Minister attempts to dampen expectations on education spend

HOPES of significant increases in Government spending on education could be dashed in next month’s budget, judging by comments from Education Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday.

She indicated in the Seanad that commitments in the Programme for Government, the National Development Plan and the social partnership agreement, all depend on the budgetary situation.

She said that, rather than introducing new initiatives for schools and colleges, priority would be given to accommodating the growing numbers of children entering the education system and maintaining current service levels.