Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Minister certainly has the backbenchers to drown us out, he has the numbers to bulldoze through whatever measures he wants; he does not need the support of Fianna Fáil or anyone else in Opposition but for the sake of the €7 million saved with this cut, he should have a second look.

In education, the changes announced will effectively mean some schools will no longer provide guidance counselling services for students. If they do, they will see an increase in the pupil-teacher ratio. At a time when young people are under huge pressure to perform in school and to conform with their peers, often the school guidance counsellor is the safety net that prevents a personal problem from escalating even further. With youth mental health and suicide a growing problem for our young people, this is a cut that could come at a high personal price for many.

Education is a core value of our party. As a country, given the direction our economy is heading, having a postgraduate qualification is becoming increasingly necessary for our graduates. The cuts planned in postgraduate education are socially regressive and economically counterproductive. These changes will mean in a great many cases that a son or daughter of a widow, a carer or someone from a low income family will no longer have the option of pursuing postgraduate education. This is not right. Education is a gateway to a better future, for individuals and for the country.

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