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30/01/2009
Educational Cuts Slammed
Cuts in the educational budgets have been labelled as 'appalling' by a leading campaigner.
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy has warned that swingeing spending cuts in primary schools will have serious repercussions for the most vulnerable children.
She said the cuts imposed last October's Budget could mean that children will pay a severe and disproportionate price for the current downturn.
She criticised budget cuts like those imposed on schoolbook grants for the very poorest children as "appalling", claiming they were "an indication that Government thinking about education is badly skewed".
Addressing a primary school principals' conference in Killarney, Sr Stan acknowledged the Government's severe budgetary constraints and agreed that tough decisions must be made.
She warned they would sadly result in a less literate and less capable emerging workforce and in a reduced commitment to equality of opportunity.
She forecast that rising unemployment would lead to a jump in the pre-recession figure of 11% of our children living in dire poverty.
This in turn would heighten the risk of more of them not reaching their potential.
Sr Stan said the most vulnerable children, including those from poor, Traveller and immigrant families, need access to books, special support, and small classes whether or not they live in officially designated disadvantaged areas.
(BMcC/JM)
Sister Stanislaus Kennedy has warned that swingeing spending cuts in primary schools will have serious repercussions for the most vulnerable children.
She said the cuts imposed last October's Budget could mean that children will pay a severe and disproportionate price for the current downturn.
She criticised budget cuts like those imposed on schoolbook grants for the very poorest children as "appalling", claiming they were "an indication that Government thinking about education is badly skewed".
Addressing a primary school principals' conference in Killarney, Sr Stan acknowledged the Government's severe budgetary constraints and agreed that tough decisions must be made.
She warned they would sadly result in a less literate and less capable emerging workforce and in a reduced commitment to equality of opportunity.
She forecast that rising unemployment would lead to a jump in the pre-recession figure of 11% of our children living in dire poverty.
This in turn would heighten the risk of more of them not reaching their potential.
Sr Stan said the most vulnerable children, including those from poor, Traveller and immigrant families, need access to books, special support, and small classes whether or not they live in officially designated disadvantaged areas.
(BMcC/JM)
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Gilmore Says "Get it sorted out" On Cowen’s Health Service
The Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has lambasted the Taoiseach's "immovable stance" on the job losses at a Dublin children's hospital. The Mr Gilmore claimed in the Daíl on Wednesday that the loss of 100 jobs at Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin would affect patient care and sick children would be denied the treatment they need.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with scattered showers, some of these could be heavy in the afternoon. Becoming mostly dry by evening with increasing amounts of sunshine. Feeling rather warm. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A bright end to the day with any showers quickly dying out. Dry overnight with long clear spells and light winds. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
