Parents of children in Deis schools will be 'satisfied' next week, says TD

PARENTS FIGHTING proposed cuts in some of the most disadvantaged schools in the State would be “satisfied” late next week, a Government TD has said.

Aodháin Ó Ríordáin of the Labour Party was addressing a meeting of about 150 parents at a school in Darndale, Dublin, yesterday.

The parents, who have children in three Deis (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) schools in the area attended the meeting which was addressed by a number of TDs, Senators and local representatives.

In December’s budget the Government announced 428 teaching posts would be cut. Though Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn in early January described as a “mistake” the announcement of cuts in Deis schools and ordered a review of the plan, he later said the review would address some concerns but there would still be a reduction in resources.

Among the parents at yesterday’s meeting was Sharon Fagan, who has three children at Our Lady Immaculate junior school.

“My five-year-old gets learning support, and my oldest fella, who’s eight, has been too, but doesn’t need it anymore. He has come on so much, has really settled into his reading. I am so worried now about my youngest, that he isn’t going to get the help he needs next year. It is so heartbreaking watching him. He’s so innocent in all this.”

Richard Doherty, whose nine-year-old son is partially sighted and shares a special needs assistant with another pupil, is worried the assistant may not be there next September.

“We’d have to take him out of mainstream school. They are playing with kids’ lives. If I was to tell you how I feel you couldn’t print it. I am furious,” he added.

Bride Murray, principal of Our Lady Immaculate national school, said she could lose six of her 16 teachers.

“We would have to amalgamate classes. We have a ratio of 15 to one. That would change to 22.5 to one. It would mean the children just wouldn’t get the attention they need. It would be a disaster.”

Mr Ó Ríordáin said “clarity” on the department’s intentions would emerge later in the coming week.

“I am confident the situation will be seen to be resolved and parents and teachers will be satisfied,” he said.

Parents, pupils and teachers from Deis schools across Dublin plan to protest outside Leinster House on Thursday at 3.30pm.