How low can they go?
Well the lowest I've found is a cutback of €2.6 million in funding to local groups which are fighting against the ravages of drug addiction. Just what you would expect from a smug upper middle class toadie of the ruling class like Colm McCarthy.
Colm McCarthy has declared War on the ordinary people of Ireland. The only suitable response is to declare War right back on him and his masters.
2,000 special Needs Assistants to go in schools. Why? No reason given other than the savings. Is the same with English language support teachers an EXTRA 1,000 of them are to go.
McCarthy and his gang of cheerleaders for the rich also have their eye on the pupil teacher ratio andthey are not happy. At both primary and post-primary levels they want the ratios increased. No figures of teachers to go are given and it will probably take the teachers unions to work out this one.
In the third level sector McCarthy wants to get rid of 2,000 teaching posts! This would utterly decimate universities & ITs. The real agenda behind this is probably the setting up of private colleges.
The already inadequate capitation grants for schools are to be reduced by a further 10%. Fees for using the school bus service are to be increased to €500 pa for EACH pupil.
McCarthy seems to especially hate those with special needs: he & his Bord want special needs school transport to be subject to means-tested contributions.
In total McCarthy wants to get rid of almost 7,000 jobs in the education sector.
Its with Social Welfare that McCarthy and his Capitalist Bloodsuckrrs have their real fun:
A general reduction of 5%
A reduction of 20% in Child Benefit.
The Christmas Bonus to be permanently abolished.
An increase in eligibilty age for pensions .
Reduce Exceptional Needs Payments.
Abolish Treatment Benefit.
McCarthy & his gang also want to cut benefits for social welfare recipients who return to education and for those on Cummunity Employment Schemes.
The above is just a preliminary look at the Bord Snip report, examination in greater detail will be required. It is obvious though that the Bord Snip report is not just an attack on the Public Sector: It is an all out attack on the low and middle income earners and social welfare recipients. It is now imperative that Congrees and aall Trade Unions put themselves on a war footing.
The lackeys of the ruling class have declared war on us: Lets Fight Back!