“80 Cavan/Monaghan primary schools under threat” – Ó Caoláin

Cavan-Monaghan Deputy and Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin has warned that 80 schools with fewer than 100 pupils in the two counties are under threat from the proposals on education in the McCarthy Report. The so-called ‘Bord Snip Nua’ recommends the closure or merging schools of under 100 pupils, a move Ó Caoláin said would “devastate rural Cavan and Monaghan”.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said:

“The McCarthy report recommends the shutting down or merging of all schools with 100 pupils or less, resulting in the laying off of around 500 teachers. In Counties Cavan and Monaghan this would mean the closure or merging of 80 schools.

“This proposal would devastate rural Ireland, including rural Cavan and Monaghan. The primary school is the heart of every small community. Closures and mergers on this scale will have a huge impact. As well as causing major inconvenience to families, especially given our inadequate school transport system, this move would mean further rural decline, following the closure of local post offices and small retailers.

“The Government has refused to rule out this McCarthy recommendation and if it is allowed to go ahead in the Budget it will see the death of rural schools, larger class sizes, poorer educational standards, redundancy for teachers and higher transport costs.

“The Government’s crazy NAMA plan will cost every man, woman and child €15,000 to bail out bankers and property speculators. This is being given priority over the education of our children.

“We in Sinn Féin will fight tooth and nail to protect our local schools and will campaign vigorously against these and all other education cuts.”