17/12/2014

Education Minister Accused Of 'Attacking Primary Schools'

Fianna Fáil has accused the Education Minister of "attacking primary schools by reallocating vital primary funding to third level spending".

FF TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has criticised Minister Jan O'Sullivan for reassigning €35m to the third level sector, claiming that the move has "essentially ending any possibility for the roll out of the Summer Works Scheme in 2015".

Deputy Smith said: "The Summer Works Scheme provides important funding to carry out small and medium scale upgrade and improvement works such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof and window repairs and structural work to upgrade school buildings. The Minister’s decision to redirect funds, which would’ve covered the cost of these works for dozens of schools across the two counties, will result in teachers, management and parents having to find alternative ways of raising the cash."

(MH/CD)

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