The task of managing the education budget is complicated by the fact that enrolments will continue to increase over the next few years. Between now and 2016, we are expecting that there will be close to an extra 70,000 pupils in our primary and post-primary schools. While the Government is committed to protecting front line education services to the greatest extent possible, we must not underestimate the challenge in doing so against a background of this level of rising enrolments, with its implications for teacher numbers and increased expenditure on capitation payments and on school building. For example, the expected increase of 57,000 pupils at primary level by 2018 could necessitate the provision of up to 2,050 additional classrooms. Notwithstanding provision for additional posts to meet demographics, the national recovery plan provided for a net reduction in teacher numbers in 2011. The detail on these measures was outlined in the 2011 budget. Given the previous legacy of economic mismanagement and the financial constraints in which this country now finds itself, it is not possible to reverse these changes.

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