Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the situation was absolutely dire a number of years ago. While it is still very difficult, some improvements have been made. For example, nurses who are currently being trained and who are qualifying are all being offered permanent contracts. The incremental grades that were removed in the past have been restored. Obviously, the intention of Government is to employ more teachers because of the growing number of primary and secondary school students. As I pointed out yesterday, for the first time in nine years almost €40 million was pumped into the third-level sector as part of a strategy to provide sustainable employment.

As the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has highlighted, anybody earning under €25,000 will have his or her reductions fully restored, and so they should. The priority is the lower paid.

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