Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

This is the cruellest cut of all because it affects children's learning and their life chances in a highly competitive world. As a result of this cut in the pupil-teacher ratio, I ask urgently for a debate with the Minister for Education and Science on learning outcomes and the factors that affect it. This move shows he does not understand the importance of learning outcomes and the effects on the child and the nation. We did well on underfunding but clearly the Minister does not realise the link with learning outcomes.