Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, has expressed his profound disappointment that two Letterkenny schools were not included in the National Development Office (NDO) Sectorial Investment Plan announced by the Minister for Education, Hildagarde Naughton.
“It’s extremely disappointing that St Eunan’s College and Illistrin National School were not part of this latest announcement and I share the frustration of everyone associated with both Letterkenny schools,” the Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy said.
“St Eunan’s College and Illistrin National School have been waiting for extensions for many years. I am engaging with the Minister for Education around the criteria that was used in relation to the decision that was made about what schools were included.
“We must find a way forward to secure the capital funding necessary to ensure that these projects get to the construction stage as soon as possible. I am well aware of the level of disappointment and frustration locally because the two Letterkenny schools were not included,” he added.
“The objective now is to engage with the Minister for Education to get answers as to why they weren’t included in this particular tranche and also find a way forward that will see these essential projects being delivered.
“There has been much disappointment in many other parts of the country as well. But dealing in particular with St Eunan’s, it is a project that has been on the go for many years now. It has had planning permission for over three and a half years and there are real challenges there in relation to the school from an operational point of view and from a safety point of view,” he said.
“I’ve had two Ministers for Education engage with the school over the last period of time. I will continue to work with the school to deal with what has been an immense setback for everyone.
“We’ve seen a lot of good work done in relation to schools across the county recently, with the opening of the new Little Angels School in Letterkenny last September, the opening of the new extension at Moville Community College last month and the turning of the sod on the build at Scoil Iosagain NS in Buncrana twelve months ago.
“There was also really good news for St Columba’s College in Stranorlar which was the only school in Donegal included in the latest NDO Sectorial Investment Plan. The goal now is to get St Eunan’s College and Illistrin National School to the same stage,” the Donegal Minister of State said.
