I ask the Minister of State to provide an update on the funding cuts to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. This specifically relates to the cut to English for speakers of other languages, ESOL, funding, which has resulted in the loss of 25 teachers and hundreds of classes within GRETB. This has had a devastating impact of which I know the Minister of State is aware.

Sentiment score: -0.49

I thank the Minister of State. I visited the Dunmore centre last week. I met with some of the English language students whose classes have been cancelled. These are people for whom English is not their first language. These classes really helped them to integrate into the community and find employment and so on. It was really heartening to hear what a positive difference it has made for them but, unfortunately, their classes have been cancelled. It is not just English language and literacy. We also had Irish language classes being cancelled in Athenry, which is really disappointing when we should be doing everything we can to promote the language. Digital literacy has also been affected in other areas. It is really disappointing because this has impacted on vulnerable and marginalised students in particular. It has also impacted a lot of teachers who were very close to completing their four years and receiving permanent contracts. It was a slap in the face for them after years of service. Altogether, 25 teachers and hundreds of classes have been affected by this. I met representatives of GRETB. They said their hands are tied. They have to deal with pay increases. They cannot touch apprenticeship funding, which is the only pot that has increased. There is, therefore, nothing they can do.

Sentiment score: -0.08

The reality is that it is a very significant cut within GRETB. Like I said, 25 classes are saying their hands are tied. I do not know if there has been engagement with GRETB on this. These cuts are cruel and they are impacting on marginalised students and staff who are about to become permanent. The Minister of State is shaking her head but, in fairness, there has been a significant cut to the budget in this area. GRETB has been very clear that it cannot move the funding around and that it has pay increases it has to meet. She might outline what engagement there has been with GRETB on this issue and if she would perhaps commit to meet with its representatives or with some of the teachers and students who have been affected by this. Every effort should be made to get these classes reinstated and get these staff back in place. I have been inundated with calls, texts and emails from people who are absolutely devastated by the outcome of this. That is the bottom line. I ask that the Minister of State do everything she can to get these classes reinstated.

Sentiment score: 0.01