Mixed reaction to cuts announcement

MINISTER for Education Ruairi Quinn’s

“partial

? u-turn
on DEIS cuts isn’t good enough.

That’s the view of Fianna Fáil Seanad education
spokesperson Averil Power.

Last week, Minister Quinn announced that 235 of the
current 428 posts will be retained in Delivering Equality of Opportunity in
Schools (DEIS) Band 1 and Band 2 schools, some of them on the Northside.

However, Minister Quinn said the withdrawal of 192
posts from primary schools outside DEIS Band 1 and 2 and from DEIS second level
schools will proceed.

Ms Power said Minister Quinn himself admitted that he
had made a mistake by targeting DEIS schools for such severe cuts.

“He also raised expectations by announcing a review of
his original announcement,

? she told Northside People.

“Yet he has decided to go ahead with 45 per cent of
the cuts originally announced.

“Having admitted his mistake, the Minister should have
done the right thing and reverse it.

“A long review resulting in only a partial u-turn is
not good enough.

?

Artane Whitehall ward councillor Larry O’Toole (SF)
welcomed the u-turn but also described it as partial.

Cllr O’Toole said it was an

“appalling decision to
spread new cuts across primary and post primary sectors

?.

“This entire episode has been a fiasco for the
Government,

? he stated.

“The decision to reverse some of the cuts to DEIS
schools announced in December’s budget shows how unjustified this 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.

?

Dublin North East TD Sean Kenny (Lab) said: “The
announcement is particularly welcome news for the DEIS schools in the Darndale,
Priorswood and Bonnybrook areas.

“Given the situation the economy is in, cuts do
have to be made elsewhere in the primary school budget to make up for the costs
incurred by the retention of these 235 posts.

“The changes implemented by Minster Quinn show that he
is willing to listen to concerns expressed to him by parents, teachers and the
community and to take these views on board.”

Dublin North Central TD Aodhán � Ríordáin also welcomed
the announcement.

“As a former teacher and principal in Dublin’s north
inner city, I have first hand experience of the excellent work that takes place
daily in our most disadvantaged of schools,

? he said.

“I fully understand the unique and incredible power of
education and that it still remains the most sustainable and direct passage out
of poverty.

“I am delighted therefore that the Minister has
acknowledged that the measures announced in the budget are to be reversed, and
that the legacy posts in DEIS schools are to be retained.

?

Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello said:

“This announcement means that disadvantaged schools, such as those in Dublin
Central, can continue to provide an excellent level of education that can
ensure that every child is able to reach their full potential.

?