KILLEEN SAYS THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO REDUCING PRIMARY CLASS SIZES
The Government remains committed to increasing resources for special education and reducing primary school class sizes, according to Minister for Labour Affairs and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen. The Minister's comments follow the announcement by Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D. that over EUR3.6M has been approved for building projects in ten schools around Clare.
(Media-Newswire.com) - County Clare, IRELAND, 5th March 2007 – The Government remains committed to increasing resources for special education and reducing primary school class sizes, according to Minister for Labour Affairs and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen. The Minister's comments follow the announcement by Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, T.D. that over EUR3.6M has been approved for building projects in ten schools around Clare.
Minister Killeen continued, "Today's announcement, which has been made under the devolved accommodation programmes, enables Clare's schools to manage their own projects in delivering on additional accommodation they themselves have identified as being required. The funding allocation of EUR3,612,000 will allow for the provision of additional classrooms and rooms for special education, therefore contributing to a reduction in class sizes. The various projects, which have been identified by the schools in question, will also lead to a modernisation of school buildings and facilities."
Minister Killeen said he was delighted to learn that St Flannan's NS in Inagh is to benefit from today's announcement. "St. Flannan's National School currently boasts a first-class autism unit which provides an invaluable service to Inagh and surrounding areas. I have made numerous representations on behalf of the School in the past and I am delighted to see that it is to benefit under the Government’s permanent accommodation scheme", Minister Killeen said.
“Under the Small Schools Scheme, there is a good geographical spread of schools. The funding allocation will allow for modernisation works to take place at Rineen NS, Ruan Central NS, Kilnamona NS, Clooney NS, Clondrinagh NS, Ballycar NS, St Augustine's NS in Kilshanny, St Cronan's NS and Cree NS. All the schools approved for funding under these initiatives will be contacted directly by the Building Unit of the Department of Education and Science with details of the grant aid being provided and instructions on how to proceed”, Minister Killeen added.
The devolved accommodation programmes were originally launched in 2003 and involved some 40 schools initially. Each year since then the numbers of schools undertaking these projects has increased year on year, to the current position where 250 schools are participating in the 2007 programme.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor: - Minister Killeen is available for interview and may be contacted on 0035387-2525304 or tony_killeen@entemp.ie. Alternatively, please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 0035386-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com. Pics are available on request. - Mr. Tony Killeen was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the 29th September 2004. Political Record: Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science 2002 - 2004. Member Committee on Procedure and Privileges 1992-2002. Former Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Members' Interests in Dáil Éireann. Member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Body 1997-2004. Member of Clare County Council 1985 - 1997 ( Chairman 1989 - 1991, Vice-Chairman 1987 - 89 ). Chairman Co. Clare VEC ( 1991 - 1994 ). Former National Chairman of Fianna Fáil Councillors Association. Former member of Management Boards of Killaloe and Shannon Community Schools and Limerick R.T.C. Founder member Shannon Status Committee and Chairman 1989 - 1991.
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