Menu
17/10/2018
Sinn Fein MLA Responds To 'Scaremongering' Claim
A Sinn Fein MLA has hit back at criticism for allegedly accusing teachers in L'Derry of scaremongering parents over funding cuts.
Principals of several schools in the city sent a joint letter to parents, outlining the lack of support and funding available and the threat it places on the quality of education being delivered.
Foyle MLA Karen Mullan responded with her own letter, addressed to the principals, which was later posted on Twitter.
"I like parents and school principals am fully supportive of the request for greater funding to go to education," Mrs Mullan wrote.
"There has been no lack of political support from myself or my party colleagues when it comes to arguing for greater financial support for children.
"While I recognise some schools are facing significant pressures it is important to point out that not all schools are experiencing the issues highlighted in the letter. Such broad and sweeping assertions have the potential to cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for parents."
In response to Mrs Mullan's letter, SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said: "How dare Sinn Fein accuse our teachers of scaremongering?
"So Sinn Fein think they know better than our teachers and principals who are trying to run schools with huge cuts to budgets, often spending from their own pockets, in deteriorating conditions!
"Redundancies at an all time high no capacity for recruitment, not to mention the huge issues with schools maintenance!
"When was the last time Sinn Fein even visited a school?"
Karen Mullan has since responded to the claims by tweeting out the letter with an additional paragraph that was included on the second page.
In her tweet she said: "At no stage did I tell anyone to stop scaremongering. I reiterated my wholehearted support for schools facing sustained ToryDUP cuts & pointed out the most effective solution."
On the second page of the letter, Mrs Mullan wrote: "I and my colleagues will continue to make the case for greater resources for public services and particularly for education. I would appreciate if you could respond and give me a detailed breakdown on the issues that are impacting on teaching and learning in your school and I will make contact with DE and the Education Authority on your behalf."
(JG)
Principals of several schools in the city sent a joint letter to parents, outlining the lack of support and funding available and the threat it places on the quality of education being delivered.
Foyle MLA Karen Mullan responded with her own letter, addressed to the principals, which was later posted on Twitter.
"I like parents and school principals am fully supportive of the request for greater funding to go to education," Mrs Mullan wrote.
"There has been no lack of political support from myself or my party colleagues when it comes to arguing for greater financial support for children.
"While I recognise some schools are facing significant pressures it is important to point out that not all schools are experiencing the issues highlighted in the letter. Such broad and sweeping assertions have the potential to cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for parents."
In response to Mrs Mullan's letter, SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan said: "How dare Sinn Fein accuse our teachers of scaremongering?
"So Sinn Fein think they know better than our teachers and principals who are trying to run schools with huge cuts to budgets, often spending from their own pockets, in deteriorating conditions!
"Redundancies at an all time high no capacity for recruitment, not to mention the huge issues with schools maintenance!
"When was the last time Sinn Fein even visited a school?"
Karen Mullan has since responded to the claims by tweeting out the letter with an additional paragraph that was included on the second page.
In her tweet she said: "At no stage did I tell anyone to stop scaremongering. I reiterated my wholehearted support for schools facing sustained ToryDUP cuts & pointed out the most effective solution."
On the second page of the letter, Mrs Mullan wrote: "I and my colleagues will continue to make the case for greater resources for public services and particularly for education. I would appreciate if you could respond and give me a detailed breakdown on the issues that are impacting on teaching and learning in your school and I will make contact with DE and the Education Authority on your behalf."
(JG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 April 2005
IRA to respond to Adams’ letter in ‘due course’
The IRA has said it will consider the letter sent to its leadership by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams “in due course” In a letter sent to the leadership of the republican group, and released to the media on Wednesday, Mr Adams praised the IRA for keeping “every commitment made by its leadership” since its ceasefire announcement in 1994.
IRA to respond to Adams’ letter in ‘due course’
The IRA has said it will consider the letter sent to its leadership by Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams “in due course” In a letter sent to the leadership of the republican group, and released to the media on Wednesday, Mr Adams praised the IRA for keeping “every commitment made by its leadership” since its ceasefire announcement in 1994.
30 March 2007
DUP member resigns over power-sharing decision
A founding member of the Democratic Unionist Party has resigned following the party’s decision to share power with Sinn Fein. Roy Gillespie is the third member to resign in recent weeks. Confirmation that Mr Gillespie and his wife Ruby were leaving the party was provided in a letter sent to Ian Paisley Jr.
DUP member resigns over power-sharing decision
A founding member of the Democratic Unionist Party has resigned following the party’s decision to share power with Sinn Fein. Roy Gillespie is the third member to resign in recent weeks. Confirmation that Mr Gillespie and his wife Ruby were leaving the party was provided in a letter sent to Ian Paisley Jr.
11 October 2002
Haass urged to act against 'destruction of GFA'
The heads of some of Irish America's most influential lobby groups have written to President Bush's special advisor on Northern Ireland, urging him to intervene against what they described as the "attempted destruction of the Good Friday Agreement by the Ulster Unionist Party".
Haass urged to act against 'destruction of GFA'
The heads of some of Irish America's most influential lobby groups have written to President Bush's special advisor on Northern Ireland, urging him to intervene against what they described as the "attempted destruction of the Good Friday Agreement by the Ulster Unionist Party".
10 February 2005
SF members sanctioned robbery – IMC report
The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said the IRA was behind last December’s Northern Bank robbery and that senior members of Sinn Fein had sanctioned the raid. In it’s fourth report, specially published as a result of the £26.
SF members sanctioned robbery – IMC report
The International Monitoring Commission (IMC) has said the IRA was behind last December’s Northern Bank robbery and that senior members of Sinn Fein had sanctioned the raid. In it’s fourth report, specially published as a result of the £26.
27 May 2003
Sinn Fein launch collusion dossier
Sinn Féin have launched a document aimed at highlighting specific alleged collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and security forces. It emergerdf that the document was presented to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during Saturday's talks between the Irish Government and the Sinn Fein leadership.
Sinn Fein launch collusion dossier
Sinn Féin have launched a document aimed at highlighting specific alleged collusion between loyalist paramilitaries and security forces. It emergerdf that the document was presented to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern during Saturday's talks between the Irish Government and the Sinn Fein leadership.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
