Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that there are no further cuts to the schools/education budget and that all services are maintained and enhanced where possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33362/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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This Government has sought, against a very challenging economic backdrop, to protect education spending and maintain frontline education services as far as possible. While Budget 2013 required the implementation of some difficult savings measures across areas of the Education Vote, my Department is working to provide high levels of services through efficient and effective use of the resources that have been allocated.

However, levels of educational expenditure cannot be determined in a matter that ignores the economic reality. This reality means that restoring this country's economic fortunes and adhering to agreed targets for levels of general Government debt will require further consolidation in the years immediately ahead. My Department has a requirement to identify net savings of €44 million to meet the 2014 expenditure ceiling set for the Education Vote. In addition, it will be necessary to manage upward pressures on expenditure from within the set allocations. The precise formulation of the expenditure envelope for Education for 2014 will be determined by Government in the context of agreeing the forthcoming Budget.