Integratedprojects facingswingeing cuts

A DECISION to cut funding for school cross-community projects by 70 per cent from £3.5m to £1.5m will be a major set back to efforts at eliminating hate and promoting good relations, says a local assembly member.

SDLP MLA Mary Bradley said that to create a society based on a shared future schools are in a unique position to counteract negative views such as the hate, bigotry and prejudice that exist in our society.

Speaking during a debate on Education Minister Caitrona Ruane’s decision to introduce significant cuts to her Department’s community

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relations budget for 2010-11 the Londonderry MLA said schools have an important role to play in shaping people’s views.

“The SDLP also fears that the cuts will end up costing more in the long term,” she commented. “Cross-community work pays multiple dividends in hard cash saved as we gradually reduce the impact of division and sectarian violence.

“The Community Relations Council (CRC) has described the importance of cross-community projects. They can provide our young people with the skills to resist the sectarianism and racism that unfortunately still exist in our society.

“The council strongly believes that teaching and practicing good relations in all schools is something that can no longer be avoided or seen as optional.”

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She attacked the dominant parties for what she described as their failure to lead on the issue.

“The DUP and Sinn Fin grudgingly produced a cohesion, sharing and integration strategy, which provides no practical leadership at all. Indeed, all it really did was push responsibility back to Departments for the production of ideas on a shared future,2 she said.

“We now know what Caitrona Ruane’s contribution will be: a 70 per cent cut in the community relations budget from 3.5 million to 1.5 million. She and her Department have no intention of taking their responsibilities seriously.

“If our society is ever to be free of the legacy of the past, the Minister must reconsider her decision and reintroduce to the community relations budget what is due to it to do the work that we need for our young people.”

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In response to concerns raised the Minister said the cuts needed to be seen in the context of protecting front line services.

She said: “One significant way of achieving better community relations is ensuring that the 11,000 people who leave our schools without

the necessary qualifications are addressed.

“We must ensure that the programme that we are putting in place continues, because that one action will make a significant difference.

“We cannot afford a situation in which our young people are leaving school without qualifications.”

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She added: “In 2010-11, current expenditure for education has increased by 1.9% to just over 1.9 billion, but, faced with meeting the efficiencies that are required by the Executive, I have had to balance a range of education priorities against the need to achieve efficiencies.

“My priority has been to protect front line services and to ensure that the needs of those who are most disadvantaged continue to be at the forefront.”

And later: “Faced with decisions about whether to reduce the community relations programme or reduce money going into the classroom, where there are already opportunities to address that work, I have concluded that the latter is preferable and more sustainable.”

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