Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to speak on this important motion on class sizes. In a country awash with resources it is not acceptable to have 100,000 primary school pupils and 35,000 secondary students being taught in classes of 30 or more. In Dublin there are 8,580 children in classes ranging in size from 30 to 39 pupils. Nationally, the figure is 107,639. This is unacceptable and shows a lack of vision, care and sensible planning in the education sector. Some 10% of our children go to school without proper food or warm winter clothing. Mental health services for children are inadequate, while access to speech and language therapists is extremely limited for children with disabilities. Pre-school facilities are extremely expensive for young parents and many primary pupils attend substandard school buildings.

The motion seeks a pupil-teacher ratio of 20:1 but that is far from the reality in the Ireland of 2007. The matter could be resolved without any major difficulty but it will not be resolved by auction politics. I stand by the demand for a reduction in class sizes to 20 pupils. I also stand by a quality health service and will take tough decisions in the interests of our children, the disabled, the elderly and other citizens. We do not want flash promises or gimmicks, just the delivery of sound policies for working people. I believe in hard work and honest politics. At a recent meeting in St. Brigid's School, the people of Dublin North Central gave me that mandate. Hundreds of parents and teachers turned up at the meeting. I commend the INTO for its magnificent work on this campaign. Class size is a major part of that agenda.

Education is an excellent investment opportunity, not just a matter of public expenditure. When one invests in children, one reaps the rewards. I will not compromise on that core principle. It is time for real community politics and to draw a line in the sand on rampant greed and consumerism. In case people have forgotten, this is a country, not just an economy. We are a society of people, without whom there can be no such society. We need to develop respect and community spirit through people-centred policies and action. Together we can create a new era for this country. Education and class sizes are the building blocks for the future. I urge all Deputies to support the motion which concerns our children, the future of education and common-sense politics.

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