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

In the current situation, I will not make any prognosis on what might happen. As of now, the budget position stands in terms of the funding available to me. If the economy deteriorates further, I am not sure what impact that will have. Please do not hold me to making prognoses. On foot of the information available and on the basis of the budget allocation given to me, I do not envisage any changes at this point in time.

My Department's estimates are calculated on the basis that approximately 900 additional posts will be needed in primary schools in September next due to demographics and the projected growth in provision for children with special education needs in schools. That estimate is based on a reduction of 1,100 posts. These will come from a change made to the basic staffing schedule, the reduction in the number of language support teachers, the adherence to the allocation arrangements associated with children with special education needs and the withdrawal of teacher posts which have been historically provided under previous disadvantaged schemes to non-DEIS schools. We still maintain that there will be a reduction of 200 posts and the issues Deputy Hayes raised have been factored in.

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