FG seeks budget boost for primary education

Fine Gael has urged Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy to invest more in primary education in this year’s budget, the details of which will be revealed this afternoon.

The party’s finance spokesman, Jim Mitchell, said: “Young people leaving school with learning difficulties are embarking on a life of disadvantage. We can stop that in 80% of the cases, if we tend to it.” Mr Mitchell also said that he would improve social welfare payments for the elderly.