Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Bhí mé ag súil ar maidin go mbeinn ag éirí le fáiltiú roimh an chúlú a bheadh déanta ag an Aire Oideachais agus Scileanna maidir leis na scoileanna DEIS. Tá sé fíor-dheacair sin a dhéanamh nuair a fheicimid an bealach a rinneadh an cinneadh sin agus beidh mé ag iarraidh díospóireachta leis an Aire láithreach le himpleachtaí an chinnidh sin a phlé.

I was hoping to be able to praise the Minister for the change in respect of DEIS schools, but it would be difficult to do so, given the double-edged decision taken. His decision is a double whammy for rural schools. Not only does it favour urban schools - it is obvious that he has rolled over in the face of the urban lobby within the Labour Party - but it places an extra burden on rural schools that have already been hit by cutbacks in teacher numbers. The capitation grant to each is being reduced. I am sick to the back teeth of attending public meetings with Government representatives who are in tears over the cutbacks being implemented by the Minister, Deputy Quinn, yet who vote for those same cutbacks in the Houses.