Coughlan defends Budget cuts in education

The Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, has defended the education cutbacks announced by the Government as part of last week's Budget.

The decision to lay off teachers and increase class sizes has attracted strong criticism from teaching unions and other commentators.

However, Ms Coughlan defended the move in the Dáil on the grounds that it would save €96m-a-year.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, however, said education was the key to improving the future for Ireland's children.