Written answers

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Department of Education and Skills

Departmental Expenditure

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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52. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will respond to the findings contained in the education at a glance 2013 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development which shows the proportion of public expenditure on education in Ireland fell from 13.7% to 9.7% in the decade between 2000 and 2010; and if the failure of the Government to ringfence funding for education will prevent the building of a knowledge based economy. [32205/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Public expenditure on education in Ireland as a percentage of total public expenditure was relatively even over much of the first decade of this century, being 13.7% in 2000, 14% in 2005 and 13.4% in 2009. While the percentage spend reduced significantly to 9.7% in 2010 the main driver of this reduction was the very large increase in public expenditure recorded in 2010 over 2009 as a result of very significant capital transfers to Irish banks arising from the recapitalisation programme.

Alternatively, data for expenditure on education when expressed as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) reflects the continued importance placed on education and its role in building a knowledge based economy. Expenditure (public and private) on education was 4.2% of GDP in 2000, 4.7% in 2005 and 6.4% in 2010. This 2010 figure was slightly above average OECD expenditure of 6.3% of GDP and above the EU-21 average of 5.9% of GDP.

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