Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In respect of the Department of Education and Science, a matter to which Deputy Ó Caoláin referred and to which he may return, the Green Party stated that the junior partners in the coalition were determined to maintain support for primary education and to prevent cuts in school capitation. In its revised programme for Government, agreed just over a year ago, the Government committed itself to no further increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary and second level schools for the lifetime of the Government. It also stated that it would provide 500 teaching posts between primary and second level schools over the next three years, 200 to be provided immediately and 150 to be provided in each of the following years. Does this commitment still stand?

Can we take it that for the lifetime of this Government there will no further increase in the pupil-teacher ratio in primary and second level schools? Does the commitment in the programme for Government to provide 500 teaching posts between primary and second level schools over the next three years still stand? How many of the 200 teachers to be provided immediately have been appointed, have the 150 teachers to be provided for this year been appointed and will the teachers to be provided for the remaining two years of the lifetime of the Government be appointed?

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