I have been contacted by Scoil Áine Naofa and others which have expressed their extreme disappointment at the Government commitments to class size reductions for Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, schools. They are rightly unhappy that the commitment to class size reductions only applies to DEIS band 1 senior schools. DEIS band 1 junior and vertical schools are not being included. Will this be addressed in light of the great importance of DEIS schemes across the country? Will additional resources, including staffing, be allocated to DEIS band 1 schools as a matter of urgency? The Tánaiste will be aware that, by the very nature of the DEIS scheme, proper funding and class sizes are prerequisites. I ask him to provide a breakdown of how the planned investment of €5 million will be allocated.

The budget provides for a significant increase in spending on education and staffing levels next year, including a reduction in the staff-pupil ratio by one in primary schools, in addition to the €5 million fund mentioned by the Deputy. I will have to ask the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, to revert to the Deputy with details in that regard. I think I know the details but I would probably get them wrong if I blurted them out now. I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy.