Schools may be forced to close

SOME schools could be forced to close after the latest cut to their day-to-day funding by 5% next year, a management group has warned.

More than €22 million a year will be saved by the cut to a range of grants for schools, including the capitation grant allocated to primary and second level schools based on student numbers.

The funds are used for the maintenance of schools, lighting and heating, purchase of classroom materials, as well as other supports for caretakers and secretaries.