Education: Availability of Resources 23rd January 2013

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied regarding the
adequacy of resources available throughout the educational sector in the
current year at primary, second, third and fourth levels including the further
education sector; if he expects to be in a position to keep the various issues
under review with the objective of the alleviation of any unforeseen
difficulties to meet targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Deputy will be aware of the extremely challenging economic environment that
forms the backdrop to all decisions relating to the public finances. While this
Government has undertaken to protect education spending as much as possible, we
are not operating in a vacuum and efforts to secure savings have had to be made
in the education sector also.

The 2013 gross Budget allocation of €8,566m for my Department represents a 1%
reduction approximately on the 2012 Allocation. Despite this reduction I have
been able to protect front line services to the extent that there will be no
increase in average class size at primary level and no increase in the general
pupil-teacher ratio at second level. The Budget actually provides for an extra
net 900 teachers in schools in the 2013/14 year to cater for upward demographic
pressures.  In addition, special needs services are also protected, while the
DEIS scheme for disadvantaged schools is also fully protected, with no overall
changes to staffing levels or funding as a result of this Budget.      

While Budget 2013 required the implementation of some difficult savings
measures in areas of the education sector and, while I would prefer to be in a
position to allocate more resources across the sector, I am nevertheless
confident that we can achieve much with what we have, through efficient and
effective use of the resources that have been allocated to my Department for
2013.  

My Department will review the financial position during 2013 very closely with
a view to ensuring that expenditure remains within the allocation for this
year.