Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the missing millions in the education capital budget. Last year, there was a projected education capital budget of €941 million. This year, following discussions with the Tánaiste's colleagues, we expected a small increase on that to €942 million. However, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, was not able to deliver on the budget, and in his discussions with the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, it was reduced to €922 million. What happened between both Ministers? This is coming at a time the number of permanent school places provided by the Department are reducing, an overspend on sites has been highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the cost per sq. m of schools has increased dramatically. New projects in further education are being cancelled throughout the country, including Dunboyne college of further education in my constituency. Lismullen national school has also been waiting a long time. Given these circumstances, why was the education capital budget cut by the Government at the last minute?

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