Father Tom Deenihan, General Secretary of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association, expressed his good wishes to Minister Ruairi Quinn on his announcement today that he will resign as Minister for Education and Skills in the forthcoming Cabinet reshuffle, and that he will retire from politics at the next general election.
Father Deenihan said, “Since his appointment in 2011, the CPSMA has enjoyed a professional working relationship with Minister Quinn and with his department officials. The Minister’s availability, commitment and interest in primary education, and specifically in primary management, was evident from the outset. Notwithstanding Minister Quinn’s tenure of office coinciding with a particularly difficult period of economic austerity, his support for students in Catholic primary schools was shown in a number of initiatives including the introduction of a book rental grant to schools, and the restoration of the small works grant. At this time, on behalf of the CPSMA, I wish to pay tribute to the Minister’s energy and determination.”
Father Deenihan continued, “All in Catholic primary school management join with me in wishing Minister Quinn, and his family, every good wish for the future. We look forward to working with the Minister’s successor in supporting Catholic schools in providing a service to the entire community.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The CPSMA is a recognised school management association and represents all the boards of management of the over 2,900 Catholic primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. On behalf of Catholic primary schools, CPSMA advances and promotes their service to the community throughout the State. 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
