School says funding unfair

TWO Dublin schools will share the same building from next week but one will have all its rent paid while the other must fork out thousands of euro.

The irony is that Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín has been open more than a year and already has almost 70 pupils. But the new Bracken Educate Together School being opened at short notice from Monday has been promised a site for next year and full funding of its accommodation costs by the Department of Education.

Clodagh Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, principal of Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín, said they are pleased for the progress of the Educate Together school, set up in the last month to cater for more than 100 children who could not be accommodated elsewhere. Both schools are leasing rooms in the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s Sunshine House until next summer, at a cost believed to be more than €50,000 each.

“But what makes us angry is that the Department of Education is only paying 75% of our rent here because we do not have permanent recognition. Even if we secure that recognition next year, we will still pay 5% which will be a few thousand euro,” Ms Mhaoilchiaráin said.

But Department of Education officials gave Educate Together permanent recognition for its new school as well as promising a site for next September.

“There shouldn’t be one rule for one school and different rules for the rest. The money we will pay in rent must be raised by parents, who’ve already run marathons, organised quizzes and other events to keep us going,” she said.

The Gaelscoil is also awaiting permanent recognition from the department before being eligible for the State to find a suitable home.

The Department of Education said its school planning section will consider the school’s permanent recognition when it receives the report of a recent inspection and that it is considering the provision of accommodation for both schools.