Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

I appreciate the flexibility offered by the Chair because this is a serious issue.

I do not know when the Minister, Deputy Quinn, last visited a DEIS school, or whether he did so recently. The work DEIS schools do in disadvantaged communities is very obvious. I know this at first hand because I have two children who attend schools within DEIS areas. I know the kind of work the schools do, the time teachers spend with students, the ability of teachers to build up students' confidence and ability, how they teach them to read and write, and all the other practical measures involved. The schools play a vital role not only in children's education, but in the greater scheme of things in the community. They help hold together the social fabric and they have been very successful.

I spent the weekend speaking to a number of school principals who were really angry and bewildered by the decision of the Minister in respect of pupil-teacher ratios in DEIS schools. This will have a significant impact not only on the educational needs of the children. Many of the children in question come from very disadvantaged backgrounds. Many have behavioural issues. There is a scheme in place in DEIS schools in regard to school attendance records concerning which I spoke to one principal. In the past five years an additional 1,500 days have been supplied to pupils as a result of the work and extra support put in by the schools. Withdrawing staff will have an enormous effect.

I am trying to get a grip on how many teacher posts will be lost in Cork North-Central. The figures are coming in bit by bit as we talk to the schools. In the 12 schools I spoke with so far, 41 staff will be lost. That is a huge number not only for the staff, but for the children within the schools and in regard to the additional supports the schools provide to the communities.

I heard the budget announcements and looked at the front page of the Minister's website. It is my habit to look at all departmental websites. They say a lot about the Departments.

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