Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I commend Deputy Michael Moynihan on putting this motion forward. If offers a great opportunity to discuss many aspects of the budget. A Member has already paid tribute to Deputy Moynihan and his knowledge of agriculture. When Deputy Moynihan says there were cuts in the disadvantaged areas and the rural environment protection schemes, it is worthwhile listening to what he says.

Rural communities have been hit very hard by a number of cuts in the budget, regardless of how one dresses it up. As well as the cutbacks in agriculture, there was also the announcement of the closure of rural Garda stations and rural schools in addition to the increase in school transport charges, which is very important in rural areas. In the area of social welfare, the farm assist payment has been of great benefit to smallholders. However, the means test for farm assist has been changed in terms of the income criteria and this is hitting farmers who are struggling to make a living.

The issue of smaller primary schools is interesting. While there was no change in the pupil-teacher ratio, we were told that if a school had four teachers or less, there would be changes in the ratio. Of course, those smaller schools are located in rural areas and provincial towns. The cuts will hit those schools but we will know more about it in the future. Combine that cut in education with the changes in the DEIS schools and the abolition of the modern languages in primary school initiatives. These affect approximately 500 primary schools, which has led to further hardship. If this was not an issue, why would Government Deputies complain about it? Indeed, in the Topical Issue debates today and yesterday Government Deputies quite correctly raised the DEIS schools and the modern languages in primary school initiatives.

The Minister for Education and Skills is trying to promote literacy and numeracy, and I applaud him for that. However, at the same time, he is withdrawing other services for primary schools. I can offer an example. There is currently no school library grant, which is a great pity. Deputy Nolan and Deputy Keaveney represent Galway and I represent east Galway. If there was a school library grant of even €1 million for the entire country, there would be €100,000 for school library books in County Galway. We do not have that. We should have it if one is genuinely interested in numeracy and literacy.

There has been great disappointment with the cutbacks in funding for community employment schemes. Like all Deputies in the House, most of the e-mails I have received relate to the very important role these schemes play in the community. I received an e-mail from Ballinasloe community resource centre, where 34 people are employed. The e-mail states that the centre provides an information service, adult literacy, a learning and study centre, a jobs club and IT for senior citizens, to name a few of its services. It has participants working in the community crèche, meals on wheels, local sporting and social organisations, a charity shop and parish properties. Its target groups are the long-term unemployed, one-parent families and people with disabilities. In its 15 years of existence the centre has helped hundreds of people from these groups to get back to work, but this will now stop.

I received similar e-mails from the Ryehill community council in Monivea and my home village of Castleblakeney, where there is a scheme that serves the four villages of Castleblakeney, Caltra, Ahascragh and Gorteen and in which excellent work is done. When I hear the Minister talking about a review of the ongoing viability of each scheme, I am concerned that some of them will be stopped. It would be a great shame, considering the great work they have done. I hope the Minister will reconsider and allow the schemes to continue in view of their great work down through the years.

Finally, given all the expenses these schemes have in terms of getting a premises, paying the heating and insurance, paying a caretaker for maintenance, painting work and so forth, let us ensure there are enough resources in place for the schemes so they can continue the very good work they are doing, particularly helping people who are vulnerable, marginalised and who need a helping hand. The 34 people in Ballinasloe currently have employment, which is what we want for this country. We want people to have jobs. With that initiative in place we will get our people back to work.

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