West Cavan Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has congratulated

the people of Glangevlin on attending in such large numbers at a

special meeting to discuss the  implications of Government Cuts

Curravagh National School and on small primary schools.

‘The gathering of parents, Board of Management members and the wider

community in Glan Hall gives a very clear message that this community

is determined to fight for Curravagh National School. I met with

parents and member of the Board of Management last Tuesday evening and

Brendan Smith TD, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Education agreed to come

to Glangevlin for the meeting today. A number of other public

representatives attended including Cllr. Peter McVitty.’

Small Rural Schools are facing an uncertain future as a result of

major changes to the staffing schedule, increasing the pupil teacher

ratio and making it more and more difficult for small schools to

survive. In addition the Capitation Grant for these schools has been

severely cut also.

‘The local school is at the very heart of the community. It is where

children learn a sense of place, the customs of the area, their

neighbours. It is more than simply a place for learning in the

academic sense. In addition the closure of small schools will place

demands on other schools for more accommodation and increased

transportation cost. It will const the Government more money. Children

in areas such as Glangevlin already spend over a hour in the bus every

morning and evening. Any further travel would be unacceptable.’

Pointing to the huge capital investment in recent years,  Councillor

Feeley high-lighted that in November 2009, then Minister for

Agriculture, Brendan Smith TD officially opened the renovated

Curravagh NS after significant refurbishment.

‘I believed the money spend on Curravagh NS was money well spent, to

put in place the very best facilities children of this area now and

for the future.  These Government Policies look set to waste that

investment in Curravagh and similar investment in in schools right

across this region.’

Referring to a recent Motion he put before Cavan County Council,

Councillor Feeley highlighted that Fine Gael Councillors fully

supported the retention of rural schools.

‘On Wednesday evening a busload will travel from Glangevlin to Dublin

to join communities from across Ireland to protest in favour of

Schools and demand support for a motion before Dáil Eireann on the day

calling on the Government to reverse the cuts. The time for soft words

from the Government, it is time their Fine Gael TDs and Senators stood

up for Rural Ireland and fight for our Rural Schools. I call on as

many people as possible to make the effort and turn out in large

numbers.’