Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

The level of spending on building and improvement is far beyond what was possible in the past. There is much more to do, at least as much in the next five years as there was in the past five, and we are aware of many things that need to be done.

One political point of debate, with the unions as much as the Opposition, is whether emphasis should be placed on reducing the pupil-teacher ratio or tackling disadvantage and special needs. The Minister has correctly chosen to provide funding for resource teachers and special needs teachers. Not enough has been done yet. A resource teacher looking after three children reduces the pupil-teacher ratio in that class for the time involved. It removes some of the burden. I would like to see the general ratio reduced. One may find small classes co-existing with large classes. We must provide teachers to even this out as well as to cater for our growing population.

During the 2002 election campaign it was not clear where the demographic of the country was going.