School facilities in Mayo county town 'left behind' - TD

A Mayo TD has spoken in Dáil Éireann about the neglect of school facilities in Castlebar.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh raised issues in regard to Castlebar Education National School, St. Gerald's College and Castlebar Primary School.

She stated: "Castlebar Education Together NS was promised a new school building two years ago, but nothing has happened since.

"In fact, it is not two years ago, it goes back further. I talked to sixth-class students who have been promised a new school since they started, and it still has not happened.

"They are still operating across three locations in Castlebar.

"That is an absolute headache for families with multiple children attending the school, particularly where there is a child with special needs and they cannot be schooled together with their sibling.

"It is unfair on these children that a proper school identity cannot evolve with different children being educated in multiple different unsuitable locations.

"Castlebar Primary School was also in touch with my office regarding a playing field that is required.

"St. Gerald's College in Castlebar regularly has to close its gym because of leaks in the roof.

"There are no excuses for it when we are dealing with so much money here. There is no excuse that so many places are left behind.

"We find in County Mayo and the west that many places are left behind. It is not right.

"We need positive discrimination if anything for infrastructure that needs to be done in the west to fulfil our potential and move from the disadvantaged position we are in.

"There is no shortage of need for capital investment from the government.

"I want to ensure this is where government funding goes, instead of to projects that people did not want or ask for," she added.