Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

One of the most unfair and morally reprehensible cuts announced in December's budget was the decision to increase pupil-teacher ratios in DEIS band 1 and DEIS band 2 schools, and the phasing out of legacy posts. I would have presumed that would have gone against the core political values of the Minister, as a long-standing Labour Deputy. It is a far cry from the Proclamation and cherishing all of the children of the nation equally.

Tá cur i gcéill á dhéanamh ag Fine Gael lena bpolasaí ar chúrsaí oideachais. Tá scoileanna timpeall na háite seo atá faoi bhrú anois agus is léir go bhfuil gá le tacaíocht a thabhairt dóibh, seachas míchothromas do pháistí a chothú. Bhí páistí ó scoil amháin taobh amuigh den Dáil inniu ag geataí Teach Laighin, in éineacht lena muinteoirí scoile, le tuismitheoirí agus garthuismitheoirí. Bhí siad feargach agus bhí an ceart acu a bheith mar sin.

My constituency of Louth has 20 DEIS schools, five post primary and 15 primary schools. These cuts represent an appalling dismantling of the support for pupils who have such a high level of need. There is an abundance of research of which the Minister must be aware. Was any of this equality-proofed? Was any of it reviewed in terms of the social consequences, hopes and opportunities in the lives of these young people? While minimal money will be saved it will be lost ten times over. Leaving aside the politics, the ideological position and the morality of it all, it is bad economics because in time the State will need to pay more to pick up on the social legacy left by these cuts. I ask the Minister not to review but to reverse his position on the issue. He should be ministerial and show leadership. He should have a social conscience on the issue.

My note indicates that at this point I should ask the Government Deputies to support these schools. However, where are the Government Deputies?

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