Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The amendment refers to the importance and success of the DEIS programme, the serious difficulties that would arise from many schools with the withdrawal of 428 posts. We note the progress that has been made under these programmes. We also recognise the huge concern of so many parents with the proposal to change the method of allocation for career guidance and counselling, and we also outline very strongly the need to protect the significant investment in our rural schools over the past 15 years in particular.

Since 2005, a range of welcome and necessary measures have been introduced under the DEIS programme, including reduced class sizes, developments in numeracy and literacy, reading and maths recovery initiatives, the school completion programme and the school book grants scheme. There has been significant investment in these programmes on an annual basis. Speaking to both parents and teachers, this investment by the State has been put to very good use and has benefited many pupils. Those pupils needed that support, and as Deputy Martin has pointed out, society has been the beneficiary. Schools in disadvantaged areas face the greatest challenges and can least afford cuts to their staffing levels and services. The DEIS programme is the only scheme that targets educational disadvantage in rural Ireland.

The challenges remain in 2012 and it is completely disingenuous of the Government to state that it has protected class sizes at primary level and that it also protected the most disadvantaged. Having listened to informed commentary and having spoken to people in the education sector and to parents, the reality is very different. It is clear that some of the most disadvantaged schools in the country will lose significant numbers of teaching posts, resulting in significant increases in the pupil teacher ratio for those schools. This is apart from the changes proposed to the staffing schedule for schools of four teachers or less.

We have discussed with the Minister the welcome emphasis on literacy and numeracy. How can the Government or the Minister claim that they have a literacy and numeracy strategy and that such a strategy has been prioritised when we see the withdrawal of support from those pupils who should not be denied such necessary assistance? I have read correspondence and have spoken to teachers and parents who have outlined clearly the progress made as a result of the implementation of DEIS. That progress was achieved through smaller classes and through teachers being able to work more closely with their pupils. Page 7 of the Minister's script outlines the success of that programme.

There is widespread concern in rural Ireland about the future of small rural schools. We want to send a clear message that those schools are not in danger. I also want to refer to the decision by the Government to change the allocation in respect of career guidance counselling services. We have all met boards of management in schools, principals, career guidance teachers and teacher of other subjects. They are all very concerned about this proposal. In many areas it will mean the complete abandonment and the elimination of career guidance and counselling in schools.

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