Galway Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has hit out at the government for their "penny pinching" attitude when it comes to education.

Fidelma Healy Eames.

Senator Healy Eames said she was articulating the frustration felt by many schools when it comes to this new attitude, which has recently taken hold within the Department of Education and Science within the last month.

"Up until recently, minor works within a school, such as new doors or windows, could have proceeded on the basis of a departmental official giving approval. I understand from a recent reply given to my colleague, Deputy Brian Hayes by the Minister for Education that his Department is now reviewing every item of expenditure over and above the basic running costs within a school. Up until recently, small items of expenditure were determined speedily, whereas now all expenditure items over €1,000 have to be decided by a special new committee," she said.

"This means that instead of schools getting a quick decision in terms of basic or minor works, virtually all decisions of expenditure are either delayed or put on the long-finger because of this new measure. This will have a serious effect on schools across Galway. If ever the 'dead-hand' of the central Soviet within the Department of Education was felt, it must surely be in relation to this latest initiative. Given the abolition of the Summer Works Scheme for 2008 and this new approach to small scale works, the Minister for Education should recognise that this is now putting Galway schools in a very difficult position to get essential repair works carried out over the summer months."

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