The Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim, Philip McGuigan, has welcomed a £4 million funding package to support substitute teachers which was announced today by party colleague and Finance Minister Conor Murphy.
The support package in total will be worth £12m, £8m from the Department of Education and the remaining £4m mentioned my Philip McGuigan from the Finance Department.
Peter Wier, Education Minister, earlier announcement HERE.
Mr McGuigan said:
“This is an issue that was clearly impacting quite a number of people. Indeed, I had been lobbied by lots of substitute teachers within the breadth of my North Antrim constituency. I had raised this issue directly with the Executive so I clearly welcome today’s announcement of a £4 million funding package by my party colleague, Finance Minister Conor Murphy, to support substitute teachers who are struggling because of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
“With schools closed in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep people safe, many substitute teachers are struggling financially through loss of income.
“Substitute teachers play a key role in our schools and should be supported thought this current health emergency.
“Today’s announcement, in addition to the funding provided by the Department of Education, will be welcomed by substitute teachers across the North.”
