Fianna Fail spokesman on Education, Deputy Charlie McConalogue must resist making more mistakes with his education budget.
Classroom numbers are getting bigger
The Inishowen TD has warned that frontline cuts will spell disaster for Donegal’s children.
He warned that further increases in class sizes will have a serious impact on the quality of primary school education.
He raised his concerns after reports that the government plans to slash €100 million from the education budget next year.
“This is more than double the level of cuts originally targeted by Minister Quinn. Taking €44 million out of an already under-resourced education system was bad enough, but cutting €100 million will have very serious consequences for schools and students across the country,” said Deputy McConalogue.
He said there simply isn’t scope to take so much out of the education budget without directly affecting the quality of our children’s education.
“Approximately 1 in 5 children are already in classes of over 30 pupils. Further significant increases in class sizes would be the single biggest step backwards for the Irish education system.
“Children with special needs have been the worst effected by Minister Quinn’s cuts so far. The dramatic reductions in SNA supports have had a serious impact on the most vulnerable children within the school system and on the classroom environment as a whole. It is these children, who are struggling in class and suffering as a result of cuts to one-to-one supports, who will become even more lost if class sizes increase further.
“Minister Quinn has made many mistakes in his handling of the education budget over the past two years, some of which he has been forced to row back on. I am urging him against making more mistakes that could potentially set our education system back decades and undo much of the progress we have made in providing equal opportunities to all children.”