Ring non-committal on Achill sports hall funding

Ring non-committal on Achill sports hall funding


Anton McNulty
antonmcnulty@mayonews.ie

MINISTER of State for Sport Michael Ring was non-committal on the question of funding for a Sports Hall for Achill in 2013.
Minister Ring was responding to a request by Dr Katie Sweeney, the CEO of Mayo VEC to provide funding for a ‘long overdue’ sports hall for the Achill community. During her speech at the official opening of ColΡiste Pobail Acla she said the next project for the school was a sports hall and that the planning process was almost complete.
“The next piece of the infrastructure for the school is the sports hall and I hope by the end of the year plans will be in place. Now Minister Ring this is where your role comes into place. I know you will work with us to make this a reality for 2013 because Achill needs a sports hall and this is long overdue. I hope we can work in partnership to deliver this as soon as possible,” she said in her address.
In response Minister of State Ring did not give any commitment that he would provide money for a sports hall on Achill but said that public funding made available for school projects must be opened up to the public.
“I will not support a sports hall in this area if it is not open to the community. The day is over when schools claim tax payers money for sporting facilities if they are not opened up to the public,” he said.
Minister of State Ring’s department provided a grant of €102,494 for the MUGA facility which was developed by Mayo VEC and Mayo County Council. Principal Barry Kilgannon said the school was delighted to have a ‘facility like this on our doorstep’ which Dr Sweeney thanked the Manager of Mayo County Council for his vision and commitment to deliver the new MUGA.

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