Rónán Mullen (Independent)

The budget is coming up and the Department of Education and Skills proposes to make savings of €1 billion over the next four years. The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Michael Jackson, has rightly raised the particular needs and issues facing Church of Ireland national schools. He is concerned about the State's long-term commitment to sustained provision of school transport in rural areas. There is a challenge facing Church of Ireland schools if school transport is affected. Parents will perhaps choose schools that are closer to them. If we are only focused on the financial bottom line, there is a danger that we could undermine the texture and diversity of the school system. The archbishop is right to make the point he has made and the Government should heed his concerns and those of the Church of Ireland community in regard to education.