Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

The cuts to the school in question in this matter arise from budget 2012. At the time I said the budget, in particular the education budget, lacked balance and in many cases was affecting the most vulnerable. The school in question was informed that it would lose eight teachers, who were informed of the loss of their jobs during the week. The school is typical of many schools throughout the country. One of the big concerns we all have as elected representatives is that the effect of the budget is only beginning to affect many schools. The loss of eight teachers constitutes a reduction of one third in the staffing complement of the school.

Taking the family background of the school pupils into account one could probably argue that if the DEIS programme was open to other schools that it would be included in DEIS. Unfortunately, the current system prevents schools from becoming involved in DEIS. If the school was in DEIS it would not lose some of the legacy posts. Part of the difficulty is that four of the posts date from the pre-DEIS scheme, giving children an even break. The legacy posts in DEIS schools are being retained. However, in a school such as the one in question, which probably fits the criteria of DEIS, they are not being retained. DEIS was never intended to create barriers to other schools; it was supposed to dismantle barriers but unfortunately the children in this school will be affected.

The area is one of high unemployment and there is a refugee centre close to the school. The number of children coming and going from the school can vary at different times of the year. That in itself can have implications. The school is losing one post because of a projected drop in school numbers. The proximity of the refugee centre may have a major impact on the situation.

I do not know whether the Minister can answer the questions posed. This is just one school. I do not know how many schools will be affected in a similar way. Schools in my area, which is the same area as the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, who is present, may lose five teachers. It is not sustainable for any school to lose that number of teachers. As I stated, we are being drip fed information on this matter. Some of the posts will be withdrawn from 31 August next, which means the school is facing into a bleak future. I am concerned about the impact of these cuts on children in this school. Neither they nor their parents are responsible for the creation of the crisis in our country.

See this speech in context