Written Answers Nos. 79-98
79. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the number of Ministers of State attached to his Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by him and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; and the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred. [40806/17]
View answerOn 14 June 2017 the Government appointed Deputy Joe McHugh as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht with special responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, and Deputy Paul Kehoe as Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence with special responsibility for Defence.
On 20 June the Government appointed Deputy Pat Breen as Minister of State at my Department and at the Departments of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and Justice and Equality with special responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, the EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Deputy Helen McEntee as Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European Affairs.
At my request, on 5 July, the Government made an Order delegating my statutory functions in relation to the Central Statistics Office under the Statistics Act 1993, the Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 2005 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 to the Government Chief Whip, Deputy McHugh.
80. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach the timeframe for the publication of the interim report into the Commission of Investigation on the National Asset Management Agency, under section 38(1) of the Commission of Investigation Act 2004. [40852/17]
View answerAs required by its terms of reference, the Commission provided me with an interim report on 12 September i.e. within three months of the date of its establishment on 13 June. The report was published on my Department’s website on 21 September, following consultation with the Attorney General and the Sole Member of the Commission.
81. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Ministers of State attached to her Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by her and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40792/17]
View answerOn 20 June, the Taoiseach appointed Mr. John Halligan T.D. and Mr. Pat Breen T.D. as Ministers of State with responsibility for policy areas under the remit of my Department.
On 26 July, the Government made orders for the delegation of Ministerial functions to Ministers Halligan and Breen at my request.
Minister Halligan has been delegated responsibility for Innovation, Research and Development (IRD), and will oversee implementation of the Government's national strategy in this area, Innovation 2020. He has been given responsibility for the delivery of IRD programmes across the agencies of my Department and the development of a successor to the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. He has also been delegated responsibility for sectoral research initiatives that my Department is involved in, Ireland's engagement with the EU's Framework Programme for Innovation and Research, Horizon 2020, and maintaining an Intellectual Property framework aimed at promoting and rewarding creativity, supporting innovative activity and improving the business environment.
Minister Breen has been assigned responsibility for Industrial Relations legislation, the industrial relations machinery of the State and for ensuring a renewed focus on Occupational Health and Safety matters and on Chemical Policy matters. He has also been delegated responsibility for the Digital Single Economy, Ireland's engagement with the International Labour Organisation and for a range of issues of relevance to business and Small and Medium Enterprises, including leading efforts to reduce the administrative burden on business.
82. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has given consideration to reopening the IDA offices in Taipei to expand Ireland's trade and investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40845/17]
View answerIDA Ireland’s offices in Asia Pacific include:
- Korea
- Japan
- China
- India
The Agency and I are fully committed to exploring all opportunities to increase investment in Ireland by Asian companies. This month I am leading a joint IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland trade and investment mission to Singapore and Japan, where I will focus on deepening our relationship with existing IDA Ireland clients in the region to secure further investment and jobs for Ireland. A key objective of this mission is also to present Ireland as a post-Brexit solution for Asian companies.
While the Agency does not have a physical office in Taiwan, it does have a presence in the region, with all foreign direct investment activity currently being handled from the IDA’s ASEAN office in Singapore.
83. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she and Enterprise Ireland will take to promote Irish business in Taiwan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40875/17]
View answerIn January 2017 Enterprise Ireland published its strategy for the period 2017-2020. The strategy was developed in the context of Brexit and focuses on supporting clients to both Build Scale and Expand Reach. Enterprise Ireland’s strategy seeks to inspire and drive Irish enterprise to ‘Build Scale, Expand Reach’ and has ambitious targets. Despite economic and market uncertainties, Enterprise Ireland’s strategic aims are to:
- Assist clients to create 60,000 new jobs by 2020 and to sustain the existing record level of jobs
- Grow annual exports by €5bn to €26bn per annum
- Increase the level of spend in the Irish economy by €4bn to €27bn per annum by 2020.
Enterprise Ireland will deliver on its ambitious targets by:
- Innovation: Driving innovation in Irish enterprise to unprecedented levels through new supports to reach the target of €1.25bn in R&D expenditure per annum by 2020.
- Competitiveness: Improving the competitiveness of Irish companies through Enterprise Ireland’s Lean programmes and new client engagement model, which will provide targeted supports based on agreed milestones.
- Diversification: Increasing the diversification of Enterprise Ireland’s client company exports into new markets, with two-thirds of exports going beyond the UK. This includes a major focus on the Eurozone where Enterprise Ireland are targeting a 50 per cent increase in exports.
- Ambition: Inspiring more companies to have global ambition.
Marketplace services for Irish companies targeting Taiwan are provided through Enterprise Ireland’s office in Hong Kong and locally in Taipei via a consultancy arrangement, which is managed by the Enterprise Ireland Hong Kong Manager.
Enterprise Ireland has adopted a sectoral approach to the “Greater” China market. Enterprise Ireland works in close co-operation with the Embassy Network and colleagues from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other state agencies in China.
The Enterprise Ireland Team is working proactively on key sectors across the region where there is a good fit between the market opportunity and the clusters of “market ready” clients in Ireland. Such sectors include:
- Education Services
- Financial Services
- Software and Services
- Telecoms/Mobile Comms
- Semi Conductor Chip Design
Taiwan, accounted for €15.2m of total Enterprise Ireland client exports in 2016 – 1.6% of total client exports to “Greater China”. This is almost evenly split Food and non-Food exports.
The Enterprise Ireland strategy is to service the market based on client demand via a well connected consultant (“pathfinder”) based in Taipei. This consultant will also interface as and when necessary with the Government, and the local trade and representative organisations – including the EU representative office.
Typically, Enterprise Ireland Executives also visit the market once a quarter to meet contacts in government and to meet private sector organizations to maintain awareness of Ireland as a source of world class products and services. The current arrangements have proved to be effective and efficient for Enterprise Ireland clients as the level of client company interest in Taiwan does not warrant any higher level of in-market support at this time.
Enterprise Ireland will continue to make regular market visits in Taiwan in support of client companies which are growing exports and creating and sustaining employment in Ireland.
84. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance the number of Ministers of State attached to his Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by him and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40799/17]
View answerThere are two Ministers of State appointed to the Department of Finance:
- Deputy Michael D'Arcy is Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Financial Services and Insurance; and
- Deputy Patrick O’Donovan is Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Open Government and eGovernment.
No formal Delegation of Ministerial Functions Orders have been signed. This position is kept under review in light of the requirements of the respective roles.
85. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of complaints made to the Financial Services Ombudsman since the passing of recent legislation amending the six-year rule that have been deemed admissible under the new rules; the number still under consideration; the number that are new complaints; the number that were previously refused under the old rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40815/17]
View answerFirstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the carrying out of his duties. I have no role in the day to day workings of the office.
However, the Financial Services Ombudsman has informed me that the number of complaints made to the Financial Services Ombudsman since the passing of recent legislation amending the six year rule is 76.
Of those 76 complaints, 68 are in progress in Financial Services Ombudsman's dispute resolution process (a mediative, not an adjudicative process) and 8 are still under consideration. 44 are new complaints and 32 are re-submitted complaints that had been refused under the old rules.
86. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance the number of new motor homes registered in each of the years 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40840/17]
View answer87. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the removal of VRT for motor homes as a means to try and stimulate more economic activity in the area and to encourage job retention and creation in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40841/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.
I am informed by Revenue that the number of new motor homes registered in each of the years from 2009 to 2016 and to date in 2017 is provided in the following table:
|
Year |
Total |
|
2009 |
190 |
|
2010 |
231 |
|
2011 |
35 |
|
2012 |
34 |
|
2013 |
34 |
|
2014 |
45 |
|
2015 |
55 |
|
2016 |
95 |
|
2017 (to date) |
120 |
Motor homes are classed as Category B vehicles and therefore are subject to a rate of VRT of 13.3% of their Open Market Selling Price (OMSP). This compares to Category A (passenger) vehicles which are charged at rates between 14% and 36% of their OMSP depending on the level of CO2 they emit. Motor homes also receive preferential treatment vis-à-vis Category A vehicles in relation to the application of annual motor tax.
There are a number of objectives of the Irish Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) system. VRT is an important source of revenue for the State. It also seeks to reflect the negative externalities caused by using the vehicle in the State. These externalities are the costs to society and to the environment that, without the tax, would not otherwise be reflected in the price of the vehicle and for which the consumer would not otherwise have to pay.
In the case of motor vehicles, these include environment externalities such as air pollution, which is why one of the bases for imposing VRT is the vehicle's carbon emissions. Other externalities which VRT seeks to reflect, include the costs to society of providing and maintaining the road infrastructure, traffic control, relevant emergency services, and vehicle registration and licensing. The funds raised through VRT go towards compensating the Irish State for these significant costs.
88. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the estimated extra yield that would apply in 2018 from no changes to rates (details supplied); and the extent to which these have been counted in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [40993/17]
View answerMy Department is currently reviewing the tax revenue forecasts for 2018 and later years in the context of preparations for Budget 2018.
As part of this process, the White Paper on the estimates of Receipts and Expenditure (the "White Paper") will be published in advance of the Budget 2018, and will contain a tax revenue forecast for the forthcoming year based on a position of no-policy change. It should be noted that a no-policy change does include around €170 million, which relates to carryover of taxation measures already introduced in Budget 2017.
The individual tax-head yields, on a no-policy change basis, are driven by the growth rate of the respective tax bases (GNP, consumer spending, etc.). My Department is currently reviewing its macroeconomic forecasts as part of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council endorsement round.
The White Paper for the year ending 31 December 2018 will be laid before the Oireachtas at midnight on Friday, 6 October 2017.
89. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated extra cost of public pay agreements in 2018; and the extent to which these have already been counted in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [40996/17]
View answerThe Mid-Year Expenditure Report 2017 outlined an amount of €0.3bn to be allocated from the Lansdowne Road Agreement and €0.2bn from the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 in 2018.
The allocation of these central provisions to Departments, in line with our obligations under the EU fiscal rules, is a matter that is subject to ongoing assessment in the context of the expenditure out-turns for 2017 and the estimates for 2018.
90. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Ministers of State attached to his Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by him and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40804/17]
View answerThere are three Ministers of State appointed to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform:
- Deputy Patrick O’Donovan is Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Public Procurement, Open Government and eGovernment;
- Deputy Michael D'Arcy is Minister of State at the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for Financial Services and Insurance; and
- Deputy Kevin “Boxer” Moran is Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief.
No formal Delegation of Ministerial Functions Orders have been signed. This position is kept under review in light of the requirements of the respective roles.
91. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the position regarding a flood relief scheme (details supplied) in County Clare; when it will move to construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40817/17]
View answerThe Ennis South Scheme is being progressed by Clare County Council (CCC) with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). When completed the scheme will provide protection for 74 residential and 10 non-residential properties in the area.
CCC invited tenders for the proposed works on 7 March 2017. The tenders have been received and assessed by CCC and its consultants. A report has now been submitted by CCC to the OPW on the outcome of the tender process. The OPW remains committed to progressing the Ennis South scheme and is working closely with CCC to ensure that this happens in the shortest possible timeframe.
92. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of Ministers of State attached to his Department; the responsibilities of each; if designated powers have been signed by him and assigned to the relevant Ministers of State; the date on which each designation was signed; the reason in circumstances in which no such designation has been made, this has not occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40797/17]
View answerTwo Ministers of State were appointed at my Department, Mary Mitchell O'Connor T.D. as Minister of State with responsibility for Higher Education and John Halligan T.D. as Minister of State with responsibility for Training, Skills, Innovation and Research and Development.
There are two Delegation of Functions Orders in place. These Orders were made on 18 July 2017 and are available at www.irishstatutebook.ie website. They have also been forwarded to the Deputy.
S.I. No. 333/2017 - Education and Skills (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2017 - John Halligan, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills
S.I. No. 334/2017 - Education and Skills (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order 2017 - Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills
93. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a fund exists which allocates moneys to schools in order to carry out minor refurbishment works, redecoration and or renovations to interior school classrooms and indoor facilities in order to meet the needs of students that suffer from respiratory diseases and or conditions whereby breathing may be negatively impacted by environmental factors such as carpets and other textiles; if so, the way in which a school may formally apply for funding in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40827/17]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department administers a number of grants which together aim to improve and maintain school buildings and which can be used to address the issues raised.
The Minor Works Grant for primary schools and the Capitation grant for post primary schools may be used to improve the physical infrastructure and appearance of schools without needing to deal directly with the Department.
The Summer Works Scheme (SWS), which is demand based, is designed to allow schools, on a devolved funding basis, to carry out necessary improvement works that will upgrade existing school facilities, which can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.
My Department also administers an Emergency Works Grant, and its purpose is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action and in the case of a school if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The Summer Works Scheme application form is published on my Department's website as and when each new Scheme is announced while the Emergency Works Scheme application form is permanently available on my Department's website.
94. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a school (details supplied) can appeal against the loss of an extra teacher in view of the fact that at the time it was assessed it did not have sufficient numbers but now has enough pupils to warrant the extra teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40844/17]
View answerThe criteria used for the allocation of teachers to primary schools is published annually on the website of the Department of Education and Skills. The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.
Staffing arrangements for the 2017/18 school year are set out in circular 0017/2017 which is available on my Department's website.
The staffing schedule includes an appeals mechanism for schools to submit an appeal under certain criteria to an independent Appeals Board. Details of the criteria for appeal are contained in the staffing schedule, Circular 0017/2017.
The Primary Staffing Appeals Board meets three times per year. The third and final meeting for the 2017/18 school year will take place in October, 2017. The closing date for receipt of applications to this meeting is Wednesday, 11 October.
The Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.
95. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address a situation in a school (details supplied) whereby the school's speech and language class can accommodate only seven pupils, the same number as could be accommodated 20 years ago. [40862/17]
View answer96. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address the severe shortage of speech and language places for children in north County Dublin schools. [40863/17]
View answer97. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children refused a speech and language place on grounds of capacity shortage must undergo another psychological assessment and another speech and language assessment the following year at a cost to the HSE; his views on whether a better use of resources would be to provide speech and language places for all children that need them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40864/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 to 97, inclusive, together.
My Department provides an extensive range of supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) including provision for the establishment of special classes for Specific Speech and Language Disorder in primary schools. Speech and Language Therapy services are provided to these classes by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is an independent statutory agency, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from schools for special educational needs supports, including the establishment of additional special classes in various geographical areas, where a need has been identified. The NCSE operates within the Department's criteria in allocating such support and applications meeting the criteria are approved by the NCSE. Applications meeting the criteria are approved by the NCSE.
The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD are set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007. A full-time teacher is assigned to each class, and classes operate with a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 7:1. A minimum number of five eligible pupils is required for a school to retain a SSLD class. Eligible pupils may spend up to two years in such classes. An enhanced capitation grant is provided to schools operating special classes for pupils with SSLD. In general, children who meet the criteria for enrolment in Special Classes for pupils with SSLD are eligible for free transport to the SSLD class nearest to his or her place of residence, subject to the terms of the school transport scheme.
The NCSE continues to monitor and review the requirement for special class places in particular areas and has capacity to establish such new special classes where necessary, subject to the willingness of schools to open classes. The NCSE welcomes expressions of interest from schools in opening special classes to meet the demand for special class provision. In deciding on the location of a special class SENOs take into account both the present and the future potential need for special class provision and they must be satisfied that the special class is sustainable and appropriately located. SENOs liaise with relevant professionals in their area to arrive at an informed decision. The opening of a Speech and Language class is, however, contingent on the HSE being in a position to provide Speech and Language therapy to the students in the class.
The Report of the Special Education Review Committee, also known as the SERC Report, provides the basis on which my Department sets the criteria for special education supports for children with special educational needs including children with specific speech and language disorder (SSLD). It is stated in the SERC Report that ‘ Pupils with specific speech and language disorders are those whose non-verbal ability is in the average range band or higher and whose skill in understanding or expressing themselves through the medium of spoken language is severely impaired. Their disability is not attributable, however, to factors such as defective hearing, emotional or behavioural disorders or a physical condition. The disorders may involve difficulty with one or more of the main components of communication through spoken language, receptive and/or expressive, such as the patterning and production of speech sounds, the message content, the syntax and grammar, or the use of speech in interacting with other people.’
The criteria for specific speech and language disorder are set out in my Department in Circulars 08/99, 08/02 and 02/05 and these criteria are consistent with the recommendations in the SERC Report. Appendix 1 of Circular 02/05 Organisation of Teaching Resources for Pupils who need additional Support in Mainstream Primary Schools states the following in relation to specific speech and language disorder:
- Such pupils should meet each of the following criteria:
- The pupil has been assessed by a psychologist on a standardised test of intelligence that places non-verbal or performance ability within the average range or above.
- The pupil has been assessed by a speech therapist on a standardised test of language development that places performance in one or more of the main areas of speech and language development at two standard deviations or more below the mean, or at a generally equivalent level.
- The pupil’s difficulties are not attributable to hearing impairment; where the pupil is affected to some degree by hearing impairment, the hearing threshold for the speech-related frequencies should be 40Db;
- Emotional and behavioural disorders or a physical disability are not considered to be primary causes.
- Pupils with speech and language delays and difficulties are not to be considered under this category.
- In the case of specific speech and language disorder it is a pupil's non-verbal or performance ability that must be within the average range or above. (i.e. non-verbal or performance IQ of 90, or above).
- The pupil must also have been assessed by a speech and language therapist and found to be at two or more standard deviations (S.D.) below the mean, or at a generally equivalent level (i.e. - 2 S.D. or below, at or below a standard score of 70) in one or more of the main areas of speech and language development.
Two assessments, a psychological assessment and a speech and language assessment are necessary in this case.”
The enrolment of pupils in an SSLD special class is managed locally by an Admissions & Discharges Committee, comprising the Speech and Language Therapy Manager, Speech and Language Therapist, Class Teacher and Principal.
It should be noted that pupils who are not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in Circular 0038/2007, may qualify for additional teaching support under the School's Special Education Teaching Support provision, where he/she is enrolled in a mainstream school.
A new model for allocating support to pupils with special educational needs has been implemented from September 2017. Circular 0013/2017 for primary schools which was published on 7 March 2017 sets out the details of the new model for allocating special education teachers to schools. The revised allocation model replaces the generalised allocation process at primary and post primary school level for learning support and high incidence special educational needs, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) allocation process which provided additional resource teaching supports to schools, to support pupils assessed as having Low Incidence disabilities. Guidelines for schools on the organisation, deployment and use of their special education teachers have also been published; http://www.education.ie/en/The-Education-System/Special-Education/Guidelines-for-Primary-Schools-Supporting-Pupils-with-Special-Educational-Needs-in-Mainstream-Schools.pdf . One of the benefits of this new approach is that schools will have greater flexibility as to how they will deploy their resources.
Pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) may, therefore, attend a special class for pupils with SSLD with speech and language therapy services provided in class by the HSE or attend a mainstream school with additional teaching supports and speech and language therapy through the primary care service.
The Programme for a Partnership Government states that a new model of In-School Speech and Language Therapy will be established. It also contains a commitment to examine the adequacy of the present policies and provision, and their scope for improvement, particularly in relation to speech and language difficulties and early intervention.A joint working group, made up of the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive and the National Council for Special Education, has been established to develop the proposed model. When finalised, the proposed model will represent a significant change in the way in which services are delivered.
98. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of improving the staffing schedule in primary schools to reduce class sizes by one point each year in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40879/17]
View answerBudget 2017 represented the start of a major reinvestment in education, and the first phase of implementation of the Action Plan for Education, aimed at becoming the best education system in Europe within a decade. The budget provided for over 2,400 additional teaching posts for our primary and post primary schools in the 2017/18 school year.
Each 1 point adjustment to the staffing schedule is estimated to cost in the region of €15m - €18m per annum.
It is my intention to make further improvements to class sizes over the life of the Government. However, I recognise that there are needs across the system which have to be balanced in the decisions made in each Budget.
