Welcoming the announcement, Father Tom Deenihan, the General
Secretary of the CPSMA, said: “This had been a major issue for schools
over the past number of years throughout the country and had, in many
cases, resulted in parish communities subventing and, in some cases,
financing necessary repairs to and extensions of Catholic primary
schools from the Sunday collection in the local parish.
The CPSMA, with
many other parties, had campaigned for this reintroduction in its
pre-budget submission and we welcome this announcement. It is our hope
that this grant will remain for future years.
“Minister Quinn’s announcement will bring relief to the thousands of
Board Members of Catholic Primary Schools who give of their time
voluntarily in managing primary schools. It is a fact that board
members struggle to manage budgets to ensure that the school functions
in a suitable building. This grant will allow schools to complete
necessary repairs and larger projects. The restoration of the grant
will also provide much needed business to local contractors and will,
therefore, have a multiplier effect in local economies.”