Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

I want to avoid the political point-scoring that has been going on here this evening and be proactive in the limited time available. The reduction of teacher numbers in small primary schools involves a loss of dedicated learning support and resource teachers in such schools through a pool basis. One small three-teacher school in my own Kildare South constituency is currently allowed to combine its general allocation model of learning support hours with NCSE resource hours to give it a full-time staff member on the premises for a 25-hour week. The change will see it lose the full-time teacher to a panel, but two part-time people will be employed to do the same work shared between other schools. I can see that it might make sense in some areas, but it will involve additional mileage and travel expenses. It will mean, however, that such teachers will not be in the classroom all the time, which is where they are needed.

This decision should be taken in light of the value for money review. I would like to see the facts and figures showing that this change will save money or, at the very least, not increase costs. Where are the savings to be made? The Minister should examine this proposal to ensure that it is practical and of value when it comes through.

I congratulate the Minister for finding savings of €80 million in an extremely difficult budgetary situation. It is a major achievement not to have touched the overall pupil-teacher ratio If that had been touched that is what tonight's debate would be about because it would have had a huge impact all over the country. While other aspects have arisen, we should not lose sight of that achievement. The Department and the Minister are facing huge difficulties. I look forward to continuing to work with the Minister to proactively discuss such issues when they arise. The issue should not be used as a political football, as has been the case in some instances tonight.

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