Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Yesterday and today, we have heard of two further broken promises from the Minister for Education and Science. Yesterday, we learned of cutbacks affecting 300 additional discretionary teacher posts throughout the country, affecting up to 700 schools. As a result, certain minority subjects will have to be withdrawn, with particular reference to physics and chemistry for leaving certificate. It is very difficult to reconcile this action by the Minister with his utterances in this House only a month ago, indicating his support for the sciences.

The current withdrawal of support by the Minister will affect many small schools which, over the years, have fundraised to provide such subjects and eventually secured recognition from the Department. Yet, the Minister expects teachers, without any facilities, to introduce a new science curriculum at junior certificate level. I am not sure whether he is aware of the fact that, on the one hand, he is promoting science while, on the other hand, he is killing it off at another level. That is despite the encouragement he has got from IBEC, Forfás and the trade unions on the necessity of those subjects in education. Perhaps if the Leader were to approach the Minister, he might be favourably disposed towards reviewing his decision in this regard. Will the Leader ask the Minister to come into the House for a debate?

It was announced today that St. Mary's school for girls with impaired vision would close. This means they will not have anywhere to continue their education in September. I know some girls with impaired vision from rural Ireland must travel to Belfast for residential education. We were promised a centre of excellence but the Minister for Education and Science has broken that promise. I ask him to come into the House and tell us about his two broken promises.