Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn has accused some members of the education sector of not fully appreciating the gravity of the fiscal crisis.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), Mr Quinn claimed calls for the reversals of budget measures and increased investment in teaching suggests the seriousness of the situation is being overlooked by some.

However, his comments were met with an angry response from the union's general secretary Shelia Nunan, who stated: "We get it, Minister. Our schools see at first-hand how the number of struggling families has rocketed in the five years of recession."

Mr Quinn's speech appeared to frustrate many of the delegates present at the meeting, with 40 teachers from small rural schools staging a silent protest and holding up placards expressing the important role such institutions play in community life.

The INTO conference began on April 9th and today is the final day of the event, which is held at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney.

Written by Donal Walsh

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