TUI, while welcoming some of today’s Budget announcements, in particular the emphasis on buttressing recovery through investment in vital public services such as education, regards as unacceptable the maintenance for another year of the effects of savage cuts imposed in the austerity era.
We welcome the first instalment of resourcing of commitments contained in the Junior Cycle deal. TUI also welcomes the modest improvement in pupil-teacher ratio. The sum total of additional posts comes to 1,075 in second-level when all factors, including the change in pupil-teacher ratio, are taken into account.
However, this is only a starting point in reversing the effects of seven successive years of austerity cutbacks to the education system. The union is urging Government to ensure that today’s measures are built upon to allow every student to reach her/his full potential. Minister Noonan outlined that economic growth will be over 6% in 2015 and over 4% in 2016 and that unemployment will fall to 6% by 2021. We must capitalise on this sustained economic growth to provide the resources that will help create the first class education system we all strive for. In this context we must also ensure that staff in second level, further education and third level have access to properly resourced, appropriately paid, full-time employment.
Comments below from TUI President Gerry Quinn:
Putting today’s Budget announcements in context
‘The era of austerity cuts has inflicted severe damage on the educational aspirations of thousands of students and the career prospects of young and newly qualified teachers. Posts have been lost and programmes and supports that benefit the most vulnerable students have been abolished or greatly restricted.’
‘Today’s Budget is positive in that it moves towards reversing some of the cuts, but considerably more needs to be done. It is inevitable that schools and colleges will continue to struggle to offer a high-quality frontline service to students in the wake of an extended period of sustained damage. In this context, the increase in the current expenditure budget of €44m in 2016 and €103m in 2017 is a welcome, if modest, step forward.’
Required restoration of guidance counselling provision
‘TUI has consistently campaigned for restoration of guidance counselling and middle management structures. As a result of cutbacks, it has become increasingly difficult for schools to make timely interventions to support students struggling with aspects of their education or even a personal crisis.
A major survey carried out by TUI last year showed that 91% of guidance counsellors spent less time than previously talking to students about subject choice. The survey also showed that large numbers were dissatisfied with restrictions on their capacity to respond to crisis situations. Practitioners felt that the role was becoming increasingly reactive rather than proactive.
TUI is pleased that Minister O’Sullivan has provided some alleviation of the cut in guidance provision. The union calls for the full reinstatement of ex-quota guidance in the 2017 budget.’
Middle management structures
‘The erosion of middle management structures in schools has led to severe reductions in a number of key pastoral positions (e.g. Year Head) that previously benefited students. In a similar manner to the guidance counselling cutback, this has seriously diminished the capacity of schools to make effective early intervention when problems of an educational or personal nature arise for students. The budget provides some additional support for school management, especially in the context of deputy principal teachers in schools of less than 500 students. Whilst welcome, this needs to be supplemented by the return of all middle management posts to the level that existed before the cutbacks.’
Increase in teacher numbers
‘The increase of 550 in teacher numbers arising from the adjustment in pupil teacher ratio, and a further 155 resource teaching posts in post-primary, are welcome and come in the context of the need for posts to enable schools to successfully implement Junior Cycle. However. the improvement from 19:1 to 18.7:1 does not fully address the 2009 worsening of the general pupil ratio from 18:1 to 19:1 or the subsequent attacks on the ratios at Leaving Certificate Vocational and Post Leaving Certificate levels.
We note that a further increase of 370 teachers will be employed in second level to cater for the rapid rise in student numbers. The sum total of additional posts comes to 1,075 in second-level when all factors including the change in pupil-teacher ratio are taken into account. Whilst 370 of the posts are required simply to tread water and meet the increase in student numbers, the other 700 posts will assist schools to provide a better a service in terms of guidance provision, special needs and the management of schools.’
‘Furthermore, many teachers and lecturers are in precarious and/or part-time employment. For example, over half of our teacher members under the age of 35 are in insecure employment. Minister Howlin referred to education depending on educators and Ireland’s educators being consistently recognised for their quality. A recognition of this quality by the Minister is welcome but casualisation of the profession undermines the positive sentiment. The Department of Education and Skills took an important step in accepting and implementing the findings of the Ward report on casualisation in second level. It is important that this be followed up by the finalisation of the Cush report on casualisation in third level.’
Third level funding
‘There is a crisis in the funding and staffing of third level education in Ireland. Unfortunately, the additional funding for third level education in today’s budget is paltry in the extreme and, as a result, the crisis will deepen. The facts are stark. Since 2008, there has been a 34% decrease in funding for the Institute of Technology sector at a time when student numbers have risen by 20%. Over the same time period, lecturer numbers have been cut by in excess of 10% as a result of the public service staff moratorium and Employment Control Framework. This has resulted in larger class sizes, less one-to-one attention to students, significantly higher levels of work and work-related stress among lecturers and, inevitably, a diminished quality of service to our students. In terms of third level this budget is an opportunity missed. TUI has consistently made the serious and significant proposal that Corporation Tax be increased by a very modest one percentage point, from 12.5% to 13.5%, by way of a dedicated Higher Education Levy. This would allow corporations to make an entirely appropriate and meaningful contribution to the public education system from which they derive huge benefit.’
Further Education
‘TUI welcomes the announcement in the budget that provision of further education and training places will continue through Education and Training Boards (ETBs) as well as through Solas. ETBs have extensive experience of providing excellent programmes to learners and this should be supported and developed.’
Support for Designated Disadvantaged Schools
'Designated disadvantaged (DEIS) schools face unique challenges. The DEIS programme is currently under review but the budget today references ongoing support for DEIS schools and TUI welcomes this. However, TUI has consistently sought the extension of provision for disadvantaged students to schools that are not designated as DEIS.’
Today’s positives must be built upon
‘We acknowledge the positives in today’s Budget announcement, but these must be consolidated and built upon to allow every student the opportunity to realise her/his potential. A student gets one chance and, therefore, cuts must be reversed without delay.’