Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

I am shocked, as I would say are most people in the Visitors' Gallery and in the Opposition, with what the Minister had to say. He has not changed his position on the DEIS schools. His message, that he would examine the issue on a case-by-case basis, is exactly what he sent his messengers to say at the meetings held with the principals of DEIS schools prior to and after Christmas. Prior to Christmas I attended a meeting of inner-city DEIS schools and yesterday I attended a meeting of DEIS schools in the Inchicore area in Dublin 8. I was struck by how proud these principals are to work in these communities, how proud they are of their students, how much they love their jobs, and how angry they were, having thought there would be no change to the pupil-teacher ratio, to see what has been done subsequently. Yesterday morning I stated how angry I was at seeing principals having to beg public representatives to ringfence money for DEIS schools and not to make cuts.

Deputy Lyons stated that we do not have a monopoly on poverty. I do not have a monopoly on poverty but I listen to people speak about it. At the meeting I attended yesterday I heard a request for a message to go to the Minister, Deputy Quinn, not to make cuts in DEIS schools and to ringfence the money in future without case-by-case consideration. The principals made clear that they will not accept case-by-case consideration. I hope people will be out on January 19 at the Department of Education and Skills where the principals are organising the students and parents to stop this. It is absolutely outrageous.

Dublin 8 has already lost 11 teachers and could face the loss of another 14 teachers. The capital grants are being removed and all of the resources are being cut. It is not acceptable. During the debate on health this morning, I stated that one can cut people to the bone but when one gets into the marrow people will fight back. This is a time when people will fight back.

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