Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Hayes for sharing his time. I declare my full support for the Labour Party motion before the House. In his address to the House this evening, the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, described the education measures in the budget as "the best we could do in the circumstances". The measures in question include 33 cuts which will affect children in our primary and secondary schools. If that is the best he can do in these circumstances, difficult though they may be, it is time for him to think about his position as Minister for Education and Science.

I would like to make three points in the time available to me. I will start with the question of substitution. In his address this evening, the Minister tried his best to confuse the issue. The proposal for the elimination of substitution will cause chaos in every second-level and primary school in the country. If the Minister disagrees I ask him to return to his officials that they might realise the circumstances in so many schools. I will give an example. A primary school with 48 pupils would have two teachers. If one of those decides to go out sick for one day or is absent for in-service training or whatever other business under these circumstances, no substitution can be had. The other teacher, as principal or otherwise, has to accommodate 48 students. Obviously, in the interests of health and safety, some of those students will have to be sent home. Will the Minister stand over children being sent home from school because of inadequate staffing? If so, he should say "Yes" and the people standing outside will know exactly what he is and what he is doing as Minister for Education and Science.

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