Some of the proposed economies by An Bord Snip could have a devastating effect on the Irish Education system according to Fine Gael Councillor Richard Daly.
“The amalgamation of small schools, the increase in the pupil teacher ratio, the reduction in SNA numbers, the increase in the school transport charges, etc., are an attack on our most vulnerable – our children and our future.
Undoubtedly the financial circumstances which the Fianna Fail led governments have led us into have resulted in our country going from boom to bust inside a twelvemonth period but to ask the innocent to pay for the sins of the guilty is a further insult to the people of the country.
Education has suffered the indignity of inadequate accommodation in times of plenty and yet it was the foundation of our economic prowess over the last decade. When times were good we were told to wait and education would be prioritised but before it could happen the times had changed and education must once more pay for the failings of government.
Our educators have been leaders in their communities, our parents have fundraised to provide basics for their children in schools and recently we have had the axe waved over book grants, LCA grants, Transition Year grants, Summer Works Schemes and much more. Now an Bord Snip sees education as another target for assault.
Financial considerations alone should not dictate our education system. Certainly it would be profitable to amalgamate all primary schools in an area and have one large economic unit but being profitable is not what education is about. If we close all small rural schools, all small rural post offices and garda stations we could probably save millions. If we abandon all rural community transport initiatives and encourage our rural isolated communities to move to larger settlements we could save millions on water, telecommunication and transport costs.
An Bord Snip was asked to look at economic solutions, to bean count and in that regard it has done its work. It is now the challenge for politicians to decide what sort of a society we want. While we have to pay the piper we still have the decision of the tune and our greatest challenge is in deciding that tune.”said Cllr Daly
“I believe that the weakest and most marginalised must be protected. They are easy targets and can be used as scapegoats to pay for the mismanagement of our finances. This is where our values as a society will be tested. Those on Social Welfare, on Disability, in rural schools, on medical waiting lists, in dole queues and in the special needs category are now standing in a line waiting to see whose names are called to pay for a situation which was not of their making. We must be honourable in the decisions which we have to make and protect those who most need it.”
ENDS
