Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

It was clear from the budget in October 2008 and the supplementary budget in April that a ceiling would apply to the overall number of teachers. That was the background to the decision and I have nothing further to add. I do not believe the Department is dysfunctional; I fully support the views reiterated by the Minister: the Department is trying in difficult circumstances to maintain existing programmes.

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