07.11.2013
Statement from the Church of Ireland Board of Education on the announcement by the Minister for Education and Skills of an additional €70million for primary school improvements.
The Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI) greatly welcomes the announcement by Minister Ruairí Quinn today of the allocation of an additional €70 million to primary schools for school improvements.
The funding will address the shortfalls caused to schools through the withdrawal of the minor works grant in 2011. The additional funding will also allow schools to complete small scale projects through the summer works scheme. Further details are available at: http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2013-Press-Releases/PR13-11-07.html
This announcement comes only three weeks after the announcement of Budget 2014 which saw the pupil teacher ratio in schools remain unchanged.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Chair of the Church of Ireland Board of Education (RI) said: “This is tremendous news for schools, many of which operate in older buildings which is reflective of the involvement of the Church of Ireland in primary education over two centuries. I know that many of our primary schools have found the reduction in income a particular challenge. The inability to carry out minor maintenance works has also caused frustration among school Boards of Management. Minister Quinn’s allocation of additional funding, both through the Minor Works Scheme and the Summer Works Scheme, will ease anxiety in schools across the country. It displays to me that Minister Quinn has been listening to the concerns expressed by schools, parents and the education partners on the issue of funding. Taken with his protection of the pupil teacher ratio in Budget 2014 it is a further affirmation by Minister Quinn of the important role primary schools hold in our society. On behalf of Church of Ireland Primary Schools I compliment Minister Quinn on this achievement and greatly welcome this announcement.”