DEIS schools in Cavan/Monaghan still face major cuts – Smith

Gov admits it has NOT reversed cuts to disadvantaged schools

Disadvantaged schools in Cavan and Monaghan are still facing major cuts to resources after the Minister for Education confirmed to Fianna Fáil that no decision has been made to reverse cuts to the DEIS scheme.  Despite the fact that the Minister has admitted he made a mistake, he has now told the Oireachtas Education Committee that he is still seeking significant “economies” in this area.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Brendan Smith TD has hit out at the Government for attempting to trick the public on this issue.

“The Government have been spinning a yarn that their decision to remove 428 posts from DEIS schools will be reversed after they realised they made a ‘mistake’. However Minister Quinn has now confirmed that this is not the case. Far from reversing his damaging decision, the Minister has today indicated that he is still seeking to cut DEIS posts,” said Deputy Smith.

“This confirms my fears that the Government simply announced an empty review of the DEIS cuts to take the heat out the controversy and buy themselves some time.  Government TDs who are under pressure from their local schools have been out convincing their communities that these cuts have been reversed. When asked directly today if this is the case today, Minister Quinn shook his head and said no final decisions have been made. He also said he is still seeking “economies” in this area.

“What this means is that DEIS schools across Co Cavan and Co Monaghan are still facing significant cuts to resources. We are now in a deeply worrying situation where Cavan and Monaghan schools will be competing with one another to retain teacher posts. Those schools that have worked hard at achieving enormous success on the DEIS scheme will now worry that this very success will mean their resources will be cut. To punish schools that have come so far under the DEIS programme makes absolutely no sense.

“This is a highly socially regressive step that will undo years of progress in tackling educational disadvantage. The long-term economic implications are enormous. It’s time for the Minister to cut through the spin and be honest with the people.  The Minister must do the right thing and reverse his mistake,” said Deputy Smith.

Gov admits it has NOT reversed cuts to disadvantaged schools

Disadvantaged schools in Cavan and Monaghan are still facing major cuts to resources after the Minister for Education confirmed to Fianna Fáil that no decision has been made to reverse cuts to the DEIS scheme.  Despite the fact that the Minister has admitted he made a mistake, he has now told the Oireachtas Education Committee that he is still seeking significant “economies” in this area.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education Brendan Smith TD has hit out at the Government for attempting to trick the public on this issue.

“The Government have been spinning a yarn that their decision to remove 428 posts from DEIS schools will be reversed after they realised they made a ‘mistake’. However Minister Quinn has now confirmed that this is not the case. Far from reversing his damaging decision, the Minister has today indicated that he is still seeking to cut DEIS posts,” said Deputy Smith.

“This confirms my fears that the Government simply announced an empty review of the DEIS cuts to take the heat out the controversy and buy themselves some time.  Government TDs who are under pressure from their local schools have been out convincing their communities that these cuts have been reversed. When asked directly today if this is the case today, Minister Quinn shook his head and said no final decisions have been made. He also said he is still seeking “economies” in this area.

“What this means is that DEIS schools across Co Cavan and Co Monaghan are still facing significant cuts to resources. We are now in a deeply worrying situation where Cavan and Monaghan schools will be competing with one another to retain teacher posts. Those schools that have worked hard at achieving enormous success on the DEIS scheme will now worry that this very success will mean their resources will be cut. To punish schools that have come so far under the DEIS programme makes absolutely no sense.

“This is a highly socially regressive step that will undo years of progress in tackling educational disadvantage. The long-term economic implications are enormous. It’s time for the Minister to cut through the spin and be honest with the people.  The Minister must do the right thing and reverse his mistake,” said Deputy Smith.