Cuts always aimed at the most vulnerable

IN her letter (March 11), Susan O’Neill thought my criticism (Letters, February 28) of Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe’s cuts of special needs classes was politically naive.

On the contrary, my criticism is based on long experience of the reality that it is the most vulnerable, the ones least able, pay when governments cut budgets.

If that is emotional, as she says, I do not apologise because not to feel strongly about this injustice would be to betray the suffering it causes.

People with special needs benefited very little in the years of the Celtic Tiger. The Government was unwilling to spend money on the most basic services even then, so it is ironic that it decided to take away what little those with special needs had. If cuts are needed, why not start with politicians’ own pockets? I invited every TD senator and MEP in this State to join me in taking a voluntary 20% pay cut. In the end only Finian McGrath TD, also a parent of a child with special needs, joined me.

Politicians, bank officials and senior government officials can well afford to take cuts. The vulnerable cannot. We need to cut spending and I will be making a submission this month to the Government on how best to achieve this. However, cutting those who already have next to nothing is simply wrong.

Kathy Sinnott MEP

‘St Joseph’

Ballinabearna

Ballinhassig

Co Cork