TUI has welcomed the announcement of a package of additional supports for island post-primary schools, describing it as a step in the right direction.
The package of additional supports includes:
- Increased teacher allocation for each of the island post-primary schools from its present allocation of 1 whole-time equivalent post to 1.5 whole-time equivalent posts from September 2018
- An additional ring-fenced budget of €15,000 per annum for each post-primary island school to cover their additional operational costs
- The establishment of Coláiste Naomh Eoin, previously designated as a Language Unit (Aonad), as an independent stand-alone school on Inis Meáin, Co Galway. This change in status will result in the appointment of a principal and deputy principal, the establishment of a board of management for Coláiste Naomh Eoin, and the allocation of standard capitation and other grants to Galway/Roscommon ETB for the school.
TUI President Joanne Irwin described the new supports as a significant boost for island communities and said that the Union will continue to campaign for further resources to ensure that island schools can operate on a level playing field.