Children victims of ‘austerity-only’ solution: Nunan

INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan hit back at Education Minister Ruairi Quinn’s comments that some teachers did not seem to fully understand the seriousness of the economic crisis.

To prolonged applause from the 750 delegates, she said teachers “absolutely got it” because they were living with the consequences of the crisis every day in their classrooms.

“In schools and classrooms up and down the land, more and more children, who did nothing to cause the country’s economic crisis, are falling victim to the prevailing ‘austerity only’ solution.

“Our schools see at first-hand how the number of struggling families has rocketed in the five years of recession. On average today, five children in a primary classroom are at risk of poverty.”

There was now a ludicrous situation of inadequate state funding being used “to persuade teachers to act as part-time popcorn sellers to raise school funds and so-called entrepreneurs seeing nothing wrong with this”.

Ms Nunan also said the Government had got industrial peace from teachers and she warned that maintaining guarantees given under the Croke Park Agreement was essential if that peace was to continue.

Mr Quinn told delegates a yes vote in the EU fiscal treaty referendum was a key step in regaining Ireland’s independence.

Ms Nunan said she was surprised he would use the conference to rally support for the referendum because there was a lot of work to do before asking people to decide.

“Minister, it is precisely because we understand the gravity of the fiscal crisis that we make calls for budget measures to be reversed.

“Because it is clear to everyone by now austerity isn’t working. And those who continue to advocate austerity only are becoming discredited. Despite this, they cling to it unquestioningly. Like those who a century ago believed in the ship that couldn’t sink, their faith in the doctrine of austerity is unshakeable.

“No one is denying the need for fiscal correction. The question is how the gap is closed. Because we are now at the point of cutting into the bone of public services,” she said.

Delegates passed a composite motion calling for a ballot of the union’s 35,000 members, up to and including strike action, if the Government does not honour the Croke Park deal.

Cork City South delegate Ger Stack deplored attacks on public servants by right wing media and commentators and said teachers and others in the public service were taking cuts for the common good.

“A warning must be sent to the Government — don’t mess with this agreement because we will take action,” he said.