The Minster for Education Batt O’Keeffe adhered to a busy itinerary on Wednesday as he opened three schools and four school extensions in the county.
The Minister’s schedule began with a visit to the new site for Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, before he opened a €406,000 extension at Carrowholly National School and then arrived at St Colmcille’s National School, the Quay, Westport, where he officially cut the ribbon to a €330,000 extension which allowed the school to boast two new classrooms, a library, principal’s and secretary’s office.
John Meaney, principal of the 242 pupil school, welcomed the Minister as well as elected representatives, parents, staff, and pupils — both present and past — and outlined that since 1886 when the school was founded, the community has supported its continued growth through both financial and personal means, and he particularly extended a word of thanks to Seán Staunton, who in 1972 set up a committee to keep the school — which had only 32 children enrolled — from closing, with the subsequent pupil enlargement resulting in the school moving from its old location in 1990 to the present expansive site.
Minister O’Keeffe commended the outstanding history of the school whose “ethos was standing the test of time” and “harnessing community spirit”, and also lauded the commitment the school has to the Green Schools Programme, with the school receiving the flag on two different occasions.
The Minister concluded by saying that the extension and refurbishment will ensure the school’s tradition of excellence can be carried on. Following the blessing of the new extension by Fr Mitchell and Reverend Gary Hastings, Minister O’Keeffe set off to open the €1.4 million new school extension at Carrowkennedy National School, Kilmeena, before continuing his officialdom in Castlebar, Claremorris, Crossmolina, and Lacken Cross.
Criticism from Enda Kenny
However Minister O’Keeffe’s visit to the county came in for criticism from the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny — who was unable to attend the openings due to his representation in the Dáil — and who said that the visit from the Minister should have been rescheduled to a non Dáil sitting day. The Fine Gael TD said that Minister O’Keeffe’s visit amounts to “local electioneering” and in these circumstances involves officials and State resources travelling around Mayo in a “cavalcade to attempt to portray a prosperous and thriving economy,” and that the mileage and officials and other State representatives’ presence all come at a cost to the taxpayer.
Dep Kenny’s statement added that the Minister should have addressed the following problems relevant to Mayo during his visit: Will he reintroduce third level fees? When will the Minister visit Mayo Abbey and Midfield where new schools are awaited? Will he deal with the Deis problems in Killyvally, Craggagh, and other locations in the county? Will he announce that no school will lose a teacher in September? Does Minister O’Keeffe intend to go ahead and charge parents €600 for school transport where two pupils are involved? Why did he not visit Coláiste Mhuire in Tourmakeady where clearly better accommodation is required? Does he appreciate the anger of tax payers when teachers are being withdrawn?
Dep Kenny concluded that the visit “smacks of local elections”.
