Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Staffing.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Ceist:

67 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress of his discussions with the Minister for Finance regarding the implications for teacher numbers and the pupil-teacher ratio of the decision announced in the budget to reduce public service numbers by 5,000 and to impose a freeze on future recruitment; the number of teaching positions that will be affected by these decisions; the way in which it will affect the promised appointment of extra resource teachers and special needs assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21509/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Government decision regarding the reduction of overall public sector numbers by 5,000 over the next three years is the subject of ongoing discussion at present between officials from my Department and that of the Department of Finance. The detailed consequences arising from this decision in terms of appointments of teachers and other staff in the education sector have not yet been finalised and will have to be further considered in the context of the ongoing Estimates process.