Figures showing that the Department of Education has spent less than it expected to this year suggest planned education budget cuts should be scrapped, it has been claimed.

Teachers' union the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO) said there is no basis for the proposals to go ahead, given the fact the department has underspent in the past 12 months, the Irish Examiner reports.

Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of INTO, called on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to maintain class sizes and offer greater protection for primary schools, rather than cut the amount of money provided for such purposes.

She stated: "When a department doesn't spend its allocated funding, it shouldn't come looking for another round of cuts."

The comments come in response to new figures revealing the Department of Education spent €5.61 billion up to the end of September, which is almost three per cent - or €149 million - less than the €5.759 billion allocated. 

However, the department responded by claiming the disparity can be explained by the timing of payments - such as the €55 million yet to be transferred to student grants body Susi. 

Written by Donal Walsh

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