Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

Deputies McHugh and Daly suggested we should leave the emotions of this debate aside. As a parent with two young children going to DEIS band one schools I make no apology for bringing emotions into this debate. I strongly believe my children should have the same access to life opportunities as those of any other child whether from a DEIS school or a non-DEIS school.

This is a bizarre debate in many ways and unlike other private members' business matters where there are differences of opinion. I have listened to all the contributions from the Opposition Deputies, including Deputies from Fianna Fáil and the technical group. Not one Deputy in the House has spoken of a DEIS programme having a negative impact on children's educations needs. Everyone has said that the DEIS programme has brought additional educational supports to children. Everyone has spoken of the benefits of it and everyone has welcomed and applauded it, yet we are here today because the Minister proposes cuts to DEIS schools. The Minister may refer to legacy posts but we are discussing cuts to DEIS band one and band two schools.

I have a copy of the Minister's speech from last night. He referred to a review that will take place in the coming four weeks to determine the impact the proposals will have on DEIS schools. I would have thought such a report would have been done before the announcements were made. That would have been the logical step. However, so much pressure has been brought on the Minister's Department that he is trying to row back on them, which is welcome. I want the Minister to row back and to reverse the announcements made last December. Referring to the DEIS programme last night, the Minister stated, "I have recently received three evaluation reports on DEIS which indicate that it is making a measurable contribution to improving outcomes for children in schools which benefit from it." He further stated that the initial findings of the evaluation show that when comparing the overall average reading score in 2007 with its equivalent in 2010 in urban schools, it revealed an overall improvement in average reading and mathematics achievement.

There is no need for a report. Every Deputy here could testify to the benefits of the DEIS programme. The Minister stated last night that he spoke to school principals. Had he listened to them he would know that any proposal to cut staffing numbers in DEIS schools will have a negative impact. The reports will only inform the Minister what every Deputy in the House has stated during the debate. It will inform him of the conclusion reached in the evaluation reports, which the Minister has, and that cutting supports to DEIS schools will have a negative impact. The Minister does not need another report. Let us be honest - the report is no more than a fudge. In my constituency we always think the word "report" is used as a smokescreen. The last time a Minister spoke about a review in my constituency a hospital was closed on the north side of Cork city. The last review the Government promised the people of Cork North Central was in respect of the feasibility of maintaining orthopaedic services on the north side of the city and the hospital was closed. I fear this latest review is no more than a cover for Labour Party backbench Deputies who have spoken privately to the Minister and publicly against the cuts in the DEIS programme. This is an opportunity for them to roll in to the Chamber today to support the Government's amendment.

Nobody in the House believes the Minister's proposals will not have a negative impact on children's education. As a parent of children attending DEIS schools and on behalf of other children attending such schools, I plead with the Minister not to proceed with this measure. He talks about leaving a legacy. If he proceeds with what he is proposing, his legacy will be denying my children and others equal access to life's opportunities.

See this speech in context