Funding scheme needed to bring schools up to standard

THE Government should make a long-term spending commitment for the upgrade of hundreds of run-down schools, the Labour Party said yesterday.

Education spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan called for a phased funding programme which would prioritise buildings most in need of repair or replacement. She was launching a Labour leaflet and petition campaign, focusing on the pre-election promises of the Government parties.

“There needs to be a scheme of funding, to bring schools up to standard within an agreed time frame. All urgent cases should be dealt with within five years, and in the next decade all schools should be up to standard,” she said.

Education Minister Noel Dempsey said he hopes to have a five-year spending plan for school buildings within months.

This will be in keeping with the Programme for Government’s commitment to set up a multi-annual Schools Modernisation Fund.

Mr Dempsey said he expected the amount of money would be decided by the middle of the year, so he would know what was available to spend over each of the next five years.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation, which has called for €1.5 billion to be spent on primary schools across five years, welcomed the announcement of a spending plan.

Hundreds of schools will participate this morning in a day of action to call for more Government investment in school buildings.

The parents group Tuismitheoirí le Chéile (TLC) has asked parents, teachers and pupils to hold a one-hour nature walk in their area.