Smith calls for full reversal of cuts to DEIS schools

Published on: 11 January 2012


Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Brendan Smith is calling on the government to reverse its decisions in budget 2012 to remove 428 DEIS posts from primary and post primary schools, resulting in a significant increase in the pupil teacher ratio in disadvantages schools.

Fianna Fáil has tabled a counter motion to Sinn Féin’s Private Members Motion on Education, to debated tonight (Wednesday, 11 January).

The Fianna Fáil Motion calls on the Government to protect the DEIS programme, to  publish all impact analysis carried out by the Minister for Education and Skills prior to announcing the loss of 428 DEIS posts and to reverse the changes in staffing arrangements for small rural schools.  Fianna Fáil is also calling on the Government to maintain the existing allocation system for guidance counsellors in view of the importance of this service particularly for vulnerable children.

Deputy Smith commented, “Fianna Fáil is deeply concerned about the impact on our education system of removing 428 teaching posts from disadvantaged schools and changing the method of allocation for career guidance counselling at second level. Both of these measures amount to an increase in class sizes through the back door.

“It is clear that some of the most disadvantaged schools in the country will lose significant numbers of teachers as a result of these cutbacks. This is in addition to losses incurred as a result of changes to the staffing schedule for schools with four teachers or less. Huge progress has been made on improving literacy and numeracy in many of these schools as a result of the DEIS programme and the hard work and commitment of teachers. Now the Government is denying these children the extra assistance they need.

“It is completely disingenuous of the Government to claim that they are protecting class sizes and that the protected the most vulnerable in last month’s Budget.  Listening to commentary and speaking to people in the education sector over the past few weeks, the reality is very different. The Government decision to include guidance provision within the standard teacher allocation is an effective increase in the pupil-teacher ratio at second level. Next year, second level schools will be faced with the choice to either let go of up to 1,000 guidance counsellors in 700 schools or to reduce the subject choice for students. This decision could result in the obliteration of the guidance counselling profession, with serious consequences for the younger generation. Guidance counsellors play a vital role in supporting more vulnerable students, particularly those with mental health problems.

“In April 2011, Fine Gael and Labour supported a Fianna Fáil motion calling on the Government to prioritise the allocation of funding for the education sector. I am urging the Fine Gael and Labour Deputies to keep this commitment and use this opportunity to seek a reversal in damaging cuts that hit the most vulnerable children the hardest.”

Fianna Fáil has tabled a counter motion to Sinn Féin’s Private Members Motion on Education, to debated tonight (Wednesday, 11 January).

The Fianna Fáil Motion calls on the Government to protect the DEIS programme, to  publish all impact analysis carried out by the Minister for Education and Skills prior to announcing the loss of 428 DEIS posts and to reverse the changes in staffing arrangements for small rural schools.  Fianna Fáil is also calling on the Government to maintain the existing allocation system for guidance counsellors in view of the importance of this service particularly for vulnerable children.

Deputy Smith commented, “Fianna Fáil is deeply concerned about the impact on our education system of removing 428 teaching posts from disadvantaged schools and changing the method of allocation for career guidance counselling at second level. Both of these measures amount to an increase in class sizes through the back door.

“It is clear that some of the most disadvantaged schools in the country will lose significant numbers of teachers as a result of these cutbacks. This is in addition to losses incurred as a result of changes to the staffing schedule for schools with four teachers or less. Huge progress has been made on improving literacy and numeracy in many of these schools as a result of the DEIS programme and the hard work and commitment of teachers. Now the Government is denying these children the extra assistance they need.

“It is completely disingenuous of the Government to claim that they are protecting class sizes and that the protected the most vulnerable in last month’s Budget.  Listening to commentary and speaking to people in the education sector over the past few weeks, the reality is very different. The Government decision to include guidance provision within the standard teacher allocation is an effective increase in the pupil-teacher ratio at second level. Next year, second level schools will be faced with the choice to either let go of up to 1,000 guidance counsellors in 700 schools or to reduce the subject choice for students. This decision could result in the obliteration of the guidance counselling profession, with serious consequences for the younger generation. Guidance counsellors play a vital role in supporting more vulnerable students, particularly those with mental health problems.

“In April 2011, Fine Gael and Labour supported a Fianna Fáil motion calling on the Government to prioritise the allocation of funding for the education sector. I am urging the Fine Gael and Labour Deputies to keep this commitment and use this opportunity to seek a reversal in damaging cuts that hit the most vulnerable children the hardest.”

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