Collins declares new class funds

Ten schools throughout Limerick  county are set to benefit from fresh funding which is aimed at improving access to high-tech equipment in the classroom, according to Limerick West Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins.

Deputy Collins said that the funding, which has been allocated under a special scheme promoting equality of opportunity in education, will equip students with the skills they need for the modern world.

“The funding will provide students with greater access to information technology.

“The move will help our young people to enhance their IT skills and support access to new avenues of opportunity in employment and further education.

The money comes from dormant bank accounts which the Government invests in worthwhile local projects that make a real difference to the lives of ordinary communities.”

In County Limerick, the schools set to benefit are: Ballylanders NS, Kilmallock (€2,500); Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom (€10,000);

Coláiste Ióasef, Kilmallock (€2,600); Desmond College, Newcastlewest (€7,000); Gaelscoil Sheoirse, An Cnoc Theas (€3,000); 

Scoil Áine Naofa, Rath Caola (€4,000); Scoil Ioseph Naofa, Kilfinane (€2,500);

Scoil Na mBráithre, Doon (€2,500); Scoil Naomh Mhuire, Abbeyfeale (€2,500); and St Michael’s National School, Sexton St (€2,500).

O’Sullivan slams Shannon ‘sham’

Labour deputy Jan O’Sullivan has said that the resignation of the Executive Chairman of Shannon Airport because crucial information on Aer Lingus’s intention to discontinue the Shannon Heathrow service was not passed on to him “marks a new low in this shambolic affair”.

“It is with great regret that I heard of Mr Shanahan’s decision to step down, and it has to be said that his sense of honour in this matter is to be admired. This has now developed into a full-blown crisis and it would appear that no one is in charge—not Minister Dempsey and not the Taoiseach,” she said.

“It seems that there was a cosy cartel operating among senior aviation policy makers who were whispering among themselves about the Aer Lingus plans to end the Heathrow route, but who somehow managed to keep them under wraps. It is clear that a lot of people had substantial knowledge about Aer Lingus’ intentions long before the plans were formally announced.”

“Had he been aware of the Aer Lingus’ intentions to scrap their Heathrow service, he may well have been in a position to do something about it. Instead, he didn’t find out until the company made their official announcement when it was far too late.”

She said that the “groundswell of anger that has prevailed in the mid-west and west since the announcement of the ending of the Shannon-Heathrow route by Aer Lingus was has been further compounded by this resignation”.

“We want a meaningful response from Government. We have had enough of the flowery sympathetic speeches. We want the Government to use its clout on the board of the company and insist that the Shannon-Heathrow route is maintained.”

O’Dea secures family funding

The Family Resource Centre at St Munchins, Cloneonnane Road, Ballynanty is to receive State funding of €394,000 for a much needed new building.

The funding will come through the Family Support Agency, which was established by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and aims to promote local family support.