Ulster Unionist Party education spokesperson, Danny Kinahan MLA has called on the Minister for Education to justify his decision to approve the establishment of a new Irish language secondary school near Dungiven.
Mr Kinahan said:
“In the middle of a budget crisis, and a talks process, Education Minister John O’Dowd has made a decision to approve the establishment of a new Irish language secondary school. He has done so contrary to the professional guidance of his Departmental officials, and a host of educational experts.
“A development proposal to establish a new Irish medium secondary school near Dungiven has been published on the Department’s website. After having read the 63 page report, I am utterly at a loss to understand how Minister O’Dowd has made his decision to approve Coláiste Dhoire.
“A Government Minister has a duty and responsibility to make rational decisions for the benefit of society as a whole, taking due consideration of the need to be responsible in spending taxpayers’ money. If a Minister decides to disregard advice from his Departmental officials, he needs to have solid, defensible grounds for doing so. In this example, the Minister for Education needs to state clearly what the basis for his decision is.
“The Western Education and Library Board, the Education & Training Inspectorate and the Department of Education itself have all said that the proposal is neither affordable nor viable. St Patrick’s College in nearby Maghera provides an Irish language Unit and they also have objected to the new school proposal. Damningly, even the Ministerial Advisory Group, which published a report last month reviewing Irish Medium Education, has said that approval of this proposal flouts its recommendations.
“The projected initial intake of 15 is ridiculously low for a secondary school. It has been estimated that approximately 11 double mobile classrooms will be required at a cost of approximately £600,000 (plus VAT) per year, with specialised accommodation increasing the cost. The school’s estimated first year deficit is around £100,000 and this will have to be carried forward to subsequent years. How on earth can this been approved when the Minister is pleading poverty?. He is facing a funding gap of £162.5m in next year’s budget, with 2,500 teaching and support staff jobs under threat of being cut by April 2015.
“Minister O’Dowd must justify his decision. He appears to have ignored not only his officials, but a raft of Departmental policies- including Sustainable Schools and Area Planning. This is an extremely serious situation and the Minister must be held accountable for his actions.”
ENDS
Link to development proposal
http://www.deni.gov.uk/dp_264_-_submission.pdf
Andy Wilson
02890 521874
Ulster Unionist Party Press Office
Room 214, Parliament Buildings
Stormont
BT4 3XX