John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

No. Even in the current year, with much talk of less money being available and the economy not growing at the same rate as in previous years, the education budget has been increased by almost €700 million or 8%, which is ahead of inflation and in excess of the increases allocated to many other Departments. These additional funds are being spent in a variety of ways.

To address a point made by Deputy Ulick Burke, it is noteworthy that in the period from 2001 to 2008, the Government increased the number of primary school teachers by 7,000.

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