Martin Kenny TD calls on Government for new school campus in Carrick-on-Shannon

Sinn Féin TD for Sligo Leitrim Martin Kenny has again raised the need for a new school campus for Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon as part of Ministers Questions.  

The matter was raised directly with Fianna Fáil Education Minister Norma Foley last week in the Dáil, however no commitment from the Minister was given to expediate the case.   

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said, “This is something I have been calling for repeatedly over the last number of years, and those in Scoil Mhuire have been campaigning for a new campus for more than a decade at this stage.  

Despite the growing number of technical and engineer reports, and meetings with the Department of Education, there is still no movement towards improvement.

“A number of serious concerns have been identified with the current campus, which is split over two locations. This includes the presence of asbestos, water leaks, cramped conditions, and classrooms that are simply too small.

“Many of the experts who have visited the school campus agree that the only viable option for this school is to relocate and build on a new greenfield site. Leitrim County Council are also onboard to support the school with identifying a new site and are open to assisting Scoil Mhuire in any way they can. 

“The hold-up we are facing here is with the Department of Education. When I raised this on the floor of the Dáil last week, the Minister simply listed off the funding she had provided to different schools around the country. She failed to mention that Scoil Mhuire had not benefited from this. 

“I am hopeful that a meeting will take place in the coming weeks between the Department of Education and the school patrons.  This meeting will leave Departmental officials in no doubt that Scoil Mhuire needs and deserves a new school campus. This meeting needs to happen as quickly as possible, and I pressed this point directly with the Minister. 

“Scoil Mhuire is such a vibrant school community, where numbers continue to grow. Experts, parents, engineers and representatives are all in agreement about the need for a new campus – it is now up to the Minister and her officials to get moving on this.”