CPSMA welcomes restoration of grant schemes for schools
The Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA) has this morning welcomed the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn’s announcement concerning the restoration of the Small Works Grant and the Summer Works Scheme.
Welcoming the announcement, Father Tom Deenihan, the General Secretary of the CPSMA, said: “This had been a major issue for schools over the past number of years throughout the country and had, in many cases, resulted in parish communities subventing and, in some cases, financing necessary repairs to and extensions of Catholic primary schools from the Sunday collection in the local parish. The CPSMA, with many other parties, had campaigned for this reintroduction in its pre-budget submission and we welcome this announcement. It is our hope that this grant will remain for future years.
“Minister Quinn’s announcement will bring relief to the thousands of Board Members of Catholic Primary Schools who give of their time voluntarily in managing primary schools. It is a fact that board members struggle to manage budgets to ensure that the school functions in a suitable building. This grant will allow schools to complete necessary repairs and larger projects. The restoration of the grant will also provide much needed business to local contractors and will, therefore, have a multiplier effect in local economies.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The CPSMA is the recognised school management association and represents all the boards of management of the over 2,900 Catholic primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Mrs Maria Spring is the chairperson of the CPSMA. See www.cpsma.ie
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Brenda Drumm 00353 (0) 87 310 4444
