Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2011
180 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter regarding a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34148/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra184 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm or deny weekend reports that he intends to reduce the numbers of teachers in schools, both primary and secondary. [34210/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra192 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding education cuts; if the issues raised will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34362/11]
Amharc ar fhreagra194 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if current pupil-teacher ratios and average class sizes will be maintained in our primary schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 180, 184, 192 and 194 together.
At this point I do not propose to give any specific commitment on the allocation of teachers to schools for the 2012/13 school year. The number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the next budget and meeting our obligations under the EU/IMF Programme.
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. All areas of Government will have to manage on a reduced level of resources. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.
