I thank you for permitting me to raise this very important issue for some of my constituents. The Minister received representations from the school manager who has outlined the case very well. The image often portrayed of Dublin south-east is of the leafy suburbs. One thinks immediately of Herbert Park, Ailesbury Road, Palmerston Road, Donnybrook, Ranelagh and Rathmines, areas of tremendous affluence, privilege and influence. Dublin 4 has come to symbolise the centre of power in official Ireland, a place where the chattering classes consolidate their culture of contentment. There is, however, another side to Dublin south-east.
It is a place afflicted by terrible unemployment and deprivation, devastated by teenage drug use and where social inequality is clearly visible. This is reflected in disaffection with the political system and in low voter turnout. Today, I met a group of residents from Boyne Street in the south inner city who do not have hot and cold water. It is shocking when one contrasts this with the sheer opulence of many of the areas of Dublin South East, and nowhere is this more evident than in the schooling and education system.
As Lord Mayor, I had the opportunity to visit many schools. When one visits the richer parts of the constituency, one sees contented children who are beautifully dressed, well nourished and supremely confident. When one enters the inner city, one realises quickly that parents find it hard to make ends meet. If we really want to close the gap between rich and poor, make a difference in the lives of these children and offer them hope, we must invest in education. The small gesture I ask for tonight will make a significant difference. We invested a huge amount of money, £120 million, in the Drugs Task Force. This measure is welcome but it makes greater sense in the long-term to invest in education and sporting facilities, which is sadly lacking in Dublin South East.
There is rising discontentment in the area because of the belief that the Dublin Docklands Development Authority will produce a charter for developers. The question constantly being asked is, what is in it for the people in Dublin 4? When I say Dublin 4, I am not referring to Donnybrook but to Ringsend and Dublin 2. What is in it for the people living in the docklands area? Tonight, they ask for something simple, which I hope the Minister will grant without too much difficulty.
Is the Minister aware that the loss of a teacher would result in five classes being involved in multi-grade classes and the removal of children from the school to those with single classes, thus compounding the problem? Is he aware that the teacher involved is the only other male on the staff and, therefore, a role model is lost? This may appear a small point but it is important and one which the Minister raised in a recent interview on the "Pat Kenny Show". He said there was a shortage of male role models and that we require more male teachers. This is another reason we need to retain this teacher. I hope the school will be included in the early start programme and that the Minister's response will be positive for the people of the south inner city.
