Schools Education Cuts Not Sustainable – Crowe

November 28th, 2012 -Sinn Féin representative Seán Crowe TD, has said that the growing financial crisis facing primary schools is a direct consequence of the education cuts to essential frontline services and is not sustainable.

The Dublin South West TD was responding to the findings of a survey published this week by the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) which found that almost half of Irish primary schools are running a deficit and that 22% are just about breaking even.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“It is unacceptable that some primary school principals are being forced to tell the parents of children to wear extra warm clothing in order to keep warm in their freezing classrooms.

“This current crisis can in part be attributed to the reduction in the capitation grant and the suspension of the summer work’s scheme. In addition to these cuts is the mounting speculation that the Department of Education and Skills (DES) is to remove school access to the Minor Work’s Grant, due to be paid in December.

This payment is particularly important for small schools as it includes a block payment of €5000 on top of the capitation payment and is essential for the day-to-day running and essential upkeep of many schools.

“It is simply not good enough for the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to describe the situation “as unacceptable” when he is ultimately responsible for what is actually happening and he needs to intervene directly and ensure this year’s Minor Capital Works payment is paid out to schools that are reliant on this funding stream.

“In the current economic climate, it is becoming increasingly difficult or impossible for parents to make-up the large shortfall in funding through voluntary contributions and it is clear from reports, that many Irish primary schools are close to breaking point.

“The findings of the CPSMA survey illustrate the extent of the problem, with over half of Irish Primary schools in deficit. The example of Wayside National School in Bluebell, Dublin, which has been left without heating because they have been unable to find €300 to pay for repairs to a boiler is a case in point.

“As we approach next week’s budget, I am calling on Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to examine again the stark findings of this report and reverse the cuts that that he and his Cabinet colleagues are supporting and implementing against schoolchildren and their families.”