Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

We are dealing with ten applicant schools. In the current difficult financial position the priority is to maintain existing services, that is fair to say across the Department, rather than to expand. I do not have responsibility for the area in the Department; it was a decision made by the Minister in consultation with departmental officials. It was one that was necessary, however, given the difficult financial position we are in. Some schools have still expressed the desire to participate in the programme. There was an expectation because sanction had been automatic in previous years that it was just a question of applying.

See this speech in context