The threat of cutbacks to schools and the importance
of ensuring that 1913-1922 centenary commemorations be sensitive to all
traditions on the island were among issues raised by a Church of Ireland
delegation at a meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other members of
the Government.
It was the first such meeting between the
Church of Ireland and this Government.
Led by Archbishop of Dublin
Michael Jackson, the delegation spoke of its concern at Government
policy on small schools and the forthcoming value for money report.
They
emphasised that if the suggested figure of 86 pupils was used as a
baseline to define a small school, 120 (60 per cent) of Protestant
primary schools would be affected.
They underlined the importance of the Protestant block grant to Church of Ireland secondary school students and their parents.