Backbenchers want Quinn to reverse cuts to rural schools
A group of Fine Gael backbenchers is to demand a meeting with the Education Minister to urge him to reverse budget cuts to rural schools.
The TDs are unhappy that Ruairí Quinn gave in to concerns of Labour backbenchers over the issue of Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) cuts, and now want him to now accept their concerns.
Under the Budget plans, the pupil-teacher ratio in small schools, mainly in rural areas, will be increased over the next two years.
There are fears that it could decimate schools in Gaeltacht and other areas around the country.
In some cases, just two or three teachers are in these schools and they could not afford to lose a teacher.
A meeting of Fine Gael backbenchers, under the guise of the party's internal education committee, will take place this evening.
