Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I remind Deputies it was the former Government that reduced the number of language support teachers from six to two and axed the 128 special classes for pupils with mild learning disabilities. It was the former Government that cut substitute teachers in schools, reduced class sizes and forced many trainee secondary teachers to choose alternative careers or emigrate.

The reality is we are bankrupt. Some €350 million has to be cut from the education budget by 2014, with €70 million in cuts this year, an enormous sum.

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