9 Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider the points raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4347/11]

The standardisation of the staffing schedule for Gaelscoileanna to the same that operates for other ordinary national schools is one of a number of budgetary measures to reduce teacher numbers. These changes are effective from September 2011. The impact at individual school level will be determined as part of the allocation process for 2011/12 school year and schools will be notified in the normal manner.

The National Recovery Plan sets out a pathway of bringing our overall public expenditure back into line with what we can afford as a country. Education has been protected much more than other areas of public spending, but given the enormity of the current difficulties, the reality is that no area of public spending can be completely spared.