Louth schools 'failed again' as DEIS Plus appeals rejected- Byrne
Sinn Fein’s Joanna Byrne TD said: “The three government party representatives in this constituency have some serious explaining to do.”
Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath Joanna Byrne said she is “outraged” at the Minister for Education's decision exclude Drogheda schools from DEIS plus status.
Following the notification of the appeal outcome to schools Deputy Byrne stated:
“This news is devastating for the schools in Drogheda who have been left waiting for the outcome of an appeal process, which in my view was little more than a PR exercise.
“I have written to the Minister for Education today requesting an urgent meeting and made no bones about my feelings about this decision and the impact it has on school communities in the constituency.
“After months of submitting questions, tabling Dáil debates, sending endless correspondence, and making multiple requests for Ministers to meet and engage with schools in Drogheda it is deplorable that the Government have dropped this news as schools are closed for summer, and the Dáil is in recess.
“Schools like St Paul’s and St John’s are a literal lifeline for children and families in communities who are experiencing profound disadvantage and deprivation. It is hugely concerning that the Minister for Education chooses to simply ignore the HP Deprivation index and the Geiran report which recommended the highest levels of DEIS supports for Drogheda.
“This Government’s attitude to Drogheda schools has to change if they are genuinely serious about their commitment to tackling and addressing systemic disadvantage, or investing in communities.
“The three government party representatives in this constituency have some serious explaining to do locally.
“Parents and families have had enough of listening to their Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael politicians cheering community investment when it suits - but staying completely silent when their own Ministers deny DEIS plus investment.
“Working class communities in Drogheda deserve better and I’m now calling on all Louth Oireachtas members to join the campaign for DEIS plus in Drogheda.
“This decision is wrong, and must be reversed. While the Dáil might be in recess this is far from over, and I’ll be working closely with local school leaders to plan the next steps.”