David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

Jesus Christ, Joe Hill and Thomas Francis Meagher already have been mentioned this morning and I wonder what any of those individuals would make of the cuts in education that have been announced by the Government. Senator Jim D'Arcy stated — I believe him in terms of his passion — that he wishes to see changes in education. Members should consider the changes announced in this budget that affect disadvantaged schools. A total of 38 concessionary teaching posts will be withdrawn from 15 non-DEIS primary schools and 102 concessionary posts will be withdrawn from 52 urban band two DEIS schools. As for the support teacher project, 43 posts will be withdrawn from 48 primary schools. A further 45 concessionary posts regarding the breaking the cycle scheme will be withdrawn, as will 64 concessionary posts in 59 primary schools and 136 concessionary posts in 163 post-primary schools. The latter posts are in schools that were covered by the giving children an even break programme. The Minister's response is that these are legacy posts. This is an absolute disgrace because these are posts that are needed in schools which suffer from disadvantage. This morning, the principal of St. Saviour's primary school contacted me because of her great concern about the impact this will have in her school. The aforementioned school had 27 teacher posts in 2010 but by the end of next year, it will have 20 such posts. The point made by the principal was that the school had been successful in improving the reading, writing and numeracy skills of children who needed additional learning support and all this could be undone, were these teaching posts to be withdrawn.

Consequently, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business today. Given that Members face a three-hour sos, the Minister for Education and Skills should come into the House to discuss the impact the loss of 428 posts in primary schools across this State will have in inner-city Dublin, Waterford city, Cork city and urban areas. Moreover, many one to four-teacher schools in rural areas may be forced to close because of what has been announced in this budget. I note Senator Jim D'Arcy spoke of unity in respect of education. However, if one is serious about the future of education and about being positive, there cannot be unity when the Government proposes to take 428 teaching posts from those schools that need them most. As Sinn Féin cannot support that, there will not be unity. The Minister of Education and Skills must come into the House to explain matters to the principals of those schools in Waterford, Dublin, Cork and elsewhere who will be devastated by the cuts announced in the budget.