Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2014
22. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to concerns of parents of children in fee-charging schools that further cuts to funding in their sector in budget 2015 will jeopardise teaching jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37966/14]
View answerI am conscious that the budget measures in recent years have impacted on all schools large and small, across all patronage types and whether or not they were precluded from charging fees or could charge them. The measures had a focus in particular in protecting as far as possible DEIS schools. I am not in a position to engage with the Deputy on what may or may not be in next week's budget announcements.
However I have already stated publicly that because of increasing demographics my Department requires additional resources to simply maintain existing levels of service.
I do not believe it will be possible in this budget to begin any reversal of the measures that were taken during the economic crisis.
In my pre-budget discussions with the education partners I expressed the hope that continued improvement in the economy will take us to a position where we can start to make improvements in some areas.
