Government needs to Re-prioritise Public Funding from Private Schools to Community Policing – Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD
- State is spending €3.6m on capital and building expenses of private schools
- 10% increase in community policing would cost €3.7m
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, Labour spokesperson on Education and Justice, has called for the Government to re-prioritise public funding from private schools to community policing.
Answers to Parliamentary Questions reveal that up to €3.6 million was spent on capital planning and building for private institutions in 2021/2022. The cost of a 10% increase in community policing would be €3.7 million.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said:
“Once teachers and SNAs salaries have been paid, the State shouldn’t be giving any handouts to private schools that have a fee-paying policy. They have access to this funding – why is the State subsidising their building?
“This money could be better spent on increasing community policing, which would have a number of benefits, including:
- More police on the streets to deter crime and make communities safer
- Increased visibility of the police, which would help to build trust and confidence in the community
- A more proactive approach to policing, which would help to prevent crime from happening in the first place
“We know that community policing is an effective way to reduce crime and make our communities safer,” Ó Ríordáin said. “By re-prioritising funding from private schools to community policing, we can put more police officers on the streets and make a real difference in the lives of people across the country.”
“The choice is clear,” said Ó Ríordáin. I urge the government to choose community policing.”