Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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634. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she has taken to support primary education; if she will continue to support and advance primary education through the allocation of additional resources, as part of budget 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34090/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Government's approach to restoring the economy has helped Ireland to return to a position where we are seeing economic growth. It is a continuing improvement in our economic growth over a sustained period that will enable us to move to a point where we can look again at providing for additional teacher resources in schools which could bring about further improvement in PTR, class size and support for classroom teachers.

I am determined that education should be prioritised for investment as our economy recovers and I will be seeking to agree a set of priorities for such increased investment into the future. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am determined to continue pressing the case for increased investment in education in the forthcoming budget.

The challenge for all schools is to ensure that they utilise their allocated resources to best effect to maximise teaching and learning outcomes.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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635. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will protect primary education in the October 2015 budget, particularly in regard to smaller class sizes, which is such a benefit to young children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34098/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Government's approach to restoring the economy has helped Ireland to return to a position where we are seeing economic growth. I have already indicated that I am determined that education should be prioritised for investment as our economy recovers and I will be seeking to agree a set of priorities for such increased investment into the future. In the last Budget, I was able to secure the first increase in education spending in recent years. I am very aware that we need to invest more in our youngest children, and in supporting parents to make the choices that are right for them. Our schools need more staffing, better funding, and functioning middle-management structures and I am determined that we will build on what we achieved last year.

The challenge for all schools is to ensure that they utilise their allocated resources to best effect to maximise teaching and learning outcomes.