Galway-based Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has hit out at Deputy Frank Fahey following revelations in this paper last week that a number of the county's schools scheduled for building works have not yet been finalised for building,

Deputy Frank Fahey.

Senator Healy Eames said she was shocked that "all these local school communities may have been deceived by Deputy Frank Fahey's announcement prior to last year's general election."

"This is a terrible example of playing cheap politics with people's emotions and needs in the weeks immediately preceding the general election last May," she said.

National schools at Lackagh, Maree, Oranmore and Clarinbridge were told last year that they would be listed for building works, but the most recent list released by the Department of Education concentrated on the Dublin area.

Principal of Lackagh NS, Michael Lydon, told the Galway Independent that school management is hoping to meet Minister Hanafin as soon as possible as there is now no time frame for provision of the school's new building.

Schools in other locations around the country have been told that another list will be released before Easter. However, there has been no mention of this in relation to the Galway schools.

"It is outrageous to think that parents and children in my local community at Maree, Oranmore, Clarinbridge and Lackagh national schools may have been fooled into believing that their much-needed school extensions or renovations were fully approved to go to planning by Minister Hanafin and the Dept of Education and Science," said Senator Healy Eames.

She criticised what she called "unforgivable behaviour by Fianna Fáil and substandard learning conditions for children" and expressed disappointment that Gaelscoil de hIde in Oranmore had still not found a site.

Deputy Fahey declined to respond to Senator Healy Eames' accusations. However, he has expressed the hope that Scoil Iosaif Naofa and Scoil Mhuire in Oranmore, as well as Lackagh NS, will be able to progress shortly as they are currently awaiting the appointment of design teams.

He also welcomed progress on approving Scoil Bhríde in Menlo, Scoil Mhuire in Clarinbridge and Scoil Mhuire in Maree to design stage.

He expressed disappointment in relation to the delay in finding a site for Gaelscoil de hIde in Oranmore.

"Despite repeated promises by the Office of Public Works and Galway County Council, I have been informed that a decision has yet to be made on a site for Gael Scoil de hIde in Oranmore.

"This delay is extremely disappointing given the lengthy delay that has already been involved in this process.

"I have spoken with the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin TD about the school again this week and I have urged her to see that the site purchase is completed as soon as possible," he concluded.

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