Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has met recently with representatives of an association (details supplied); the progress he has made with regard to resolving the dispute which has led to the cancellation of out of hours parent teacher meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37076/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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While I have not met with the association concerned in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, I am aware that this and related matters have been raised by my officials in discussions under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council.

While I acknowledge that there has been upset and anger at some of the measures introduced to stabilise the public finances, I would re-iterate that these are essential to deal with the budgetary problems we face. In these difficult times, we have to work together to ensure that the resources available to us are used to ensure the best possible outcomes for our learners. I hope that the association will reflect on these concerns, and will reconsider its stance in relation to parent teacher meetings in the public interest.