Clare’s Labour TD has accused local teaching representatives of exaggerating the impact of government cuts to rural schools.
Deputy Michael McNamara has told the Dail that no more than two of Clare’s small schools are to lose a teaching post this September, despite claims from teachers’ unions earlier this year that a fifth of the county’s schools were set to be hit.
While admitting that it is regrettable for any school to lose a teacher, he’s also insisted that the primary education sector cannot be immune from cutbacks.
Deputy McNamara insisted the impact of the move has been kept to a minimum, and that schools have been given every chance to earn a reprieve through the government’s appeals system.