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.