New teaching posts announced
Issued: 29 January 2010
Statement by Paul Gogarty
Paul Gogarty welcomes extra teachers for schools affected by funding cuts
Green Party Education Spokesperson Paul Gogarty TD has welcomed the announcement by Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe to outline the schools at primary level which will be provided with extra teaching posts under the Renewed Programme for Government.
Deputy Gogarty said: “Reversing cuts in teacher numbers was the number one priority for the Green Party in negotiations for the Programme for Government last October. Following on from this, 500 new teacher posts were agreed over the next three years. The first 200 are to be deployed in the near future between primary and second level, following consultation with the education partners.
"I am delighted that the Minister is publishing the details of which schools will gain additional teachers as education partners were very much involved in identifying those most affected by the previous year's cutbacks. This is a significant step at a time when Government revenues have fallen substantially and reflects the continuing importance of education to the Green Party."