Children ‘in danger’ after Government stops grant for schools sports equipment

PRIMARY schools are using old, unsafe sports equipment because the Government has cut its annual funding, teachers warned yesterday.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey said he decided to stop payment of the Physical Education and Sports Grant of €2.5m for this year because of constraints in the last budget.

The scheme gave each school an annual payment of €635 to spend on equipment and coaching, with disadvantaged schools receiving €1,270.