Parents Protest School Kitchen Closure in County Fermanagh

Donagh, County Fermanagh: Parents have been protesting outside St Joseph's Primary School in Donagh following the Education Authority’s (EA) decision to close the school’s kitchen.

School dinners for pupils are now being prepared at a school in Maguiresbridge, around eight miles away, and delivered to St Joseph’s each day by taxi.

School principal Michael Grew described the decision as disappointing and said he hoped it could be reconsidered for the benefit of the school and the wider community.

According to the EA, the decision was taken amid what it described as “unprecedented budgetary pressures”. The authority said it has a responsibility to identify potential savings, including the amalgamation of school kitchens where feasible.

Grew said the school was informed about the outcome of a review of its meal production service only in recent weeks. He said the timing of the decision had come as a major shock to staff, parents and pupils.

Parents and members of the school community have expressed concerns about the impact of the closure on services and activities connected with the school.

Rita Quigley, a classroom assistant and former pupil at St Joseph’s, said the kitchen had been an important part of the school’s daily services. She also raised concerns about the impact of the closure on breakfast club provisions and other food services for pupils.

Joanie, who previously worked in the school kitchen and has grandchildren attending the school, said she believed the closure could have wider effects on the surrounding community and local activities.

Mairead O’Reilly, a member of the school’s board of governors, said the governors had submitted an alternative proposal to the EA. She said the school was seeking greater financial transparency regarding the decision and the potential savings involved.

The EA said it is normal practice to examine whether meals can be provided in a more cost-efficient way when vacant posts cannot be filled or when the number of meals being produced is considered unsustainable.

The authority said the school currently provides 47 meals to pupils, including both paying pupils and those entitled to free school meals. According to the EA, ending the kitchen service would save approximately £36,000 a year.

The EA also said transporting school meals is an established part of its catering service and that around half of all meals are transported across schools in Northern Ireland.

Parents and school representatives are continuing to seek a review of the decision, while the EA has maintained that the change forms part of its wider efforts to manage catering costs and identify potential savings.

Source: Education Authority and school/community representatives