Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach seemed to be confused yesterday about the impact of the budget on DEIS schools and disadvantaged schools. He gave the impression that the pupil-teacher ratios in such schools would not be affected. Yet another needle has been found in the haystack of hidden cuts in this budget. Disadvantaged schools around the country are set to lose 428 teaching posts. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, has said "DEIS schools are not immune to budgetary measures". The withdrawal of supports from up to 270 designated disadvantaged schools across the country has been announced. A number of primary and post-primary schools in the Taoiseach's home county of Mayo will be affected. Schools on the south side of Cork city stand to lose approximately 30 teaching posts that were sanctioned to help those children with the greatest needs. A very good article in yesterday's Irish Examiner quoted from a letter that has been written by school principals on the north side of Cork city. It quoted them as saying "our pupils have flourished, emotionally and developmentally and parents are very involved in their children's education" as a result of the DEIS scheme.

I understand school principals in Dublin who are shocked about this brutal decision have met Deputy Ó Ríordáin. The Deputy was due to meet the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to express his concern about these cuts. The principals in question have said the cuts will devastate disadvantaged schools. As a former principal of a disadvantaged school in the inner city of Dublin, Deputy Ó Ríordáin has said he is deeply uncomfortable with the proposed cuts.

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