Kenny hints at funding rowback for some schools

ENDA KENNY told the Dáil yesterday “alleviation measures” will be introduced for disadvantaged-area schools most affected by budget cuts.

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn also gave concerned Labour backbenchers last night a “positive outlook” on possible rowbacks to recent cuts announced.

But Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the use of terms like “alleviation” would mean nothing to school principals, losing teachers as a result of the cuts. Mr Martin said the Taoiseach’s words would give the schools “no comfort” and criticised the Government for targeting “the most vulnerable children who need the greatest assistance”.

Mr Martin said the budget cuts meant schools in disadvantaged areas would lose 428 teachers.

He cited a joint letter published in the Irish Examiner this week from principals in 12 schools on the northside of Cork City which between them are set to lose 40 teachers.

He also pointed to the fact that the Government had among its ranks a Labour TD, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who knew precisely what effect the cuts would have because he was formerly a principal in a disadvantaged-area school in Dublin.

Mr Martin said the cuts were “brutal” and urged the Government to reverse them.

But Mr Kenny repeated his line that all the decisions in the budget had been “unpalatable”.

“It would be wonderful to be able to say that things do not need to be changed and that the veneer which has existed for so long can be maintained. That is not the case, however.”

He said the changes would be phased in over a three-year basis, giving schools time to adjust.

“The minister [Ruairi Quinn] will continue the conversation about identifying the most affected schools when he meets representatives of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation,” said Mr Kenny.

“In January, following conversations with the minister, all schools will be notified of their staffing entitlements under the new arrangements, including any alleviation measures that may apply.”

Meanwhile, Mr Quinn spoke to backbench TDs at Labour’s weekly parliamentary meeting last night where he said he would write to principals in January with a view to resolving concerns about cutbacks.

A department source last night insisted there would be no U-turn but added efforts were being made to at least “tweak” the planned reduction of 160 legacy posts next year. Most concern centres around cutbacks to posts in primary schools where supports have been proven to help literacy and behaviour levels.

Separately, Mr Kenny brushed aside concerns raised over cuts to the winter fuel allowance. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams criticised the decision to cut the duration of the allowance from 32 to 26 weeks, saying it was equivalent to a loss of €120 for those affected.

“Many senior citizens are not well treated in this republic,” said Mr Adams, who accused the Government of implementing “Scrooge-like policies”.