Mayo school row escalates after 'damning' report findings

Castlebar Educate NS ‘hitting a brick wall’ with department

A STUDY commissioned by the board of management of the three campus Castlebar Educate Together NS has been described as ‘damning.’

The assessment was conducted by OMD Design, consultant engineers, into the suitability of the school’s buildings at Marsh House, the old Hat Factory and an upstairs facility off Hopkins Road in the town centre.

Board chairperson Yvonne Coyne told The Connaught Telegraph: “The damning report, which has been sent to the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, reinforces the view of the board, staff and parents that the buildings are not, and have never been, fit for purpose.”

Following engagement with the Department of Education, Minister Foley visited the school in September 2022 and, acknowledging that the buildings were inadequate, promised a new school building would be built.

Early last year the school board forwarded potential public and privately owned brownfield and greenfield sites to the minister’s department as requested.

Ms. Coyne revealed: “There has been no evidence that the department contacted any owners of the lands to further investigate site suitability or that it has its own list of possible sites.

“We are very frustrated that a year and a half on from the minister’s promise, a new school building has not been progressed.

“We are hitting a brick wall when looking for information from the department. Parents and parents of children who would like to attend Educate Together deserve answers and progress.”

Now the school is stepping up its campaign for a promised new school building following eighteen months of deadlock with the department.

The board has organised a public information meeting in the Castlebar Scout Den on Thursday, April 11, from 7.30 to 9 p.m.

“Everyone is welcome and the responses from our Oireachtas members, councillors and candidates has been very supportive”, added Ms. Coyne

The school was opened in temporary accommodation in Cavendish Lane in 2016 with twelve pupils and continued to grow into a three-campus school with 136 pupils today.

The concerns of the school have been articulated in An Seanad by Castlebar Senator Paddy Burke who urged the department to take the necessary steps in identifying a site for a new school building immediately.

Responding on behalf of the minister, Deputy Niall Collins issued an assurance that the department “is working to provide a long-term solution” for the school.

In the interim, he added, the school has been instructed to take cognisance of its existing accommodation when managing its enrolments.