31 March 2006
Schools and dental services are to be the prime beneficiaries of the extra £45m granted to the Welsh Assembly government in Chancellor Gordon Brown's budget.
The Assembly will receive £17m in 2006/07 and a further £28m in 2007/08, on top of its annual £14bn budget.
Finance Minister Sue Essex announced that £13m would go to help under-achieving pupils, and £2.6m would be allocated to increase provision of NHS dentists, a serious problem in Wales.
Essex said: 'A key priority for the Assembly government is to ensure that all children have the best possible start in life. We recognise that high-quality education provision is vital.'
PFmar2006