Ahern in East Meath

‘Good and accessible’ childcare to bind communities - Ahern - Meath Chronicle Bertie

Ahern attended a Fianna Fail Rally in the area this week. At the invite-only event held in the Europa Hotel the Taoiseach launched the FF campaign in Meath East vowing to win two out of three seats with newly promoted Junior Minister Mary Wallace from Ratoath and Drogheda solicitor Thomas Byrne.

Pointing to the key local issues of schooling and health the Taoiseach offered the consolation that at least we need schools now, unlike the 70s when everyone was emigrating. Well that’s alright then.

Not much comfort to the many young families who want to send their kids to school however. Ironically in the same week planning applications were submitted by local schools for further temporary classrooms.

The candidates refused to be drawn into debate about the funding model for schools in rapidly expanding areas where the patron model has clearly broken down. In the 21st century we still have the bizarre situation where the state relies on churches, Le Cheile or whoever to find sites and build the schools. This is stunning given that one of the key foundations for our Celtic Tiger success has been our well educated population. If we can’t figure out how to build schools in new communities what are we going to do.

Anyway one has to admire Ahern’s optimism, there will be slim pickings in East Meath for any party not willing to put in place meaningful solutions to local issues rather than the empty promises of the past.