To ask the Minister for Education and Science the funding provided to the vocational educational committees for 2009 versus 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Reply : Minister Batt O'Keeffe

This Government's continued prioritisation of education over the last 11 years is evidenced from our investment in 2009 of €9.6 billion – over treble what it was in 1997.

The increase of €302m in the Education budget for 2009 is therefore a real achievement in the current economic climate. Education is one of only three Government Departments to have increased funding in 2009. The provision for funding to Vocational Educational Committees for 2009  shows  an increase of more than 5% over the 2008 level.  Funding to VECs for 2008  totalled €887.5m and this will rise to €936m in 2009.

VECs are given a high level of autonomy in the management and appropriation of  their budgets.  This allows each VEC to distribute its allocations in line with their priorities and perceptions of need.

The provision that I have made, in the context of the 2009 estimates, for this significant increase in the funding of VECs is a clear demonstration of my commitment to  prioritise available resources in order to best address the needs of learners availing of services provided through the network of VECs.