Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 372: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will commit to maintaining the three education centres that accommodate all of the Gaeltacht schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32169/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department gives support and funding to a network of twenty one full time and nine part time centres and the three centres mentioned by the Deputy operate on a part time basis.

As the Deputy is aware the recently published "Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes" recommended a specific number of options for reducing current spending in my Department. Among these options was a recommendation that there should be a reduction in the allocation for teacher training and funding for Education Centres which also included the closure of part time centres along with amalgamations of full time centres.

The Deputy will appreciate that these recommendations are currently under consideration.