Local Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten has accused the Government of playing politics with the education of children after it revealed that the Cloonakilla NS project is not a priority within the Department of Education because it is not considered to be in a rapidly developing area.
Deputy Naughten pointed out this week that although the Bealnamulla/ Monksland area is growing at 14 times the rate of Athlone town and its environs, Athlone has been identified as a rapidly developing area whereas Bealnamulla has not.
"This is extremely frustrating when one looks at the fact that at the last census in the Athlone West Rural DED, which Cloonakilla NS services, there was a 38 per cent increase in the population, yet it has been stated that Bealnamulla/ Monksland is not in a rapidly developing area.
"Athlone has a population increase in the town and its environs of just 2.5 per cent, yet according to local Minister Michael Finneran speaking in the Dáil ‘the developing areas unit of the Department of Education and Science has identified the town as an area of rapid development’,” said Deputy Naughten.
"It is totally unacceptable that an area that has grown at 14 times the rate of the town of Athlone is excluded but the town itself is included by the Government as an 'area of rapid development'."
Deputy Naughten is now calling on the Minister for Education, Bat O’Keeffe, to visit Cloonakilla to witness at first hand the need for the improved school facilities.
"The fact is that the school is in one of the fastest growing population areas in the county and the children, staff, and parents of Cloonakilla NS have to endure unacceptable conditions due to the lack of priority within the Department of Education.
“How can anyone accept the current definition that the Monksland/ Bealnamulla community is not an ‘area of rapid development’? All you have to do is take one look at the scale of development over the last number of years.
“I am urging the Minister for Education to come and see the area for himself, and ensure that the school and its pupils get the priority they deserve,” he said.
