Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
91. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give an assurance that measures he may take in budget 2014 will not lead to any further increases in class sizes in view of the fact that classrooms here already contain 20% more than the EU average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42187/13]
View answer101. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the current pupil-teacher and average class ratios will not be subjected to further cuts in 2014. [41821/13]
View answer109. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address large school classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42150/13]
View answer125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he expects to be in a position to maintain preferable pupil-teacher ratios and special needs requirements throughout pre-school, primary and post-primary education, notwithstanding the difficult budgetary situation which he inherited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42151/13]
View answer236. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he and his Department are taking to impress on his Cabinet colleagues the unacceptability of any proposed increase in primary education class sizes and the negative impact such a decision would have on children of all competencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38768/13]
View answer249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he expects to be in a position to retain the best possible pupil-teacher ratios in all schools throughout the public and private sector, at primary and post-primary level, notwithstanding the budgetary conditions he inherited from his predecessors within which he is forced to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42447/13]
View answer268. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the increase in class sizes and the impact this has on the educational welfare of the children who are affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42528/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 101, 109, 125, 236, 249 and 268 together.
The context for any discussion about PTR or class sizes is that my Department, like all other Government Departments, is operating within a budgetary programme that is designed to return the Government finances to a sustainable basis. My focus is on ensuring we have school places and teachers for the thousands of additional pupils entering our schools each year. These are all matters that I will consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of next week's budget. The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country.
