Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I absolutely refute that suggestion, having discussed it with people involved in schools and having heard my colleagues. All the classes in certain schools are made up of 30 or more pupils and children must be five years of age before they can get into school. This indicates the Government's total lack of planning and commitment in this important area. It is particularly significant in areas of disadvantage. Many of my colleagues on various sides of the House passionately addressed that issue. All of us as public representatives and the teachers and parents in the public Gallery are aware that children who need the opportunity education can provide do not get it because they are in such large classes. Despite the best efforts of their teachers, these children do not get the education they need.

Before I conclude, I would like to cite three facts relating to Government promises and commitments. It is a fact that a smaller percentage of GDP and GNP is now spent on education than was the case in the mid-1990s. It is a fact that the average class size in Ireland is the second highest in Europe. It is also a fact that the Government gave a promise and commitment in the programme for Government to reduce class sizes, and to specifically reduce class sizes to 20:1 or less for those under the age of nine. These are three facts, the last of which is of particular significance.

The Government amendment makes no reference to that commitment which is included in the programme for Government, which is very disappointing. As Deputy Enright and others said, when the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, took office, she said this was a noble aspiration. It does not have to be a noble aspiration. It can be delivered if the political will exists and if the resources are allocated in terms of teachers and classrooms. When the Government included it in the programme for Government, it obviously intended to deliver on it. However, in its first three years in office, absolutely nothing was done about it. The teachers' unions have campaigned for the commitment to be honoured because they know it is possible.

We tabled this motion not just to score political points but to achieve what people clearly understand to be very important, namely, the honouring of the commitment the Government made. This debate is not the end of the matter but the beginning. We intend to ensure that the Government focuses on the issue. Every Member on the Government side, including the Minister for Finance and not just the few concerned backbenchers, needs to focus on it. Political will is necessary to address it and the resources need to be provided. This is why we have tabled this motion. We are particularly disappointed the Government has not met its commitment and that it has seen fit to table an amendment instead of supporting the motion. I thank every Member who spoke.

See this speech in context