Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

What about our commitment to reach the EU target of 10% of early school leavers annually? What about the promise made by the founding fathers to cherish the children of the nation equally? These education cutbacks mark a continuation of the Government's policy of ensuring those who benefitted least during the so-called Celtic tiger years will be disproportionately targeted to pay for the sins of others. Low income families and children from disadvantaged areas are being forced to shoulder an unfair proportion of the financial burden resulting from the mismanagement of the economy by a negligent Government and a greedy wealthy elite. This is wrong.

I listened very carefully last night to Deputy John Lyons who gave an insightful and thoughtful response to Sinn Féin's motion. The Minister could have placed Sinn Féin in an invidious position. If he had committed to ringfencing funds for DEIS schools, looking after the educational needs of disadvantaged children and doing the the right thing by education financially, we would have had to consider seriously supporting the Government's amendment. However, he only promised a review, which means nothing. The review should have been carried out before he made the decision to make the cuts.

The Minister of State, Deputy Perry, made a very public solemn commitment that no schools would be closed in Sligo and north Leitrim under his watch. I am a fair-minded person. I commended the Minister of State in this House for his commitment and still do. However, under the current proposals, the closure of smaller rural schools will be a self-fulfilling prophecy. We are cutting off a leg and wondering if the person will live. I will hold the Minister of State to his commitment to the electorate of Sligo-North Leitrim. If one rural school is closed owing to the decisions made by the Minister, I will make sure that both he and the Minister of State, with the rest of their colleagues, are publicly held to account.

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