Written answers

Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Department of Education and Science

Departmental Expenditure

10:00 am

Photo of John McGuinnessJohn McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 594: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the elements of the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes that have been implemented to date by her Department; her plans to implement any aspects of the plan in the future; if the overall plan has been assessed by her Department; and if so, her views on the benefits of the plans. [28112/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The recommendations made in the report of the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programmes were assessed and considered by my Department in the context of determining the expenditure allocation for the Department for 2010, which was announced in budget 2010. The recommendations incorporated in budget 2010, together with estimated savings yields for 2010 where relevant, are set out in the following table.

The recommendations made by the special group will be further considered and will assist in the context of agreeing the expenditure allocation for my Department for 2011 and future years.

Department of Education and Skills
Implementation of recommendations of report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure ProgrammesComment regarding allocation for 20102010 Saving €m
Staffing efficiencies in the primary/post-primary sectorsSavings from cessation of supply teacher scheme at primary level and changes to uncertified sick leave for teachers.1.4
Reduction in the number of Special Needs AssistantsIt is not possible at this stage to quantify the amount of any savings in this area until conclusion of the nationwide review of SNA posts being undertaken by the National Council for Special Education. No change has been made to the current criteria for assignment of SNAs.
Integration of Senior Traveller TrainingReduction of 300 in number of Senior Traveller Training places1.0
Staffing efficiencies across third level sectorSavings estimated in respect of pay and non-pay efficiencies50.0
Merge Higher Education Authority (HEA) into the Department of Education and ScienceNo merger but HEA allocation reduced0.8
Reduction in the allocation for teacher training collegesSavings estimated in relation to pre-service teacher education3.0
Reduction in the allocation for Research and DevelopmentPartial reduction4.0
Reduction in the allocation to the Strategic Innovation FundPartial reduction8.0
Reduction in the allocation to Student Support Grant5% reduction in rates of student grants and scholarships applied, providing €10m in savings. Further €4m in savings effected by removal of eligibility for student support grants from recipients of Back to Education Allowance and certain persons pursuing PLC courses. (Note - overall allocation for student supports for 2010 was increased to take account of an anticipated increase in the number of eligible students at third level).14.0
Reduce allocation to school transportPartial reduction4.0
Reduce allocation for teacher training & funding for education centresSavings and efficiencies effected in relation to teacher in-service education support10.4
Absorb National Council for Special Education (NCSE) into the Department of Education and ScienceNCSE not absorbed but allocation reduced2.3
Reduce allocation to certain Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) ProjectsFunding for 2010 reduced1.2
Reduction in allocation for National Council for Curriculum and AssessmentFunding for 2010 reduced0.9
Discontinue National University of Ireland and transfer functionsBill to establish a new qualifications and quality assurance agency for the further and higher education sectors is being prepared. The NUI will be discontinued as part of this process.

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