Education cuts likely despite €227m spend hike

MAJOR cuts to education services are still likely in 2009 despite an increase of €227 million on what was allocated this year for day-to-day running costs.

With increasing student numbers requiring the recruitment of hundreds of extra teachers, and pay increases due to public servants and more than 50,000 teachers later next year, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe may still have to wield the axe in support services.

In the spending estimates for this year, the Department of Education was given a €580m increase for non-capital spending, more than double the 2.9% increase proposed for 2009.