Good news for local schools

The local Fine Gael TD, Peter Mathews, today warmly welcomed Minister Ruairi Quinn’s decision to row back on the cuts announced to local schools.

“I met with the principal of Holy Cross National School in Dundrum, Ultan MacMathúna, to discuss this problem. He very clearly highlighted that the number of students enrolled is increasing every year but the number of teachers employed is reduced every year.

In 2009, Holy Cross had one teacher for every nine students. The school was to have one teacher for every nineteen students if the Minister’s cuts went ahead as planned. Over a three year period, the pupil-teacher ratio would have been doubled.

“I spoke personally with the Minister about this to ensure that it was brought to his direct attention. The Minister has now announced that the cuts to the school will be halved.

“The Minister’s announcements are clearly a step in the right direction. We must do everything we can to minimise the impact of cuts to our children’s education.

The Minister has also halved the proposed cuts to Queen of Angels Primary School in Wedgewood and has also saved a teaching post in St Mary’s National School in Lamb’s Cross.

The Minister also announced further good news for Ballyroan Boys’ National School. Their prefab is to be replaced by a permanent school building. He expects this to be completed by the end of the year.

Speaking after the announcement, the local Fine Gael TD Peter Mathews said

“The Minister’s announcement is very welcome. The children in Ballyroan deserve to be educated in a building that is fit for purpose”