Speaking after the announcement of today’s budget, Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin welcomed the protection of spending in Education.
“There is no mistake that today’s budget comes with many difficult choices, however I am pleased that the fundamental structures in the Education Budget remain untouched.
“Class sizes have been protected at primary and secondary level, ensuring that 1400 new teachers will be hired in classrooms across the country.
“There will also be 100 breakfast clubs created over the next 3 years for the most vulnerable of children.
“As proposed in my own ‘Tackling Back to School Costs’ Oireachtas Committee Report published last June, €5 million has been ring-fenced to allow for school book rental schemes in all primary schools across the country. This will be of major assistance to struggling families.
“In Higher Education there will be no changes to either the criteria or payment level of the Maintenance Grant, another progressive step aimed at supporting young people to achieve their full potential.
“All of these decisions were hard fought for by Labour Ministers and I believe both Minister Howlin and Minister Quinn deserve credit for the protection of the Education Budget.”