Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Power, to the House. His endurance has been tested today. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter on behalf not just of the students, parents and teachers of the Cork School of Music but of the people of Cork. Cutbacks affect people and in this case it is young people, be they boys and girls at primary level or second level, teenagers, adults, parents and staff. It is a concern that in a changing economic environment and in a climate where we are reducing expenditure, we are taking a stance against creativity, arts, culture and music. Any cuts in teaching hours are regrettable but especially so in the case of the Cork School of Music. I hope the Minister of State will be able to tell the House there will be no cuts with regard to part-time teaching hours at the school.

The school, which is a constituent college of Cork Institute of Technology, is celebrating 130 years of the provision of music but concerns now arise in that regard. A year ago, there was a fanfare to welcome the opening of the new school of music, which was built through public private partnership. Many people campaigned for what is a magnificent facility, and its reputation, integrity and provision of service in terms of music go beyond Cork. There are now more than 2,000 students at primary and post-primary level, along with third and fourth level students, resulting in a college that is vibrant, active and has waiting lists for many of its courses. What will happen now?

It is ironic that there are cutbacks. There is a reduction of 2,000 teaching hours, which will have a profound and immediate impact on teachers, students and parents as well as on the world of music and arts in Cork. There will be a lay-off of temporary teachers and a reduction in the enrolment in many classes, including no harp enrolment, no new wind enrolment and a 50% reduction in both piano and violin enrolment. Choirs and musicianship classes will be cut and current students will not be offered second instruments. While I had hoped this would not have an impact on third and fourth level, I am sure it will. After campaigning for years for a new school of music, we are reducing service and output, and dumbing down the entire service and the provision of facilities.

The Higher Education Authority is providing funding and the Cork Institute of Technology is trying to manage its budget, but what happens? There is a restriction of the student intake and a complete, systematic rowing back of the provision for the school for the 2007-08 academic year.

I am disappointed the Minister for Education and Science is not present because this is a matter of grave importance to the people of Cork and beyond. Will the Minster of State ask the Minister for Education and Science to confirm how the Cork School of Music can continue to provide the full range of music tuition currently available when there will be no intake of students?

In conclusion, this is a matter that requires urgent attention. We have a wonderful facility, a dedicated staff who are the best in Europe and a renowned school. We are taking this away and affecting people through cutbacks which are a consequence of bad economic management. For the sake of a percentage of a budget and on behalf of the parents, students and staff, I appeal to the Minister of State not to proceed with the cuts. I look forward to his reply because this is the beginning of a change in education policy. It does not augur well in a time of economic change if we treat education negatively. It is a bad way to proceed.