EA comes under fire for removal of concessionary passes for rural Fermanagh school

by Gráinne Connolly

An Erne North Councillor says it's a "disgrace" the Education Authority has withdrawn concessionary bus passes for children travelling to St.Mary's School in Brollagh.

Over the past ten years, the school has also been under threat of closure from the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS).

Sinn Féin representative, John Feely said: 

"Parents in the Belleek area received letters last Saturday morning stating that concessionary passes that their children had in previous years are being withdrawn. 

"StMary's High School has been under attack from the CCMS for the past decade and it would seem the EA are now joining in.

"To send these letters out over a bank holiday weekend, one week before the new school term begins, is a disgrace.

"Due to this timing, parents had to wait until Tuesday to get answers from the EA.

"Brollagh School is situated in a rural location. It is impossible to travel on foot or bicycle to it from Belleek, especially during the winter months.

"The EA are fully aware of this as well as the fact that there is no public transport provision in the area.

"Whilst speaking to the EA on Tuesday, they claimed to be unaware of safety issues around the Brollagh Road. This is incredulous as every time a parent or elected rep has contacted them over the last number of years we have stated this.

"I have contacted the CEO of the Education Authority and the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Education to highlight the concerns of the community and called on them to reverse this decision that this decision."

Meanwhile, the school's parents council has taken to social media to say it's totally "unacceptable" and posted the Education Authorities requirements for next year: