Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 41: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if plans are in place to cut 1,500 – 2,000 second level teaching posts; and if this will mean less subject choice for schools and higher pupil-teacher ratios. [34863/11]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the fact that a decrease in teacher numbers at second level would result in a reduction in the number of subjects available to students, prevent many students form reaching their full potential, and is particularly unfeasible in the current climate in view of the anticipated 10% increase in the student population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34846/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 53 together.

I do not propose to give any specific commitment on the overall number of teaching posts in the education sector or on any changes to the pupil teacher ratio and the impact it could have. These are issues that I am considering with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget discussions and meeting our obligations under the EU/IMF Programme.

The Government will endeavour to protect front line education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure back into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that are provided to schools are used by them to maximum effect in terms of providing an appropriate range of subjects and in delivering the best possible outcomes for their pupils.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has assessed the problems facing many schools resulting from the moratorium on posts of responsibility; and the number of posts that are waiting to be filled. [34873/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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When the moratorium was introduced the Government exempted Principal and Deputy Principal posts in all primary and post-primary schools and these continue to be replaced in the normal manner. The impact of the moratorium is therefore limited to the Director of Adult Education, Assistant Principal and Special Duties allowances payable to teachers on promotion. Vacancies at this level arise due to retirements in the specific grades and typically also from the knock on effect of filling Principal and Deputy Principal posts.

Some further limited alleviation was announced in August 2011 for schools that are acutely affected by the impact of the moratorium at Assistant Principal level. The alleviation arrangements are set out in the published Department Circular 53/2011. Applications for alleviation have been received from 153 primary schools and 258 post primary schools. These are currently being examined and prioritised and the schools will be advised of the outcome in the coming weeks.