“This report is already an historical document in the sense that it is a snapshot of time of our education system in 2006 and highlights how we failed to invest in a strategic and meaningful manner when we were enjoying an economic boom and record budget surpluses.

Over the last twelve months, a range of cutbacks have savaged our education system so the situation now is undoubtedly considerably worse that the statistics and comparisons put forward by this report.

Regardless, the OECD findings as they stand are worrying in the extreme.

The proportion of national wealth spent on education shows that Overall, just the SlovakRepublic and Turkey spent less of their GDP on education. [1]

The ratio of students to teaching staff in second level schools is higher than the OECD average and considerably higher than the average among European member countries. The recent increase in the teacher/pupil ratio will greatly exacerbate this already unacceptable situation.

A well educated workforce is the cornerstone to any hope we have of economic revival in future years. A line needs to be drawn in the sand and a commitment needs to be given that the education system will not be further targeted.

Children leaving the education system in the next few years will find it immeasurably more difficult to find secure employment. The very least their families should expect is a service that will provide them with the high quality education required to maximise their life chances.”