Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

Tá áthas orm go bhfuil an tAire Stáit anseo. Tá súil agam go dtuigfidh sí mo chuid Gaeilge. Is scoil lán-Ghaeilge í Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. Foghlaimítear gach ábhar trí mheán na Gaeilge. Is cinnte go gcuirfidh na ciorraithe a fógraíodh sa cháinaisnéis isteach go mór ar imeachtaí na scoile. Tá cás speisialta le déanamh ag Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. Tá sé lonnaithe i gceantar faoi mhíbhuntáiste — scoil faoi mhíbhuntáiste is ea í. Níl sí clúdaithe sa scéim DEIS cosúil le gnáthscoil. De thoradh na ciorraithe seo, beidh ar an scoil 3.5 múinteoir, nó 15% d'fhoireann teagaisc na scoile, a chailliúnt. Ní bheidh an scoil in ann freastail a dhéanamh ar gach scoláire. Chomh maith leis sin, cuirfear deireadh leis an scéim caidrimh baile-scoile, nó home-school liaison scheme. Cuirfidh sé sin isteach go mór ar na daltaí is mó a bhfuil deacrachtaí acu. Ciallaíonn sé sin go mbeidh na ranganna níos mó agus go mbeidh rogha ábhar níos lú ag na daltaí. Cuirfear deireadh le cúrsaí speisialta ar nós an idirbhliain agus an curaclam leaving certificate applied.

I mí Eanáir seo chugainn, cuirfidh na hathruithe ar an chóras ionadaíochta isteach go mór ar gach cineál imeachta sa scoil, ábhair na gcuraclam ar nós tíreolaíochta agus bitheolaíochta ina measc. Caillfidh an scoil deontais de €13,000 sa bhliain, ina measc €4,000 sa bhliain fá choinne an scéim leabhair saor in aisce. Tá sé soiléir go gcuirfidh na hathruithe seo isteach go mór ar imeachtaí na scoile, ar fhoireann na scoile agus ar dhaltaí na scoile. Is múinteoir í an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Hoctor. Tá a fhios aici nach bhfuil aon scoil eile i gContae Dhún na nGall den mhéid chéanna le Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair nach bhfuil halla spóirt ann. The proposed education cutbacks will have serious implications for Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and similar schools in Donegal which are in the usual position of having disadvantaged status but not being included in the DEIS programme. Other such schools are Falcarragh community school and Glenties comprehensive school. Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair will lose 3.5 teachers or 15% of the teaching staff. Imagine the negative impact this will have throughout the school. It will result in a far higher pupil-teacher ratio, curtailment of subject choice, the termination of special courses and, in all probability, the end of the transition year programme. This will have a devastating impact on the morale of the entire school, including staff and pupils.

The curtailment of substitutes unless a medical certificate is produced will adversely affect many specialised subjects such as geography, biology and science. The school will lose an estimated €13,000 capitation per annum and €14,000 under the free books scheme which will place an impossible financial burden on many parents who are under severe pressure already due to unemployment and the current economic downturn. Taken together, all of the cutbacks will present principal and staff with a nightmare when planning subject timetables and school rosters, particularly when such changes are to be implemented during the school year.

I appeal to the Minister of State, who I am sure will convey it to the Minister, because of all of the community, comprehensive and post-primary schools in Donegal, to address the fact that Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair is still without a sports hall. It has been in existence for more than 25 years and has more than 300 pupils. All subjects are taught through the medium of Irish and it has been discriminated against because it is still waiting for this long planned for and long awaited sports hall. Our patience is wearing extremely thin. I hope the Minister of State will bring it to the attention of the Minister and the heads of the Department.

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