Deputy Robert Troy is concerned over education cuts being proposed that he feels will impact on small rural schools.
The Ballynacarrigy native is looking for the Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn to “make the common-sense decision” not to reduce pupil-teacher ratios for schools with fewer than 86 pupils.
Deputy Troy is accusing the Government of pushing anti-rural policies.
“There is real concern in rural communities that the Government is pursuing anti-rural policies and an attack and small schools is a deeply damaging policy. Decisions taken by this Government will lead to small rural schools being forced to close or merge with other schools because of cuts to teacher posts,” he said.
The TD is fearful that a rise in the pupil-teacher ratio will lead to larger class sizes.
“Parents in Westmeath and Longford have been contacting my office with genuine concerns that schools will be placed in an impossible situation come the next school year,” he added.
Deputy Troy has gone directly to the Minister for Education with concerns from his constituency.
“The Minister confirmed to me that number of pupils required to gain and retain a classroom teaching post in small primary schools will be gradually increased between September 2012 and September 2014.”
Deputy Troy concluded: “Minister Quinn says the phasing of these cuts will provide schools with time to ‘consider the potential for amalgamation with other schools’. However having imposed drastic cuts to DEIS schools and removed the special provision for guidance counsellors, the Minister is now pursuing a policy of amalgamation for small rural schools but forcing the schools themselves into a situation where they have no choice but to merge with another school or close altogether.”
