Govt: No extra money to reverse education cuts

The Government has said no extra money will be given to the Department of Education to reverse the cuts to teaching posts in DEIS schools.

Fianna Fáil leader Micháel Martin said the proposal to cut 450 teachers in DEIS schools in disadvantaged areas would have a devastating impact on pupils.

He said the cutting of a further 800 career guidance counsellors would significantly increase the pupil teacher ratio in schools.

The Budget cuts to guidance counsellors will be debated during private members time in the Dáil this evening.

Labour's Aodhan O Riordan has said the situation is not ideal, but the Government is trying to soften the impact of the cuts.