Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 July 2014
214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated total cost of restoring the teacher numbers in small schools to that which existed prior to the 2012 budget; the estimated annual cost of reversing the cuts year on year in a timeframe similar to that in which they were imposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32161/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy predecessor has already made clear that there is no scope to reverse the Budget 2012 measure in relation to small schools. All public servants are being asked to do more with less and the teachers in our small schools cannot be exempt from this requirement. The cumulative savings achieved from this budget measure are of the order of €20m. This gives an indication of the overall costs involved in relation to restoring teacher numbers in small schools. However, it is not possible in the time available, to undertake an analysis to determine the estimated annual costs involved.
