Sinn Féin is calling for ‘serious questions’ to be asked of the controversial decision to relocate the Donegal Education Centre from Donegal Town to Letterkenny.
Deputy Pearse Doherty, and Cathaoirleach of the Donegal Municipal District, Cllr Noel Jordan, have also called for the concerns of staff to be taken into consideration.
“The manner of this move really calls into question just how our taxes are being spent by this Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael government,” Cllr Jordan said.
“This move has happened with complete disregard to staff who work in the centre and with disregard to calls by local representatives. It is being rammed through by Committee Management with the Minister for Education refusing to get involved.”
The management committee has stressed staff were informed of the move last year. However, they acknowledged the concerns raised by DESC employees.
Without ‘intervention’, Cllr Jordan continued, Donegal Town will be without an education centre for the first time in 27 years.
“A highly controversial AGM held last Wednesday evening in Letterkenny also saw a protest outside, that I attended, and around 100 Donegal teachers walked out in disgust,” he said.
“This has caused a rift within the teaching community in the county. All of this could have been prevented if more care was shown to staff at the centre and the move was agreed in a more democratic way.”
Deputy Doherty added that: “Holding an AGM that didn’t allow for one of the biggest issues to face the teaching profession in Donegal and which a great number of registered attendees showed up wanting to discuss is indicative of how this initiative to move the Education Centre has played out.”
He added the location of the Education Centre should be a decision for teachers in Donegal.
“I have been clear that the management committee should allow for a vote on this matter with all the information made available. Division amongst teachers is to no one’s benefit.
“It is not too late for the Minister to intervene. Local Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael representatives have said they would petition the government to halt the move. Now is the time to show that they either have influence over this government or that they are all talk.”
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