540% increase of schools in need of financial support is a failure of Govt
540% increase of schools in need of financial support is a failure of Govt - The Labour Party
Labour’s education spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has expressed his concern at the failure of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to chart a way towards making education financially sustainable.
Deputy Kenny said:
“The Department of Education is operated in a siloed manner and there appears to be a failure to connect the dots between policy and politics for years. Former Minister for Education Foley failed to work to end the practice of so-called voluntary contributions in schools, and today we learn of the depth of crisis many schools face when it comes to financing.
“The Department of Education seems to be permanently in crisis mode, responding to issues as and when they arise rather than drilling into the measures needed in specific schools. No section of society is immune from the cost of living crisis, and the huge increase in demand for financial supports in schools hammers this point home.
“This is about the failure to provide genuine equality of education across the board.
“Some schools that have contacted me about this across the country have harrowing tales to tell. The FSSU have advised some to set up payment plans with heating and energy companies. In one case, the school was advised to take money out of its Hot Meals account to pay for the back log of bills.
“If we want to give every child a fair start in life, we need to ensure that all school communities have the resources needed to support children. The ongoing cost of running schools must be investigated and reported on by Minister McEntee.”