Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Unfortunately, when one is faced with the current economic situation and financial pressures, and given that the budget of my Department is €19.5 billion, we are under pressure to find money to protect the people who will lose their jobs and their families. The money had to be found somewhere. We looked at the figures and realised that the Deputy is incorrect. The vast majority of students are under 18 years when they sit the leaving certificate——

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