Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give an assurance that there will no changes to the pupil teacher ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37805/13]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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337. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will give a commitment that there will be no further increases in class sizes in primary schools and that there will be no further cuts to primary education; if he will ensure that all our students are given the very best educational opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37922/13]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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340. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will protect the current class size in our primary schools which is vitally important for our children’s development in progressing their educational needs. [37937/13]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the threats to class sizes in primary schools and further cuts to primary education, vital services which need to be protected (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38105/13]

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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407. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to amend the system of paying salaries of teachers in fee-paying schools. [38570/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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409. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to concerns of parents of children in fee-charging schools that further cuts to funding in their sector in Budget 2014 will jeopardise almost 2,000 teaching jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38575/13]

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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411. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to cut funding for fee-paying schools in Budget 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38614/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 324, 337, 340, 373, 407, 409 and 411 together.

The issues raised in each of these questions relate to budgetary matters.

The budget for education, including the number of teaching posts that we can afford to fund in schools is a matter that I will have to consider with my colleagues in Cabinet in the context of the forthcoming budget. The decisions in relation to such matters will be announced at budget time.

The Government will endeavour to protect frontline education services as best as possible. However, this must be done within the context of bringing our overall public expenditure into line with what we can afford as a country. The challenge will be to ensure that the resources that can be provided are used to maximum effect to achieve the best possible outcome for pupils.