THERE was disappointment voiced during a recent meeting of the Donegal Education and Training Board regarding a response to a letter sent to the Minister for Education.
The board had written to Minister Hildegarde Naughton to express concerns regarding the wider impact of the defective concrete crisis on children.
This wasn’t the first time the board had written to the education minister regarding the issue, and this wasn’t the first time they were disappointed with the response.
Cllr Albert Doherty, who raised the issue at last Monday’s meeting, pointed to the fact that there are presently 16 schools in the county being investigated for defective concrete blocks.
“Our teachers, our pupils, our staff are working in conditions effected by defective blocks. They’re leaving homes with defective blocks, coming to schools with defective blocks; it is a constant issue that needs to be addressed,” he said.
The Sinn Féin councillor had spoken with an affected school principal prior to the meeting who revealed that he had been promised a visit or correspondence from the department prior to the Christmas break but that never occurred.
Cllr Doherty also added that he could “pick holes” in the letter, including how the minister refers to reported issues with mica and pyrite, which has long been scientifically debunked.
“The whole world here knows that has moved on scientifically to other issues, and really I am wondering has the department and the new minister grasped that there are other issues.”
Cllr Doherty asked the ETB to follow up with the minister, by inviting her to the county to visit the schools, parents and pupils.
ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh said she was also disappointed by the ministers response.
Ms McHugh added that the Donegal ETB has already invited the education minister to the county, but that it would be followed up on as well.
