Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

On budget day, it was very hard to determine the true impact of the various budgetary measures on our education system. As all the details have emerged since then, it has become clear that the first budget of the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, amounted to a direct attack on the old, the sick and the young. I am pleased to have an opportunity this evening to speak on behalf of the younger generation — the students of today, who will be the leaders of tomorrow. The only way this country's economy will get off its knees is by ensuring that every pupil can avail of the best possible educational system. I propose to highlight the plight of two schools in Ennis, County Clare — St. Flannan's College and Coláiste Mhuire.

I am a past pupil of St. Flannan's College, which has an outstanding record of giving all students a top-class education. The college produces students who are leaders in academic and sporting fields. It is a renowned academy for hurling, in particular. Its past pupils include hurlers such as Jamesie O'Connor, who is now a teacher at the college, Anthony Daly, Davy Fitzgerald and John Callinan. St. Flannan's College is rich in history and achievement. The college, which caters for boys and girls, has 1,150 pupils and 79 teachers. Coláiste Mhuire is an all-girls secondary school. Since its foundation, the school has had an excellent reputation throughout County Clare and the rest of Ireland for offering its students first-class educational opportunities. Coláiste Mhuire has 550 pupils and a teaching staff of 43.

The proposed cutbacks in education will have serious implications for St. Flannan's College and Coláiste Mhuire. All 17 secondary schools in County Clare will be affected in the same way. The increase in the pupil-teacher ratio from 18:1 to 19:1 will result in the loss of two secondary school teachers, on average, in every school in Clare. Such a loss of teachers will have a ripple effect in every school. It will curtail subject choice. The transition year programme will be reduced in scale or even discontinued. These cutbacks will put massive pressure on the leaving certificate applied programme. They will bring about the loss of home school programmes. From 7 January next, the proposed changes in substitution cover will result in students being unable to participate in field trips as part of the school curriculum in subjects like geography and biology. Sporting activities will be curtailed. Schools are also set to lose the free book scheme.

If the cutbacks are implemented, St. Flannan's College will lose four or five teachers and Coláiste Mhuire will lose two teachers. Such staff losses will present the principals and staff of the schools with major problems when timetables are being planned. When taken with the proposed cuts in substitution cover, it is clear that a nightmare situation will develop, particularly as these changes are to be made in the middle of the school year.

The four Deputies who represent the Clare constituency recently met the principals of all the secondary schools in the county. We were told that if the substitution issue is not addressed, there will be massive disruption and an increase in indiscipline in schools. I do not doubt that students and teachers will suffer increased stress if the Minister proceeds with his plan to grab money without any purpose. The Minister's decision to abolish the free book scheme in the recent budget represented a direct attack on the poor. This year, the bill under the scheme in St. Flannan's College was €18,500. Some 90 students availed of the scheme in Coláiste Mhuire. If the Government has its way, this grant will not be available next year and parents will be placed in an impossible financial position. School books for first year students cost €329.15 and books for leaving certificate students cost €362.15. Does it make sense for the Minister to remove this grant at a time when 10,000 people are joining the dole queues every month?

A crisis will emerge in our schools early next year when substitute cover is no longer provided for teachers who are away from the classroom on school business. Field trips form an important part of the curriculum in subjects like geography, biology and civic, social and political education. In the absence of proper substitution cover, these vital activities will become a thing of the past. Sporting and cultural activities give students who find it hard to engage in the school system an opportunity to excel. Coláiste Mhuire has a 90-member award-winning choir. It offers a wide range of sporting activities, including badminton, basketball and camogie. St. Flannan's College is well known for its success, particularly on the hurling field. It provides a full spectrum of other sports for boys and girls. All of these activities will be placed in jeopardy if the Minister proceeds with his plan to withdraw the substitution cover that has been provided before now. What purpose do these cuts serve? How will they assist the development of a child? How will they help society? How will they address problems such as obesity?

I appeal to the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to radically rethink the proposed cutbacks in education. Investment in education at pre-school, primary, secondary and third levels is critically important for the future well-being of this country. The Minister should listen to the parents and pupils who have been marching on the streets of this country in opposition to the cuts. He should listen to teachers who have practical knowledge of the effect the cuts will have. I appeal to the Minister to reverse the disastrous education cuts outlined in budget 2009.

See this speech in context