Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

While no specific assessment, as referred to by the Deputy - although she did not use the term "austerity" in her question - has been done we measure education standards through published national and international assessment and monitoring of standards. In this regard, I have welcomed the recently published report on the 2014 national assessments of English reading and mathematics, which shows us that literacy standards have improved across the system, in both DEIS and non-DEIS schools. This is also borne out in recent international benchmarks, notwithstanding the fiscal situation. In the context of measuring education standards, the Deputy should note that SNAs are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs as distinct from educational needs.

Any discussion about the impacts of budget measures has to be considered in the context of the over-riding requirement to stabilise the public finances and move the country onto a pathway of growth. This is the most sustainable way of protecting education standards into the future. It is important to note that additional teaching resources have been provided to schools to cater for increased demographics and also to provide for pupils with special needs. Over the last two years, teacher numbers have increased by approximately 2,300 posts. Budget 2015 includes provision for 1,700 additional teachers and SNAs in our schools in the coming school year. This is a very significant investment at a time of scarce resources. The challenge for all our schools is to maximise what is achieved with the resources that are provided to them.

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