Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

I will be brief. The Government promised in its programme for Government to reduce class sizes, but it has failed in that promise. Notwithstanding the increased investment in special needs which the Minister trumpeted, we remain below the European Union average in terms of education spending and near the bottom in terms of pupil-teacher ratio.

I and others have highlighted this for a considerable period. A quick check of Dáil and other records show that most recently I raised this matter on 3 March 2005, 9 March 2005 and 5 April 2006. I also raised it by means of a statement on 30 August 2005. Others also raised it, yet the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, pat themselves on the back and state it is a case of "either-or". Education is too important to be an "either-or" issue. Education matters, and funding a reduction in class sizes would benefit pupils, their communities, taxpayers and society at large.

People are aware of my position on funding and know that the Green Party is committed to providing an additional ring-fenced targeted €1 billion investment above 2006 levels. What are Fine Gael and Labour committed to providing? We need to see the costings, otherwise we get nothing more than platitudes. What new excuse will the Government come up with after we have seen their amendment tonight? It is failing our children, parents and teachers by not providing the necessary investments and reducing class sizes while revenues are available and our economy is performing strongly.

I wish to share time with Deputies Crowe, Gregory, Murphy, Connolly and Breen. I could continue for the full allocated time but it would be like talking to a brick wall. Shame on the Minister, Deputy Hanafin, the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, and the Government.

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