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Deputy Sean Sherlock, who welcomes the protection in the Budget of some key education measures.

While this year's budget was very tough in some areas, it did see class sizes being protected and new teachers being taken on - news which has been welcomed by Junior Minister Sean Sherlock. Minister Sherlock told The Avondhu that these were crucial measures in this year's budget, as 1,400 new teaching posts will be created in the coming year.

As well as this, the DEIS scheme has been ringfenced and there is no change to staffing levels or funding for disadvantaged schools.

Minister Sherlock added that 500 additional resource teachers are being recruited immediately, while another 500 will be taken on in September of next year and in total, 2,800 additional staff members will be recruited around schools in Ireland between 2013 and 2014.

PROTECTING EDUCATION

“I am also pleased that funds have been allocated to supporting families with the cost of school books, with a €5 million school book rental scheme to be rolled out to all primary schools. The new scheme will see the average cost per child drop from about €100 per year to around €20 per year," Minister Sherlock said.

This additional funding will allow for a grant of €100 per child in each school which is not currently operating a book rental scheme (€150 per child in DEIS schools) over the next three years.

Minister Sherlock stressed that the protection of education was a priority area for the Labour Party in Government, especially for families and teachers. 

“The protection of education in Budget 2014 is a huge boost for families and teachers. This is a priority area for the Labour Party and myself, which was a hard-fought success in protecting the pupil-teacher ratio and investing in children," he said.

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