No decision on cutting student numbers

NO DECISION had been made on a recommendation to cut student numbers in third-level colleges, Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil.

“There have been no decisions made in respect of the Department of Education, or any other department yet, by the Government,” he said.

The Irish Times revealed on Tuesday that a report commissioned by Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn had concluded the introduction of a cap might be necessary as third-level colleges struggled to cope with a deepening funding crisis.

Independent TD Finian McGrath challenged Mr Kenny yesterday to say whether numbers would be capped. “Is that information correct?” he asked. He also asked whether it was true the Taoiseach and his Government were planning to cut 2,200 teaching jobs over the next two years.

He said millions of euro were being spent on teacher-training colleges, such as St Patrick’s in Drumcondra and Marino College.

“They are upskilling student teachers, but for what – emigration?’’ he asked. “Where is the sense in this?”

Mr McGrath said there was no point in talking about radical reform of the education system while slashing frontline services. “This is a total contradiction,” he added.

“Even if the Government does not care about education, where is the sense in spending millions of euro on training teachers only to have them qualify with no jobs at all?”

Mr Kenny said the student population was to increase by 10 per cent for the foreseeable future, which meant trained teaching staff would be required. “Population growth, at 7.6 per cent for the first quarter of this year, is the highest since 1960.

“This means that the Minister for Education and Skills must plan for the provision of school buildings for a clearly increasing number of students,” he added.

Mr Kenny said that in Mr McGrath’s Dublin North Central constituency, a large number of apartments and housing estates were built but no schools were provided, resulting in enormous pressure being placed on communities.

“The Minister for Education is now focusing on the projections and will have to provide both buildings and staff for the pupils,” he added.

Mr McGrath said the Dáil’s Technical Group had discussed the issue with the Teachers’ Union of Ireland on Tuesday.

He asked why Mr Kenny was targeting the less well-off schools by comparisons with the more advantaged ones.

“For example, over €100 million is being spent on private schools,” Mr McGrath added.

“Is it because the mindset of the Cabinet is informed by the fact that 40 per cent of its members went to private schools?”

Mr McGrath said a recent Irish National Teachers’ Organisation survey of principals in disadvantaged schools showed 20 schools experienced losses of 59 teachers.

In 10 of the schools, 16 teachers were taken specifically from children with special needs.

He added 22 teachers had been taken from Traveller children in 18 schools and 74 per cent of principals reported increased challenges for such children.

Referring to Mr McGrath’s remark about Ministers attending private schools, Mr Kenny said he had been happy to cycle to school many years ago, adding he understood there were 56 fee-paying schools, 25 of which were Protestant. “I am quite sure Deputy McGrath does not intend to attack those,” he added.

Mr Kenny said the Government had no intention whatsoever of applying its focus to the detriment of those in disadvantaged schools.