Mayo senator wants GMIT chiefs to appear before Oireachtas committee

MAYO Fine Gael Mayo Senator Michelle Mulherin has written to the chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills to highlight her concerns regarding the Mayo campus of GMIT.

The Ballina-based representative elaborated: “I have written to Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin to request that GMIT management be invited to appear before the committee.

“This is an issue of enormous concern for the people of Mayo. The GMIT Mayo Campus at Castlebar has offered many people living in the region the opportunity to undertake third level studies who otherwise would have been unable to do so.

“A strong and vibrant Mayo campus has an essential role in the plans for economic growth, investment and jobs for the west region.

“I have repeatedly highlighted my concerns regarding the downgrading of the campus. The serious budget deficit and declining student numbers on certain courses at the Castlebar campus needs to be addressed.

“An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, and the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, recently set up a working group to establish a plan of action to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Mayo campus of GMIT for the future, in keeping with government plans.

“This is due to report in September, but in the meantime I would like to see GMIT management set out in no uncertain terms, their commitment to the Castlebar campus.”