Sinn Féin Councillor Thérèse Ruane is deeply concerned about the recent cuts in programmes to the GMIT Castlebar. The bachelor of science in architectural technology is being cut; from this September there will be no intake of first year students to this programme. There had also been a significant reduction in the student intake into general nursing this September, from 40 students to 25.
Cllr Ruane said these cuts are “deeply worrying”. “We’ve already seen the fourth year in heritage studies cut in Castlebar and students have to travel to Galway to continue their degree programme,” she added.
Cllr Ruane also said that “alarm bells are ringing about the overall future of the GMIT in Castlebar, particularly in the context of the recent Bord Snip report”, and said that “we must strongly resist any attempts to downgrade or close the GMIT in Castlebar.”
The councillor concluded by saying: “I am asking for confirmation of these recent cuts from the GMIT and I am calling on the GMIT liaison forum to meet urgently to have a frank and open discussion regarding the recent downgrading of the GMIT and its future in light of the recent McCarthy report.”
