Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

To conclude, it is important not to lose sight of the wider picture of the range of improvements that have been made. Teacher numbers at primary level have increased significantly. Additional resources have been provided both within the classroom and also by way of additional supports in areas such as language support and special education.

We will continue our focus on measures to improve the quality of education in our schools to ensure that increased resources lead to better outcomes for our children and that the modernisation agenda for teachers is fully delivered again so that learning outcomes improve. I want to put onto the record of this House that I am confident and remain committed to further improvements in the education sector over the lifetime of this Government. In this regard, as the budgetary situation improves, the reduction in class sizes will be one of my key priorities.

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