Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

—1,000 of whom are teachers or work within the education system? This announcement has been made at a time when posts that have become vacant in key, sensitive areas, which support people with special needs, have been frozen. If this procedure continues and yesterday's announcement is the first instalment of many more to come, where will education be in a short time under the Government? I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Finance to come into the House to explain his proposal as a matter of urgency. The effect of this measure will be felt across the public service, but education seems to have been dealt the most severe blow on this occasion.