Councillors express alarm about GMIT redeployment fears

Fresh fears have surfaced about the future of the Mayo campus of GMIT.

This follows a claim today (Tueday) that up to 15 staff at the Castlebar complex have been informed they will be redeployed to Galway in the next academic year.

Councillor Jarlath Munnelly proposed at a meeting of Mayo County Council this afternoon that the council immediately contact the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) demanding that they instruct GMIT management not to implement any redeployment of staff while a review is underway by the HEA of the facility.

The proposal was unanimously supported.

Councillors also agreed to meet in emergency session before the end of this week to see what can be done to ensure the future of the Mayo campus.

While agreeing with the sentiments expressed by Councillor Munnelly, council chief executive Peter Hynes explained that as councillors they cannot interfere with the operation of an educational institution such as GMIT.

Mr. Hynes stressed the importance of GMIT to the county and the entire region.