16 October 2026

SDLP Ballyarnett Councillor Catherine McDaid has slammed advice that children should “wear more clothes” in schools due to high energy costs.

She was speaking at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Health and Communities Committee on Thursday.

It follows a letter from Education Authority to schools earlier this month.

Councillor McDaid said:

“School budgets have been absolutely cut to the bone. We have seen classroom numbers increase, teachers and staff asked to do more and more and now the EA are saying that there is no money to heat schools heading into winter. Many schools in Derry have been crying out for repairs for years, now the EA is trying to ration heat and electricity.

“This is a ridiculous situation that is causing real concern among parents and staff. No parent wants to send their child into a potentially cold school, worrying about them and their health and staff shouldn’t have to put up with it either. Telling them to wear more clothes is up there with ‘let them eat cake’ when it comes to detachment from the reality of the situation.

“The situation in our schools is becoming increasingly serious. Staff are tired and overworked, many are dipping into their own pockets to pay for the most basic of supplies and ensure pupils don’t lose out, the school estate itself is crumbling and the response from the EA has been pathetic. I wish I could say I was surprised but this is what we’ve come to expect from the EA and an Education Minister more concerned with imposing his own will on our education system than keeping children and staff warm and safe in schools.”