Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I have spoken to many principals in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area and they have assured me the best interests of the students will be a top priority in their schools. I have full confidence and faith in our teachers and principals and I know they will ensure students continue to enjoy an educational environment that takes a holistic approach to educational development.

The provision in the budget to allocate 300 additional assistant principals will provide some relief to those schools hardest hit by the budget cuts. This allocation of an extra 300 managerial posts will provide an extra layer of support to many students. This is a wise investment and was asked for by both the teachers' unions and the management in our secondary schools.

I stress that what is going on in our classrooms is what is most important. That should be our top priority, not whatever number of jobs are being lost or gained in any given area. In the past ten years the levels of numeracy and literacy of Irish students have dropped significantly. Although the previous Government increased spending in education it did not produce improved results. We cannot continue with our heads in the clouds and leave the current system unchanged. This Government is doing the very best with the limited resources we have.

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