Foyle MLA calls for cross-party approach to reverse sporting grant cuts set to affect over 30,000 children

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan has called for a cross-party approach to press the Department of Education to reverse controversial cuts to the Sports Development Grant.

She was speaking after a Sinn Féin delegation met with the GAA Ulster Council, the Foyle MLA urged parties to come together and jointly tackle the cuts affecting over 30,000 children.

The Foyle MLA said: “The intended cuts to the Sports Development Grant will have a severely damaging impact on sporting projects and the thousands of children who benefit from this funding in their local schools.

“The impact will be felt across our society, and this is an issue which has clearly animated several political parties who have been vocal in their opposition.

“This cut is the most recent symptom of relentless Tory austerity, enabled by the unconditional support from the DUP.

“In recent weeks we have very clear made our opposition to this and other education cuts to senior departmental officials. We will continue to do so and to relate the concerns of organisations in the sport and community sector.

“As a cross-community issue with a real impact on the lives of young athletes and on the health and wellbeing of children, I urge all parties to embrace a unified and common-sense approach by lobbying the Department of the Education to reverse these cuts."