Written answers

Tuesday, 4 November 2008

Department of Education and Science

Departmental Funding

10:00 pm

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason the education budget has not been increased in budget 2009, particularly when the OECD's Education at a Glance 2008 has shown that education spending decreased by 0.5% of GDP in the period 1995 to 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38005/08]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's allocation of € 9.6 billion in fact represents an increase of over €300m, or a 3% increase on 2008. This amount represents 5.1% of the forecasted GDP for 2009, an increase of 0.5% on the 2007 position.

It should be noted Education and Science was one of only three Government Departments to have increased funding for 2009 which reflects the Government's continued prioritisation of education. The 2009 Education allocation of €9.6 billion is over treble what it was in 1997. We are committed to investing in education but we have to invest at a level that is consistent with what we can afford and what is sustainable at the moment given the economic circumstances.

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