Castlebar Educate Together to take campaign to Dáil Éireann

Castlebar Educate Together National School is escalating its campaign for a promised new school building following over two years of deadlock with the Department of Education. 

The school opened in temporary accommodation in Cavendish Lane in 2016 with twelve pupils and continued to grow into a three-campus school with 124 pupils today. 

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

In early 2023, the school board forwarded potential public and privately owned brownfield and greenfield sites to the Minister’s department as requested. 

With the assistance of Minister Alan Dillon, a representation from the school met Minister Foley in Leinster House on May 29 last year. 

Board chairperson Yvonne Coyne explained: “Since that meeting, there has been no movement by the Department. We are very frustrated that over two years on from the Minister’s promise, a new school site has not been identified.”

A school board commissioned report by OMD Design consultant engineers into the suitability of the school’s current buildings has reinforced the view of the board, staff and parents that the buildings are not, and have never been, fit for purpose. 

Staff at Castlebar Educate Together have raised the dire working conditions with the Irish National Teachers' Organisation. 

“Families and staff in Educate Together have no choice but to escalate our campaign, as it is clear the seriousness of our situation is not being heard by Minister Foley or her Department. Our school board, staff, children and parents will be bringing our voices to the gates of Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, November 6. 

“It is unfortunate that families have to go to such lengths to be heard, but we intend to continue our campaign until the Minister fulfils her promise.” concluded Ms Coyne.