Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the cost involved in respect of the revised programme for Government as it relates to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37326/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The revised programme for Government provides for a number of specific measures in the education sector, including a commitment to no further increase in the pupil-teacher ratio for the lifetime of the Government; 500 teaching posts over the next three years; funding for 28 additional psychologist posts; standard capitation grants to schools being maintained and an extra allocation being made available to schools for needs such as book rental schemes and curricular activities.

The commitment to maintain the standard capitation grants to schools will not give rise to additional costs except in so far as it relates to increases in the schoolgoing population, the costing of which would form part of the annual Estimates and budgetary process. While the precise costs of the additional teaching posts cannot be determined until the actual appointments are made it is anticipated that every teacher appointed will give rise to an initial annual pay cost of approximately €46,000 on appointment rising to an average of €64,000 over time.

Assuming 200 extra teachers from the beginning of next year and a further 150 teachers next September, the extra pay costs next year will be in the order of €11 million, and the ongoing full year pay cost when all 500 teachers are employed at average salary will be in the order of €32 million. The funding of the additional 28 psychologist posts is expected to give rise to an additional full year cost of approximately €2.3 million. The exact level of additional funding for schools for the consolidated grants will be considered in the context of the Estimates and budgetary process.

The revised programme also provides for other measures which have the potential to give rise to additional costs for the education sector. These include delivery of 100MBs broadband for all second level schools by 2012 and roll out of new digital access devices for teachers and students. In addition it provides for the development of a costed multi-annual plan to implement some priority aspects of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, focusing on measurable, practical progress in education and health services for children with special needs.

It is not possible, however, to give an exact costing on these issues at this early stage until the implementation arrangements are worked out. As the Deputy is aware the revised programme for Government is for delivery over the period to 2012.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I find it astonishing that the Minister cannot conclusively inform the House of the total cost of the revised programme for Government for his Department given that the alleged parties to the deal had such a long time to negotiate it.

Will the Minister give a specific answer to the following question? In the 24 hours following the publication of the revised programme for Government, three Cabinet Ministers refused to give an absolute guarantee to the public that college registration fees, which were massively increased last year from €900 to €1,500, would not undergo such a hike again this year. Will the Minister now give a categorical assurance in this House that he does not intend to increase college registration fees in the upcoming budget?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The first thing is that we must understand to what the registration fee refers. It refers to the services delivered by the universities and institutes of education to students. The Government decided last year that the universities and institutes could charge up to €1,500 per student on the basis that they were delivering that level of service. Until then it was felt that the full cost of services was not being borne by the student. In those circumstances, a ceiling was set and the universities and institutes, liaising with the Higher Education Authority and ourselves, gave a clear outline of the services they were rendering. It is, therefore, a matter for the Higher Education Authority and sector and the Department of Education and Science to determine what level of service exists. If a level of service beyond €1,500 is not being delivered by the higher level institutions, we cannot increase the registration charge.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Can I take it from what the Minister has said that there will not be an increase in college registration fees?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy asked me-----

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy should conclude his question.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I asked a question and the Minister failed to answer it. He gave a very interesting Second Stage type speech on college registration fees, but he did not answer my question. I will try putting the question again. Will the Minister give the House a categorical assurance, "Yes" or "No", that he will not increase college registration fees in the context of the upcoming budget? Will the Minister confirm for the House whether the universities and institutes of technology have sought an increase in college registration fees in the run-up to the budget?

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I needed, first, to outline for the Deputy what the registration fee was about because, judging from the numerous statements and press releases the Deputy issues from time to time, he seems not to understand its purpose.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I know exactly what it is about.

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware that third level institutes or universities have, up to now, requested an increase in the registration fee. However, all these issues are budgetary matters that will be determined by Government when dealing with the Estimates.