Schools may challenge grant cuts

THE axing of second-level grants — worth almost €1.3 million in the budget — could be challenged in the courts because they are due to take effect in the middle of the school year.

The organisation representing the boards of almost 400 secondary schools is awaiting legal advice on whether the withdrawal of some grants by Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe would breach the 1998 Education Act.

He announced in the budget that a range of payments to primary and second level schools are being abolished from next year.