DONEGAL TD Charlie McConalogue has launched a scathing attack on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn over cuts to rural schools.
The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Children says Mr Quinn is guilty of hypocrisy in targeting small schools for severe cuts this year while also pushing for greater plurality of patronage at primary level.
The Donegal North East TD claimed: “Minister Quinn talks about the need for plurality in our patronage system, and I strongly agree with this. Yet his decision in Budget 2012 to target small schools for severe staff cuts this year will have a significant impact on minority faith schools and potentially result in their closure.
“There are 200 Protestant primary schools in the State: 174 Church of Ireland, 24 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist and 2 Quaker. A quarter of these schools have less than 30 pupils and most are dispersed around the country with many in remote, rural areas. Representatives of the Church of Ireland have said that up to 75% of their schools could close as a result of cuts to small schools.
“How can Minister Quinn say he is working to achieving greater plurality, while refusing to reverse a decision that will pull resources from minority faith schools and threaten their very existence?
“The report from the Forum on Patronage published this week clearly recommends leaving small rural schools alone. It says that a change of patronage should only be considered in areas where there is a stable population and a demand for diversity of schools. This recommendation on rural schools is in total conflict with the Minister’s plans to cut resources for small rural schools. The Minister must accept this recommendation and leave small schools alone.”
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