Over the past five years, there has been a spectacular increase in education provision, as the following figures will illustrate. Gross funding has almost doubled in the education sector – the actual increase is 87%. In the same period, capital expenditure has increased almost fourfold. Those are spectacular achievements by any yardstick and provide an irrefutable statement of the Government's commitment to the vital role of education in the development of our economy and the welfare of our people. The education landscape has been transformed over that period in all areas and at all levels. I realise that such facts are not very palatable for people who do not wish to hear them.