Galway schools are approved for planning, says Fahey

Written by Deirdre O' Shaughnessy

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

Galway West TD Frank Fahey has hit back at Senator Fidelma Healy Eames’ accusations that he misled the electorate last year in relation to building plans for local schools.

Saying “get your facts right Fidelma”, Deputy Fahey said all the schools he mentioned were approved to go to architectural planning and modernisation works in April 2007.

He criticised what he called Senator Healy Eames’ use of “cheap shots of a political nature”, which he said “won’t further the construction of these schools”.

Showing a list in which six Galway schools (Scoil Iosaif Naofa, Oranmore, Craughwell NS, Scoil Náisúnta Bhríde, Lackagh, Naomh Mhuire, An Gharran, Oranmore, Scoil Mhuire Clarinbridge, and Salerno Salthill) were featured, he said: “It is particularly noticeable that many of the counties on the list have only one school included to go to architectural planning whereas Galway has six schools. They are all in the catchment area of Galway city,” he said.

Three of the schools mentioned are in Senator Healy Eames’ former local electoral area of Oranmore.

According to Deputy Fahey, “The schools are now at the stage for the appointment of a design team which is to happen shortly.”

Menlo NS on the outskirts of the city has also been approved for a major extension and refurbishment, he said, adding that this was outside the original list.

“I would also like to welcome the decision by Galway Diocese to make available one acre of land for the extension of the boys’ school, Scoil Nioclas Naofa Oranmore,” he said.

“I am meeting with officials in the Department of Education next week to discuss the progression of all schools which have been approved.”

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