Again last week, around 100 people turned up at the constituency office of Deputy Haughey, Minister for Lifelong Learning, to demonstrate their anger over the cuts in education announced in Budget 2009.
     
Teachers and parents and schoolchildren spoke to the assembled crowd about the effects of the cuts, and pledged to continue the protests every week in the hope that Deputy Haughey would “finally turn up” to explain his Government’s actions.

“Things have been going very well,” said Martin O'Sullivan, a protestor from Edenmore.  

“Word has been spreading around the area and we have been getting a great turnout every week. This week there were lots of schoolchildren present; it’s good that we have a mix of teachers, parents and the students themselves.

“Class size affects everyone and we are calling on the Government to reduce class sizes, as well as to get rid of hidden costs introduced in the budget.”

Mr O’Sullivan is a member of the 'People Before Profit' group, a national network of campaigners from across the country.

“We are building towards the big Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) protest, which will take place at noon on December 6 in Parnell Square,” he said.

“We will be protesting every week until then. Anyone is welcome to come along on Thursdays at 7.30pm and the office is at 5 Mornington Park, Artane.”

Minister Haughey did not wish to comment on the situation. (Source: Dublin People)