Government U-turn on class size cut pledge

THE Government has backtracked on another key general election promise — by admitting the commitment to reduce infant classes below 20 pupils by 2007 would not be reached.

The Labour Party said the Government could have provided half the teachers needed for the same amount it spent on the doomed e-voting project.

Although the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) suggested the target could still be met, Education Minister Mary Hanafin said resources would be concentrated instead on reaching the target in disadvantaged areas.