Search Results for 'Ruairi Quinn'

Census figures showing that Clifden is the fastest growing town in Connacht provide further strong evidence that a purpose-built facility is needed as a matter of urgency to cater for the educational needs of North Connemara, that is according to Fine Gael Galway West TD Seán Kyne, who is calling on the Minister of Education to re-evaluate his department’s plans for education provision in the area.

Fine Gael senator Fidelma Healy Eames’ criticism of the Government’s policy on small rural schools “as poorly thought out and detrimental to the survival of rural areas” has been hailed as “courageous” by Éamon Ó Cuiv.

Labour will not be allowed enjoy celebrating its centenary when the party holds its 65th convention in Galway this weekend, as the event is set to attract protests from far left groups, rural communities, peace groups, the unemployed, and health campaigners.

Early last year when Labour decided to hold this year’s centenary conference in Galway, they could not have foreseen just how different the picture would be. They had just been elected into power along with Fine Gael on a tidal wave of dissent against the incumbent incompetents. They had elected many new TDs, bright young things whom it seemed had lots to offer the party in this new coalition. Here in Galway, we provided two of them — Derek Nolan and Colm Keaveney — and they represented a refreshing change, and in the Seanad, Lorraine Higgins has also been groomed for greater things. Happy days for Labour in Government and in Galway.

Primary schools are “not a business” and treating them as such will be to the detriment of children’s education with consequences that will be felt for years to come, warned Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) Galway branch secretary Michael Gallagher.

The Department of Education will hold a meeting with Galway city primary school principals regarding the need for a new primary school in the Knocknacarra area.

The Five Year School Building Programme announced recently by Education and Skills Minister Ruairi Quinn has been under heavy criticism this week with many describing the exclusion of Clifden Community School as shocking and anti-rural.

The admission system parents need to go through to secure a place for their children in secondary schools is “flawed”, costly, and in some cases “unaffordable” and needs to be changed.

There are better ways to meet the needs of small rural schools and the savings that need to be made by the Department of Education than through Ruairi Quinn’s current plans.

This time last year Ireland was convulsed – and horrified – by some of the most chaotic political scenes in living memory as the Cowen government disintegrated.