Gaeltacht schools still face cuts despite 500+ taking to the streets
February 3, 2012
500 people marched outside Dáil Éireann last night in opposition to the proposed cuts to small, rural and Gaeltacht schools. Despite the large group of protesters the motion to oppose these cuts was rejected by a Dáil vote last night.
Many people from Gaeltacht areas around the country travelled to Dublin last night to take part in the protest including groups from An Bun Beag, Lios Póil, Conamara, Mayo, Donegal, Kerry, Cork, An Rinn and Ráth Chairn.
The cuts proposed in last December’s Budget will result in the number of pupils required for a four-teacher school increasing from 81 to 83 students.
Gaeltacht schools had previously benefitted from a favourable quota due to the challenges involved with teaching in Gaeltacht areas, with 76 pupils required for a four-teacher school. This number however, is due to rise to 86 by 2014, a hike that will require 10 extra pupils for each Gaeltacht school to preserve their four-teacher status.
A motion by Fianna Fáil opposing these measurements was rejected in a Dáil vote last night by 87:46.
In an interview with Gaelport.com Treasa Ní Mhainín, Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta stated that 12 Gaeltacht schools will lose a teacher in September as a result of these cuts.
Eagraíocht na Scoileanna Gaeltachta are due to meet with Minister of State Dinny McGinley, TD, next week to bring the cases of these schools to the attention of the Government. Their request in early January for an urgent meeting with the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn, TD, was granted last night and is due to take place by the end of February.
GAELPORT
