Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

The Government has conceded it will not deliver on the programme for Government commitment on class sizes. In County Clare 3,199 children are in classes of over 30 pupils, a sad indictment of the Government's record on education. The recent issue of water charges also highlights the lack of funding in the education system. The Minister was forced to do a U-turn on this latter issue due to the unfair burden on schools but the problem will not go away and postponing dealing with it until 2010 is typical of the Government's response to a crisis.

I congratulate the Labour Party on tabling this timely motion and hope Government Deputies will take heed and bring the matter to the attention of a senior Minister.

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