Galway Bay FM News Archives
School loses five teachers working with Traveller kids
Date Published: 04-Apr-2011
BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM
Five teaching support staff for Traveller students at Galway Community College in Moneenageisha are to be lost over the next three months, following Government cutbacks.
And a further two teachers also working with Traveller children could be redeployed because of increased demand for supports from foreign students.
Councillor Peter Keane – who is a member of the Galway City Vocational Education Committee – said the effect of the Government cuts will be “absolutely devastating” for the school, and has sought an urgent meeting with the Secretary General of the Department of Education.
“This is as an attack on the most vulnerable students in our education system. The VEC received a circular from the Department of Education in recent days regarding revised Government arrangements for the provision of teaching supports for Traveller Students.
“The net effect is that five teachers will be lost within the next three months from Galway Community College.
“The teachers targeted by this revision are specifically allocated to teaching the most marginalised students in our academic and education system, being students from the Travelling community.
“It is an abomination that the newly appointed Minister would consider such a move in the context of a revision of cutbacks and this lacks credibility on the Minister’s part. This revision simply disguises the fact that there are to be further cut-backs which directly affect the most vulnerable students,” said Cllr Keane.
He said that following the cuts, there will be 4.5 support teachers for Travellers, and a further two could be lost to foreign students.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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