Sinn Féin has accused Tanaiste Mary Coughlan of failing the schoolchildren of Co Donegal by not introducing a major school building programme.
And Donegal North East candidate Padraig MacLochlainn says Sinn Fein in Government would promise a dedicated list of schools each year to revitalise the county’s dilapidated school buildings or prefabs.
“It is a disgrace that scores of Donegal schools are still awaiting necessary building works and a testimony to the failure of Minister for Education Mary Coughlan to deliver for this county,” Cllr. MacLochlainn said.
“Hundreds of our children are being forced to endure sub-standard conditions with poor facilities and crumbling buildings because of the failures of this government,” he fumed.
And he outlined the exact number of schools his party would build if it got into office.
“That has to stop and it is for that reason that Sinn Féin have developed our own proposals for an enhanced school building programme that would not only deliver the kind of schools that our young people deserve but would also provide a desperately needed stimulus to our construction industry.
“In government, we would introduce an increased building and refurbishment programme that would aim to build 125 new schools each year between now and 2013.
“Think what a difference that would make, not only to our young people but to our construction industry and wider economy. It can happen if the political will is there and Sinn Féin in government will not be found wanting.”
ENDS