Disadvantaged schools will not be as badly hit

THE impact of planned budget cuts on schools in some of the poorest communities is to be eased after pressure from principals on Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.

The effects on dozens of primary schools designated as having the most disadvantaged pupils may not be as harsh after changes were conceded in response to concerns raised by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and opposition parties this week.

Although the number of teaching posts to be saved is not clear, the Department of Education insisted last night there were unlikely to be additional staffing requirements as it had already set aside unassigned teaching posts for schools likely to be worst affected by last week’s budget. However, it was unable to explain why these arrangements could not, in that case, have been detailed last week to avoid the anger caused by the initial announcement.