Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I was just about to write a few notes on the Bill. I have been asked to speak on behalf of my colleague, Senator Alex White. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh.

I wish to make a number of brief points on the Bill. First, I wish to discuss the education spend. We have heard much in recent times about the fact that X amount of money has not been spent by the Department of Education and Science. Certain interpretations can be projected, a nicer way of saying "spun", in ways that suit either the Government or the Opposition. Perhaps there are good reasons for this, but I would like the Minister of State to explain the underspend in a Department as significant as the Department of Education and Science. Significant issues arose in the past year or so in education. There are many hot issues, for example, the possible reintroduction of third level fees, the manner in which universities are funded and the Student Support Bill.

An ongoing issue needs to be addressed urgently, namely, the manner in which the Department is renting prefabricated buildings and sites for schools. In some cases it is renting brand new buildings that will never be used as schools. I often question the economics behind such a decision. I have raised consistently with the Minister a number of projects, not least Gaelscoil Chloch na Coillte in west Cork where the Department was renting prefabricated units and also a site. My argument is that in terms of the economics, surely it would be wiser and more provident to identify a site and build a school on it. I accept that would cost more money initially but in the longer term surely it would be a better investment than just spending dead money in the sense that the Department will never own the prefabricated buildings or sites. In that context, how can it happen that late in the year we discover that a significant portion of a budget is unspent? If there is a good reason for this? If so, I am interested in hearing it. I would be pleased if the Minister of State could shed some light on the issue.

One tends to read banner headlines to the effect that X amount was not spent, but the question is why the money was not spent. What guidance or directives are issued to Ministers on spending? I could identify a number of projects that would eat into that budget. In effect, it could be spent in my area.