Madam, - Judging from the account in your edition of December 24th, the recent report on primary schools by Department of Education inspectors makes grim reading indeed.
Despite a prolonged period of unprecedented economic prosperity during which Government coffers were full to overflowing, we now have the scandal that almost half the schools covered by the report operated from inadequate buildings with a severe lack of toilet facilities and general-purpose rooms, not to mention many other shortcomings in the system.
This deplorable situation speaks volumes for the priorities of our Government, which has now been in power for over five years. It is obvious that the policies pursued (and being pursued) have resulted in the criminal neglect of primary education which should be given top priority as it is the foundation for the development of future generations.
While the "Celtic Tiger" has made a small number of people obscenely rich, we seem to be as far away as ever from cherishing all the children of the nation equally. - Yours, etc.,
M. D. KENNEDY,
Silchester Park,
Glenageary,
Co Dublin.