asked the Minister for Education the differences in the 1988 and 1989 Estimates in her Department which arise from the concessions made in the (a) primary and (b) post-primary pupil-teacher ratio disputes from those issued in January 1988; and if the savings are reduced, the source of the additional money.
Written Answers. - Pupil-Teacher Ratios.
43.
It is estimated that the savings accruing from changes in pupil-teacher ratios would, as a result of concessions made or offered in the course of discussions which took place under the auspices of the Central Review Committee set up under the Programme for National Recovery, be less than originally estimated: (a) by £3.7 million in 1988 and £10.8 million in 1989, at primary level; and (b) by £1.3 million in 1988 and £4 million in 1989 at post-primary level.
The pupil-teacher ratio is only one of a large number of variable factors which will affect Exchequer expenditure on the education services in 1988 and 1989. All these variables will be taken into account in the continuous monitoring taking place of the projected outturn for 1988 and in preparing the Estimates for 1989 and appropriate decisions will be taken in the light of all the factors involved and their net effect on expenditure.