Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The expenditure of €260 million annually cannot be regarded as lip service. Deputies will be aware of the very stringent financial parameters within which we are operating. I accept the Deputy's point that the Donegal report is a most valuable piece of evidence and it feeds into the review under way in my Department. The issue of early childhood education will be a priority not only for my Department but for the whole Government as part of its programme for the remainder of its term. Deputy Troy has agreed with me that quality is important, that progress has been made over the years on infrastructure and that we need to examine standards and personnel in the provision of education to ensure a minimum standard across the board. We must provide access to high-quality universal education that is particularly geared towards those on low incomes and is most affordable to those who engage in the process.

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