TD and former Minister disappointed for gaelscoil after school funding news
November 19, 2015
Former MEP, Minister and TD Pat “The Cope” Gallagher and Deputy Thomas Pringle, have responded with disappointment to the recent announcement that Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí will not be getting any school funding until 2019.
Many Donegal schools have now been informed that they will receive Capital Grant Programme funding in 2016, such as Glenswilly National School, but the gaelscoil wont see a cent for years, despite the fact that they have already obtained planning permission.
The site the gaelscoil has permission to build on is owned by the Department of Education and is fully serviced with water, sewerage and electricity facilities. Deputy Pringle said, “Despite the many representations I have made on the school’s behalf and the urgent need for permanent accommodation, the school has not been granted the much needed funding to allow building to commence.”
He continued to say, “It’s clear the Government lacks a balanced approach to investment in education. I don’t know how a school that has been in temporary accommodation for 17 years with pre-fab classrooms for several of those years is not prioritised under this new programme.”
Pringle believes that the government has a lot of making up to do after years of under-investment in Donegal’s schools. “This should have been reflected in the programme through a timely and tailored funding schedule targeting the accommodation needs of schools like Gaelscoil Máistrí,” he concluded.
Pat “The Cope” Gallagher also thinks that the school is at a “major disadvantage” due to the lack of a proper building. He said, “Now that the decision in principle has been taken, every effort must be made to bring the commencement forward.”
