O’Keeffe: I took no joy in slashing education funds

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe “took no joy” in deciding spending cuts which will see class sizes increase and significant reductions in English language support teachers next year.

But he told the Dáil last night that it was “simply the best that could be done in the circumstances”.

Mr O’Keeffe said teachers” salaries will cost the Government an extra €300 million next year meaning cuts in education spending were needed in the budget.