Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason front-line services and teacher numbers have been cut in budget 2009 and an extra €300 million has been provided for increased pay to remaining teachers; if a similar pay increase will be awarded in budget 2010; his views on whether these pay increases are sustainable in the long-term if they continue to come at the expense of children in the education system and other front-line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38023/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The net pay allocation for teachers' salaries and pensions will increase by almost €300m in 2009 as a result of a combination of pay increases, increased pension costs, increased enrolment in 2009 and the full year costs of the salaries of extra teachers appointed in September 2008.

An additional €40m has also been allocated for the continued growth in the provision for special needs in primary and post-primary schools providing for the full year costs of additional Special Needs Assistants in the system this September as well as provision for additional posts next September.

In view of the worsening economic position the Government had to make extremely difficult decisions and choices across all public services including education. As pay constitutes the bulk of current expenditure on education, measures impacting on the teaching resources available to schools were necessary. These measures included a regression in the staffing schedule at 1st and 2nd level and the implementation of restrictions relating to substitution cover and the employment of Language Support Teachers.

It should be noted Education was one of only three Government Departments to have increased funding in 2009 which reflects the Government's continued prioritisation of education. The 2009 Education allocation of €9.6 billion is over treble what it was in 1997. We are committed to investing in education but we have to invest at a level that is consistent with what we can afford and what is sustainable at the moment given the economic circumstances.

Decisions relating to the 2010 Budget will be made in the context of available resources at the time.