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"Government cock-up leaves schools without caretakers and secretaries - matter must be urgently resolved," says McGrath
Many schools throughout Westmeath will start the new school term without caretakers or secretaries due to a government cock-up, leaving teachers under huge pressure from day one, warned Fine Gael's Deputy Spokesperson on Finance, Paul McGrath T.D.
"Up to now most schools had caretakers and secretaries through the Community Employment Scheme operated by FÁS.
"FÁS is withdrawing from all schools from Monday next and plans to replace FÁS workers are at best sketchy and in many cases non-existent. In spite of Government commitments that the transition would be smooth, failures are now emerging.
"There are serious consequences for schools with enrolments and other clerical 'start of year duties' to be seen to. Also, the long term consequences for school cleaning and maintenance will be disastrous," says Deputy McGrath.
"An urgent meeting must take place between the Tánaiste and the Minister for Education to resolve this matter without delay. The Government has handled this matter badly resulting in schools starting the year without proper and adequate assistants and caretakers. Rural schools will be particularly badly affected and are likely to have no care-taking facilities at all.
"The Department of Education say that they have no idea as to the amount of money available, while the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise appear to have washed her hands of all responsibility.
"This is yet another example of the ineptitude of this Government in dealing with essential services in education, health care, security etc."
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