Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I will get to the point. I thank and commend my colleague, Deputy Brian Hayes, on bringing forward this motion. I represent Kerry South and wish tonight to speak on behalf of Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin which has 378 pupils and 14 teachers, a ratio of 27:1.

Like my colleagues, I too was out canvassing during the last general election when we were told that the Government would, during the following three years, reduce the pupil-teacher ratio to 24:1. Teachers and parents believed this, which made our work harder. I am not shocked that Fianna Fáil has again broken its promise. It is more of the same. My colleagues are shocked by this, but I am not because it has happened so many times.

If Scoil Mhuire, Killorglin, loses a teacher, the ratio will automatically increase to 29:1, which is an absolute disgrace. The Government's promise may have been aspirational but one would expect it to at least maintain the status quo this year and to try to reduce the ratio nextyear.

Last Monday, 140 new jobs were announced for Killorglin. These jobs will bring new families into the area.

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