Welcome for U-Turn on DEIS Schools-Nugent

Welcome for U-Turn on DEIS Schools-Nugent


Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent has welcomed the decision by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to reverse planned cuts to teacher numbers at DEIS schools.



Councillor Nugent said:


“This entire episode has been a fiasco for the Government and the decision to reverse some of the cuts to DEIS schools announced in December’s budget shows how unjustified the decision was in the first place. It was an attack on some of our most vulnerable children and came at a time when literacy and numeracy standards in Irish schools had fallen dramatically.”

“The retention of 235 posts in DEIS Band 1 and DEIS Band 2 schools is welcome. It is a victory for fairness and equality and I wish to congratulate all of the teachers, parents and people who opposed these cuts.”

“In particular, I want to commend the parents and teachers of Scoil Íosagáin in Farranree for their extremely active campaign against the proposed cuts, which I have been happy to support.”

“While yesterday’s decision is welcome, particularly for children on Cork’s Northside, it is disappointing that the withdrawal of 192 posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level will proceed. The Minister is also bringing forward the decision to reduce the capitation funding for primary schools in 2012. This in effect will mean a five euro cut for every child.”

“These are short-sighted measures. At a time of economic crisis the government should be investing in education and in combating disadvantage, not adding to it.”

For further information or comment contact Cllr Mick Nugent @ 087-6755793