Groups demand withdrawal of education cuts

Ten organisations involved in the country’s primary schools today joined forces to demand education cuts in the Budget be withdrawn.

The National Alliance for Primary Education claimed government savings were a full-fronted attack on children and damaging to Ireland’s future.

Members also called on teachers around the country to support a protest outside the Dáil tomorrow evening.

Paul Rowe, of Educate Together, said the partners were in favour of increasing efficiency, but stressed the cuts will prove counterproductive and costly.

“Balancing the state’s books at the expense of children is itself deeply offensive but the deliberate targeting of the most vulnerable children, is shameful and immoral,” said Mr Rowe.

The alliance fears more than 1,000 teaching jobs at the primary level will be lost, with many of these impacting on the most disadvantaged children.

They demanded the 32 cuts in the education budget – which they claim will result in unacceptable class sizes – be withdrawn.

As Green Party TDs and councillors met in Dublin to discuss the proposed cuts, the partners also called for Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe to enter into talks about where savings and efficiencies can be made.

But Mr O’Keeffe maintained that the government was sticking by its cost saving scheme.

He said 80% of funding within his department went on teachers’ salaries and special needs assistants and to meet the economic downturn he brought spending back to 2007 levels.

“All I’m saving is that I want to take one step back to take two steps forward,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

“We have to go forward in three years time when the economy recovers. We cannot be borrowing for everyday spending.”

The Dáil will vote on a Labour Party motion on the controversial issue on Thursday.

The alliance partners leading a protest while the motion is being debated tomorrow include Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA), Church of Ireland Board of Education, Educate Together, Irish Primary Principals’ Network, National Association of Management Bodies in Special Education, National Parents’ Council – Primary, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, An Foras Patrunachta, Eagraiocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta Teo and Gaelscoileanna.

Eileen Flynn, of CPSMA, said the children of today are the adults of tomorrow.

“Cuts as announced affect every child in every class now,” she added.

“Targeting the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, the newcomer, guarantees greater costs to the taxpayer into the future.

“How can management deliver on its statutory function under the Education Act in a safe environment in the face of such lack of understanding of the impact of the education cuts on all concerned?”