Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

It is welcome that the Minister will review this decision. A person who cannot change his or her mind would not know how to change anything. I spoke with some of the parents involved in yesterday's protest. It is mindboggling how the Government allowed matters to get to this point and it is to be hoped the Minister's review will not be a token one. I spoke yesterday with the parents of some of the children attending Scoil Aonghusa, Tallaght which has 195 pupils and will as a result of the cuts lose five teachers. As a result, it will not be in a position to enrol the same number of students next year as it did this year. This will probably result in the school entering a downward spiral.

During Leaders' Questions the Minister stated 60% of disadvantaged children attended non-DEIS schools, which is a good point. This brings home to me a matter about which many parents of pupils of Gorey community school have contacted me in recent days, namely, it is losing three guidance counsellors. While I acknowledge the Minister has stated the school has the option to keep them or lose other subject experts-----

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