Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on OECD figures that indicate investment in education here as a percentage of national wealth is at the bottom end of the league table for wealthy countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26593/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Government has significantly increased investment in education and training. My Department's gross expenditure allocation in 2019 will be nearly €10.8 billion, the highest amount ever allocated to education and training. Since 2016, the Department's allocation has increased by around €1.7 billion, an increase of some 18.7%.

It is also important to note that GDP, which is usually used as the measure of national wealth in international comparisons, can give a misleading picture of Ireland's relative position compared to other States, given that globalisation effects disproportionately impact the measurement of the size of the Irish economy.