The Clare People Archive

THE Irish League of Credit Unions Ce) COKSBLecwe-DeDOLet-N excselosecD mae lcrolnb Orem aleydl weekend in the University Concert Hall in Limerick.

Over 1,500 delegates and other members will gather for the two day meeting at which they will review progress of the credit union move- ment in Ireland to date and plan for future developments.

Membership of Ireland’s 521 credit unions stands at 2.9 million peo- ple with savings of €13.4 billion. The Limerick/Clare chapter of 31

different credit unions comprises 177,244 members with savings of over €704.35 million and loans of €344.25 million.

“Having successfully agreed new lending limits for credit unions with Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, we can now offer larger loans over longer periods to our members. So we are facing the future with even greater confidence and making plans for even better service for our mem- bers,” said Uel Adair, President of the Irish League of Credit Unions.

“With exciting new services and products in the pipeline, credit un-

ions are looking forward to even greater Success aS a movement than we ve enjoyed so far. Ordinary peo- ple can now get the money they need to help them properly plan their own and their family’s lives.”

Delegates will also be able to see and discuss the latest support and management services available to credit unions at a special exhibi- tion running in conjunction with the AGM.

The first credit unions in Clare, Sts Peter and Paul’s Credit Union in Clarecastle and St Francis Credit Union in Ennis, were established in

July 1966. Around the same time, the first and, so far, only industrial credit union in Clare was formed by employees of the Shannon Free Air- port Development Co. Ltd.

Since its earliest days, the Limer- ick/Clare chapter has played a sig- nificant role in credit union develop- ments. It has been represented on the board of the Irish League of Credit Unions since 1964 by Fred Fennessy, Kit McDonald, Frank Canny and Tony Cullinan. Mr Canny served as president of the league between 1985 and 1987 and Mr Cullinan between 1995 and 1996.

THE Citizens Information Service launched its Polish information serv- ice last Friday in the Queen’s Hotel, [Syeyevay

The Ennis and Scariff offices are providing a trained Polish informa- tion assistant to deal with clients who do not a have good command of English.

According to the service’s man- ager, Paul Woulfe, the most common queries relate to employment issues, income support and child benefit.

The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia McCarthy, performed the launch of the service. Fr Tomasz Dauszkie-

wicz, chaplain to the Polish commu- nity in Clare provided a blessing.

“Integration not segregation is the key to a successful multi-cultural so- ciety, said Mayor McCarthy.

Integration should not mean for- getting your own country, language, culture or heritage. These are what form character and personality. Un- fortunately for many, economic cir- cumstances mean having to leave one’s family and country in order to seek employment.

“It is important that in bringing the language and traditions of home to a new country they do not become a barrier to integration and self ad- vancement. Rather they can enrich

your new community as you actively participate in local activities.

“The difficulties associated with setting up home in a strange country cannot be underestimated. Irish peo- ple are well aware of difficulties and obstacles,” said Mayor McCarthy.

“The Polish information service will provide information on rights and entithements. Equally impor- tantly the centre will also provide a listening ear and voice offering en- couragement, assistance and support as required.” she said.

Representatives of the Polish com- munity from across the county at- tended the launch.

Mr Woulfe outlined a number of

initiatives to meet the information needs of foreign nationals in the county. These include a dedicated advocacy service to assist with em- ployment and social welfare appeals and documents translated in various languages on the web.

Ola Szostak, the new information officer, 1s providing these initiatives.

THE principal and staff of the Con- vent Primary school in Ennistymon have criticised the approach by Mol an Oige in trying to entice pupils to its school.

In submissions to the Department of Education, Sr Rosari Ni Bhriain and “concerned staff members” outlined their opposition to the ap- plication by Mol an Ojige to secure Kreeyea Tv LB (ONE

Mol an Oige needed 51 pupils to be enrolled by last September as part of the process to secure recognition.

However, Sr Ni Bhriain and the staff members claimed in December 2006 that statistics indicated only 1.5 per cent of the combined enrolment of two local schools have opted to attend Mol an Oige over a two year period. This translated to two out of 134 pupils.

The objection went on to state that Mol an Oige was imposing itself

upon the local community who held the current educational system “in high esteem and acknowledge by their action that there is sufficient CTR IA ae

‘The statistics shows there is a low level of local community support for Mol an Oige in Ennistymon.

“The majority of parents feel that the future of education in the town is best served by maintaining the al- ready existing schools. _

“Support for Mol an Oige is dwin- dling at an unprecedented rate due in particular to the unethical approach used by Mol an Ojige to entice local pupils to their school.

“Such an approach is both unpro- fessional and shows little respect or regard for the existing schools.

“The unwritten code of practice amongst all primary schools in the county is that such open days are held in May or June when the intake for the upcoming school year is en- rolled.”

MOST OF the teachers in the exist- ing Steiner schools in Ennistymon and Tuamgraney do not have the re- quired qualifications and would not be eligible to seek employment in the new schools that have will State rec- ognition.

That was the admission made by the patron body, Lifeways Ireland Ltd of Mol an Oige Steiner School and Raheen Wood Steiner school at

a meeting with the Department of Education officials last June.

According to records released through the Freedom of Information Act, the department secured guaran- tees that the proposed schools would commence the teaching of formal reading in senior infants and that Lifeways Ireland accepted the need for the use of standardised assess- ment in the primary schools.

A department memo last January recommended that recognition be

refused for the schools as they didn’t provide a “sufficiently clear commit- ment to provide Primary Curriculum 1999 to pupils”.

It was only after an oral hearing in March of last year that the schools won over the New Schools Advisory Committee (NSAC).

However, records show that in February, the NSAC requested the department to withdraw the offer of an oral hearing due to the Clare VEC being ruled out as a patron body.

It was urged to complete the delib- erative process by the department and arising from the oral hearing, the NSAC reported they were satis- fied the schools were committed to delivering the curriculum required of national schools”.

The inspectorate responded that there wasn’t any “pedagogical rea- sons to reject the recommendations of the NSAC”.

The department granted one year’s recognition with permanent recog-

nition contingent on the outcomes of comprehensive inspection of the schools.

“The provisional recognition status of each school will be reviewed be- fore August 3, 2009 and the minister may extend the period of provisional recognition or withdraw recognition entirely or grant permanent recogni- tion to either or both schools.”

A separate department memo noted that the process yielded little by way of public response.

THE Department of Education was urged not to squander taxpayers’ money on duplicating the provision of primary education in Ennistymon by granting recognition to the Mol an Oige school.

The board of management of the amalgamated St Fachnan’s and St At- tracta’s primary school in Kilfenora stated that “under no circumstances” would they support Mol an Oige’s at- tempt to gain recognition.

The submission opposing the Stein- er school stated that the combined number of roll in September 2001 was 82 while in September 2006, this had fallen to 62.

“We do not welcome the negative impact the recruitment drive of Mol an Oige may have on further deplet- ing our pupil numbers. At recent par- ent teacher meetings, local support was not evident for this proposed new school, however, there was evidence of confusion among some, arising from the promotion and advertising of the proposed new school.

“We consider that the educational, social, cultural and religious needs of primary schools are being adequate-

ly met by the five existing schools in Ennistymon parish and the eight primary schools within a seven mile radius of Ennistymon.

“Up to the year 2000, there were two primary schools in our par- ish, due to a decline in numbers in Inchovea School, the BOM success-

fully amalgamated with Kilfenora National School.

“North Clare and Ennistymon are not areas of rapidly expanding popu-

lation; in fact our parish which 1s sit- uated only four miles from Ennisty- mon is experiencing a noticeable decline in our student population and it would be far more beneficial to in- vest the money in upgrading and en- hancing facilities in the established primary schools serving the area.”

In a separate submission, Maura Clancy deputy principal of Kilfenora stated, “It is unacceptable to waste taxpayers’ money of the provision of a new school. There are schools in north Clare that lack basic facilities and accommodation and it would be far better to upgrade those schools.

“We are all aware of the lack of services, such as speech and lan- guage therapy, occupational therapy in our existing schools. Financial in- vestment in these areas would be far more beneficial and I sincerely hope that the proposed new school will not receive recognition.

THE boards of management of two small schools on the outskirts of En- nistymon expressed concern about the future viability and very exist- ence of their schools if recognition was granted to Mol an Oige.

A joint submission from the boards of management of Clouna National School, Furglan National School and Scoil Mhuire in Lahinch, claimed that the “educational needs of the area are already more than reason- ably met by the existing five co-edu- cational primary schools”.

“An additional primary school would merely duplicate the educa- tional services already being pro- vided and would seem ludicrous from a financial and administrative point of view. We seriously question the level of support that a sixth pri- mary school could enjoy in this rural area,’ the submission claims.

Lodged in December 2006, the

submissions claimed that the major- ity of those enrolled in Mol an Oige were not from within the community and this implied that there was broad satisfaction with the existing schools in the Lahinch-Ennistymon area. “We are concerned about the future viability and very existence of all the schools in our parish, particularly our two smaller outlying schools, should this new school receive departmental

recognition. It is amazing to see the Vocational Educational Committee (VEC) willing to act as patron for this new school. We question why the VEC is now taking an adminis- trative interest in the primary educa- tion sector and if their rules allow them to do so.

“An additional primary school would be a heavy draw on the avail- able school-going population. It seems irrational to consider funding another school in an area which is al- ready well served by five schools.”

In a separate submission Furglan primary school principal, Patricia Vaughan said she feels very strongly that the educational needs of the par- ish were already more than reason- ably met by the existing schools and an additional school would merely duplicate the services already being EOD sleleem

THE president of the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said yesterday that it was a legitimate part of the political process that politi- cians would make representations on behalf of a new school seeking state recognition.

Corofin primary school principal and newly elected INTO President Declan Kelleher was commenting after it emerged that An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and Minister for Fi- nance, Brian Cowen were just two of a number of senior politicians that made representations on behalf of Mol an Oige Steiner school.

“Everyone can make representa- tions to politicians. INTO has no difficulty with Mol an Oijge secur- ing recognition provided that every school in north Clare is properly re- sourced. We have no difficulty with diversity within the system provided that the school adheres to the prima- ry school curriculum,” he said.

THE principal and chairman of Kilshanny primary school told the Department of Education that there were not enough children in north Clare to sustain a new school.

Outlining their opposition to the application by Mol an Oige for new school status, principal, Mary Mc- Namara and chairman of the school’s board of management, Fr Peter Rab- bitte stated that their school had 38 pupils on roll and this was made up of children within the catchment area and further afield, drawn by an inclusive enrolment policy that tran- scended social background, religious belief and ethnic origin.

“We feel there are not enough chil- dren in north Clare to sustain a new school as well as maintain current enrolment levels in existing schools. In an area like Kilshanny, which has already seen its shop and post office close, the school is a focal point for the community and provides children with a sense of identity, so important in a rapidly, changing society.

“We query the status of the pro- posed school — is it Steiner or mul- ti-denominational or both. We also query the involvement of the VEC in primary education.

Another objection lodged by Doolin National School principal, Michelle Moroney and board of management chairman, Fr Peter Rabbitte ex-

pressed concern that losing some pu- pils would lead to the loss of future positions within the school.

‘At present, we have 79 on our roll and in September 2007, we are hope- ful at having 80, which will lead to the creation of an extra mainstream position within our school. We are all teaching three class groupings, which is a serious challenge for any teacher. Hopefully, we will have a fourth mainstream teacher shortly which will make teaching more man- ageable for all. Should we lose just one pupil to Mol an Oige, we will not achieve this.”

Gaelscoil losaif Naofa in Moy also stated that since Mol an Oige com- menced operating on a voluntary basis, five children transferred from Gaelscoil Maigh during September PAU Oey

Two more pupils had since indicat- ed their intention to transfer and the school’s potential enrolment contin- ued to be affected negatively.

In a separate submission, school principal, Michael O Conchuir said there was a locally held percep- tion that there will be an emphasis on teaching through the medium of Irish. The name itself would suggest deh

‘As a Gaelscoil serving the same proposed catchment area, we feel that the establishment of a similar medium school is totally unneces- sary, he said.

A TOTAL OF eight north-Clare pri- mary schools lodged strenuous ob- jections to attempts by Mol an Oige Steiner school in Ennistymon to se- cure state recognition.

According to records’ released through the Freedom of Information Act, a total of 52 objections were lodged against the new school – made up of boards of management, school

principals, teachers and parents from primary schools based in and around Ennistymon, Kilshanny, Kilfenora, Doolin, Lahinch and Moy.

The objections came from Convent Primary School, Ennistymon, Clou- na National School, Furglan Nation- al School, Doolin National School, Kilshanny National School, Lahinch Scoil Mhuire, Scoil losef Maigh and St Fachnan’s and St Attracta’s Na- tional School at Kilfenora.

The greatest amount of opposition in numerical terms came from the Burren village of Kilfenora where 22 objections were received, while three priests, Fr Pat Rabbitte, Fr Joseph Roche and Rev Sean McHugh in their role as chairmen of schools’ board of management were also par- ty to school objections.

However, the objections to the school were outnumbered three to one by those in favour after Mol an

Oige encouraged a_ letter-writing campaign in order to secure a posi- tive response from the Department of Education.

151 submissions were received in favour of the school application and these are made up of community supporters (64), parent/family (42), school/teacher 16, business person (5), public representatives (3) while those ‘not clear’ were 21.

Public representatives to write in

favour of the Mol an Oige bid in- cluded Deputy Timmy Dooley and Councillor Flan Garvey.

The bid for recognition by Raheen Wood Steiner school in Tuamgraney received only one objection, while 76 submissions were received in favour.

However, internal departmental memos show that no consideration was given to the various concerns expressed by the schools in relation to the application from Mol an Oige.

under

the Freedom of Information Act. Along with the letter from Mr Ahern last November, representations were

also made by Finance Minister Brian Cowen, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan, Community Affairs Min- ister Eamon O’Cuiv, the then Tour- ism Minister John O’Donoghue, while Minister of State Tony Killeen made six representations.

A letter was sent from the Office of the Taoiseach last November with a printed signature ‘Bertie’ to Minister Mary Hanafin on the application by Mol an Oijige for new school recog- nition. Mr Ahern said he was writ- ing on behalf of Flan Garvey, Inagh, regarding an application by Mol an

Oige for official recognised status.

“T understand that the Lifeways Group, which is seeking the authori- sation, met with officials from your Department in Tullamore, Novem- ber 12, 2007, and were advised that the department would revert to them with their decision. I would be grate- ful if you would let me know the present status in relation to this mat- ter.” Former mayor of Clare, Coun- cillor Flan Garvey is the father of founding teacher of the Mol an Oige school, Una Ni Ghairbhith.

In response, Minister Hanafin said

that her officials met with the prin- cipal of Mol an Oige where the sub- stantive issues relating to the appli- cation were discussed at length

“My officials are currently consid- ering the replies received with a view to making a recommendation to me in the coming days. I will consider these recommendations and the pro- posed patron will be informed of the outcome. I hope this information is of assistance to you.”

Underlining the determined politi- cal campaign by Mol an Ojge to se- cure recognition, 34 separate repre-

sentations were made in response to lobbying from constituents.

Former senator Brendan Daly made the highest number of rep- resentations at seven, followed by Minister Killeen, Minister O Cuiv who made four and former Minister, John O’Donoghue who made three representations and one in his cur- rent position of Ceann Comhairle. Minister Coughlan and Cllr Garvey made two representations, while Minister Cowen, Pat Breen TD, Joe Carey TD, Olwyn Enright TD all made one each.