Local TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, has announced that the Department of Education have provided funding to ensure that those on the waiting list for Junior Infants in Scoil íosa, Oranmore, will have a place for the next school term. This will involve the provision of over €60,000 to renovate the old school building.
“I was contacted by school management of Scoil íosa In Oranmore in recent months and made aware that there were at least 23 children without a place in primary school for the forthcoming school year,@ said Minister Naughton.
“This was obviously unacceptable. I subsequently entered into discussions with the Department of Education and made them aware of the prospect of parents with young children from Oranmore having to secure primary school places outside the area. While I accept that there is a huge demographic challenge nationwide, we must work harder to provide school places,” the Minister said.
“While Oranmore is located just 7km from Galway City Centre, it is a very vibrant town in and of itself. We need to keep that character and, to do that, we must ensure that children can attend local schools,” she added.
“While I accept the necessity to amalgamate Scoil Mhuire and Scoil Iósaif Naofa, the process needs to be far more streamlined. While I was happy to provide a solution in this instance, I have emphasised to the Department the need for regular engagement and speedier decisions.
“The Board of Management contacted the Department with a ready solution months ago and only now, after my intervention, have the necessary decisions been made.
“Oranmore is one of the fastest growing residential areas in the country. Among other capital projects, I have previously provided funding to redevelop the Train Station and works to fix flooding on the Coast Road, however, the basics cannot be ignored. At a minimum, we need to ensure that school places are available to our children, and I was very happy to ensure this happened,” she concluded.
