THE CHAIRWOMAN of the National Action Plan Against Racism has sharply criticised the pace of Government efforts on social integration, saying it was more intent on cutting budgets and independent bodies than developing a strategic plan to underpin "future harmony".
Addressing a seminar on intercultural education hosted by the Department of Education and the Office of Integration yesterday, Lucy Gaffney accused the department of being very slow in acting on the body's recommendations.
"The time for real action is here. We do not need more policy statements, more photos with children of different backgrounds in various school poses. We need a clear plan of action, a timeline, and key deliverables," she said.
The action plan was initiated in 2005 and its mandate is due to end next month. It has worked to promote the adoption of intercultural strategies and policies across a range of areas, including the health service, the education system and An Garda Síochána.
Ms Gaffney warned that social stability should not be sacrificed for short-term economic gain and that integration should be a central concern of the upcoming budget. She said attitudinal research which her body had intended to carry out had not been completed. It is understood the Government withheld funds for the project.
With the steering group of the action plan due to complete its work next month, its members were still unaware of who would continue such efforts. "The department and the Government seem more intent on cutting budgets and reducing independent bodies than developing a strategic plan that will form the backbone for future harmony and an integrated Ireland," she added.
Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe said the Government's commitment to inclusive education could be seen in the dramatic increase in the number of English language support teachers.
There were now 2,000 of these teachers working in primary and secondary schools, compared to some 260 six years ago.
A new community national school model was being developed to meet the need for "a new form of plurality of provision" and consultations were under way on school enrolment policies, he said.
