Mayo Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

€20 million for Posh American Kids - Nothing for our Children

Published: 18 February, 2010

Cllr. Rose Conway-Walsh

087 2846830

Sinn Fein Councillor Rose Conway-Walsh demands to know "Why are we allowing our Minister for Education to hand over €20 million of our money to the woman who likened helping the undocumented Irish to "putting lipstick on a pig"?" "Batt O Keeffe plans to give €20 million to Trina Vargo, head of the U.S. Ireland Alliance, so that she can bring over 12 wealthy American Students to Ireland each year."

"Now the test for us here in Mayo is, when our 4 Mayo TD's vote on this matter this Thursday in the Dail, will they consider that, here in Mayo we have parents of children with special needs who have to beg for the most basic services, children with speech and language difficulties who can't get therapy and a school for autism that is funded by the parents themselves because they are desperate to give their children an education". "Meanwhile, we have only one school in Mayo included in the School Building Programmed for 2010."

"There are submissions from all over Mayo currently sitting in the Department of Education for consideration. Two of these are; a detailed proposal to set up a Speech and Language Class in Erris and an application to provide an ABA School for children with Autism in Kiltimagh." "Unfortunately when this government and the main opposition parties look West, they fail to see the needs of our Children here in Mayo, but they do see the desires of an group of elite Americans who purport to treat us like idiots." And is it any wonder?

Trina Vargo said "to support a special deal that would single out illegal Irish immigrants for preferential treatment would be morally wrong". Well, as a mother, and as someone who has seen the suffering of families who have to fight for years to try to get a proper education and basic health services for their children, I say it is morally wrong to hand over €20 million of Irish Tax Payers money to a woman who treats us with such contempt.

ENDS.

Rose Conway-Walsh

087 2846830