John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to some of the issues that have been raised in the Chamber by earlier contributors. I note that Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin is still in the Chamber and I believe it is always best to attack those who are still present. It will, however, be a gentle attack in that Deputy O'Loughlin's initial criticism of the budget referred to overcrowded classrooms. I believe that the greatest achievement of last year's budget was the announcement by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, of a new system of payment for parents with school-going children and in the area of care for children. The biggest single outstanding issue for this year's budget, in advance of its implementation, is the fact that next year we will have the lowest pupil-teacher ratio in the history of the State.

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