John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I commend the Minister on securing an increase, to €9.6 billion, in the education budget this year. That increase is to be welcomed. It is quite commendable. Most of the discussion on the education budget over recent days has centred on the pupil-teacher ratio. Like other Deputies, I regret that the Minister had no option but to revert to the situation that prevailed in 2007, contrary to the commitment in the programme for Government to decrease class sizes. I welcome the Minister's statement that he is totally committed to revisiting this matter at the earliest possible date. As he has said over recent days, the best way to do that is by means of partnership. We need to sit down with all the education partners to see where savings can be made. We need to start working so that progress can be made in the future. The Minister has suggested that we are taking one step back to take two steps forward. He is taking a step back, but I hope he will be in a position to take two steps forward quickly, so the commitment in the programme for Government can be implemented. We can be proud of the fact that every commitment in this area in previous programmes for Government was implemented. All such commitments are based on the availability of resources. We do not have sufficient resources at this time, unfortunately. The Minister had no choice but to try to make savings. He has decided to do so in this manner. I welcome the fact that the Minister has increased the education capital budget, which is an important aspect of any budget, by €79 million this year. It is hugely important.

I would like to mention a school in Kilfinane, which is in my constituency. In recent years, the school's teachers and pupils have had to work and learn in extremely difficult circumstances.

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