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Leitrim school is facing 'intolerable conditions', says local Senator
Exclusion of schools in Sligo and Leitrim demonstrates lack of Government investment in the North West Sligo one of only four counties with no projects, while there is no relief for the pupils of Carrick-on-Shannon, says local Senator
Students from Ursuline College, Sligo in Leinster House with Senator Cosgrove
Reporter:
Claire Corrigan
29 Jan 2026 12:30 PM
Sligo-Leitrim Senator, Nessa Cosgrove has hit out at the Government for failing to address the urgent needs of three local schools on a list of priority projects issued by the Department of Education this week.
Speaking just 24 hours after she welcomed students from one of the three schools, Ursuline College, Sligo to Leinster House, Senator Cosgrove said: "To say I am disappointed at the exclusion of three vital school projects in our area from the Minister for Education’s priority list is an understatement. If I feel like this, can you imagine the disappointment, disillusionment and frustration of the students, staff, parents and BOM members of these schools?"
She continued: "Since being elected to the Seanad, just 12 months ago, I have contacted the Minister for Education on many occasions, both in writing and from the floor of the Seanad to make her aware of the intolerable conditions being faced by the pupils and staff not only in the Ursuline College, Sligo, but also Gaelscoil, Chnoc na Ré and Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon. Each one of these three schools has a need for a new school building which is at least as great as any other school in the country."
She went on to say that Scoil Mhuire is a school based across two campuses in "cramped conditions without adequate place for the children to even play or exercise on a wet day. They have been campaigning for a new school since the boys and girls schools amalgamated in 2013, nearly 13 years ago."
She added: "I have to ask myself what does it take to get these schools prioritised? Mould, and the associated health risks, of children sitting in cold, damp classrooms day after day? A serious accident? The roof to fly off? Clearly, considering the large sums that these schools are spending on temporary classrooms, heating and repairs, money obviously is not an issue for the Department. In the medium to long term alone, huge amounts of money would be saved by making the decision to provide these new schools."
She continued: "If you look at a map of the counties where the most investment has gone, we see a huge number of schools in Cork, the Taoiseach’s constituency and nearly 10% in Galway, the Minister for Education’s own area. Sligo is alone with Cavan, Mayo and Westmeath in not having a single project located in the County. Leitrim has only a single extension to Carrick Post-Primary to boast. It is time for the people of Sligo-Leitrim to realise, despite electing three Government TDs we barely even qualify to receive the scraps from the table.”
The Labour Party Spokesperson on Rural Development concluded: "Our region needs investment in transport, in services and in education. Without this essential investment, our region will never achieve its potential. I am calling on everyone, but particularly our three Government TDs to send a message to the Cabinet, to deliver what our region needs and what has been promised."
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