Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I take it from the Minister's answer that the €22 million potential cost will not have to come from the education budget and that he is in discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to see if it can be found elsewhere. I hope that is the case as we are looking at another €44 million having to come from the education budget this year. It is impossible to say that we can take €44 million, never mind €66 million, from the budget this year on top of what was taken last year and what is proposed to be taken out next year without affecting front-line services. That is not possible.

With regard to how the Cabinet reaches these decisions, every Department is being given a reduced budget and the Minister in question is told to find the savings. That is not the approach that should be taken and other EU governments take a very collective decision, particularly when it comes to education, where ring-fencing can apply. That means other Departments would have to achieve additional savings but the other countries reap the benefits of prioritising education for generations to come. I do not understand why this Government and the Cabinet operate with a silo mentality, with every Department given a reduced budget. There seems to be little collective thinking and it is not the way to proceed, particularly with education.

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