Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Why has the Minister not included rural DEIS schools in his decision? Why are urban DEIS schools to be allowed more teachers - they need them and the numbers there should never have been decreased - while rural schools are still to see cutbacks? Why has the Minister not made a U-turn on one-teacher to four-teacher schools in rural areas? Why has he decreased the capitation grant?

We want the Minister in the House, not the Minister of State. I call for an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that we should ask the Minister, Deputy Quinn, to attend the House today. It is obvious that he does not understand the implications of his decisions on rural Ireland. We want the organ grinder in the House. The Minister's announcement was devastating. People in rural Ireland, teachers' organisations, schools and parents are incensed this morning. Some of the backbenchers agree with me on this.