estimates for Education - Vote 26. Later, we will have the Revised Estimates for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - Vote 45.

I have no apologies received. I remind members and officials to ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment, even when on silent remotely. The meeting has been convened to consider the Revised Estimates for Vote 26, Education, and for Vote 45, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, which were referred to this committee by Dáil Éireann. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of Leinster House if they choose to participate and speak at the meetings. I will not permit a member to participate if he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting.

I welcome the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, the Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Madigan, and their officials. I thank them for the briefing documents which were provided to the meeting. I ask the Minister to make her opening statement. Members can ask general questions on Vote 26. Members will have a slot of four minutes each and I ask that the Minister reply within the four minutes of each slot.

As the Minister, Deputy Foley, has another important engagement after this meeting, I will see if we can have her out by 2.30 p.m.