Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's acknowledgement of the progress made to date. I know from my experience in the classroom the importance of continuing to pursue this direction. I reiterate the strong Government commitment to doing that. It is worth repeating that 25:1 is an historic low in our schools.

A budget of €8.9 billion is significant, particularly when one looks at other Departments, and shows the priority that is placed on education. We are further resourcing schools this year through the class programme, which is to provide additional learning support in schools. We have made provision for additional teaching hours for schools this year, specifically as a Covid measure. For example, an 800-pupil school will have 900 hours, which is one and a half full posts for a school year.

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