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

I commend Fianna Fáil on this motion. This is a very important debate in our first week back. Unfortunately, owing to the nature of the budget announcement, this is the first opportunity the House has had to discuss the impact of the €19 million cut to the education budget. Although we are focusing on the increase in the pupil-teacher ratio tonight, we must realise the use of the word "vast" is inappropriate. The change seems like nothing; we are changing the ratio from 17:1 to 19:1. The reality is that we are actually reducing the number of front-line staff employed to teach the most disadvantaged and marginalised.

I listened to the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, speak about his experience as a student of the College of Commerce. I am also a former student of that college. I took some time out on leaving secondary school. I was not really a model student. Most people recognised that, certainly my teachers. I took a bit of time out and did a bit of work and eventually reached a place in my life at which I wanted to return to education. I am thankful there was a road back to education for me and I will always appreciate that.

Although reference has been made to 200 whole-time equivalents, the reality is that we face the loss of between 400 and 500 teaching posts. The Minister of State knows that as well as I do. He made much play about trying to protect front-line services. The reality in my county is that we are taking 10% of the staff from the sector and expecting the remainder to deliver education of the same quality as was delivered heretofore to the same number of students. According to the Minister of State, we hope the CEOs and the principals can get around the table and protect existing courses. It is just not true or honest to say this Government's priority is to protect front-line services, as the measure under discussion is achieving the complete opposite. We are removing 10% of staff from the further education sector in my county and there is no way of trying to paint that in any different light. Consider the impact it will have on colleges of further education in my constituency and community, including Coláiste Stiofán Naofa and Terence MacSwiney Community College. The impact will be felt for many years.

Terence MacSwiney Community College, which is in the heart of Knocknaheeny on the north side of Cork city, an area that has seen much disadvantage down the years, has a proud tradition. Many good people are working on the ground day in and day out to try to improve the quality of life of young people leaving post-primary education. The area has one of the highest rates of unemployment. The courses that are offered by the college are helping people to improve their skills and regain employment. They give people back a bit of dignity and self-esteem. This is what colleges of education do for a vast number of people. They help students regain self-worth and get back on the education ladder. They even help students who took a few years out and who want to proceed to education although they did not gain sufficient academic qualifications after the leaving certificate examination. Such people can use further education as a stepping stone to a education. However, the Government is removing that stepping stone for many people.

At the outset, I stated there would probably be 400 to 500 job losses.

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