Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Let us be absolutely clear about this matter. The Government gave that commitment in 2002. It is not a new commitment by the Minister. The Government gave a firm commitment to reduce the staffing schedule from 27:1 to 24:1 in the first three years of the Government, which took office last year. It welshed on that commitment in last year's budget. The reason there are 2,000 more teachers is that a growing population of young people are going into schools and it is inevitable that a greater number of teachers is required. However, I want an absolute assurance on the Minister's commitments. From the Minister's reply it seems he is falling into the same trap as his predecessor in that this commitment is now forgotten about, ignored and put to one side. The Minister has had two weeks to find his feet on this issue. Will he deliver next year on a promise that he should have delivered this year?

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