Minister Norma Foley visits schools in north Louth

The work being done by teachers was praised by Education Minister, Norma Foley, on her visit to the Cooley Peninsula last week.

The Minister was in the area on the invitation of Senator Erin McGreehan, and during her visit met teachers, students and management board members at Rampark, Monksland and Mullaghbuoy national schools.

She was accompanied by Senator McGreehan and councillors Seán Kelly, recently elected Cathaoirleach of Dundalk Municipal District; Andrea McKevitt, new Leas Cathaoirleach Louth County Council, and Conor Keelan, former Cathaoirleach Louth County Council.

Principals at each of the schools gave the Minister a guided tour of classrooms and the facilities.

They provided her with updates on their students’ academic performances and achievements.

The principals and their staff were thanked by the Minister for their dedication and hard work on behalf of their students.

She agreed with Sen McGreehan that it was important to have continued investment in primary education.

Sen McGreehan had made the point that many schools in the region faced challenges and increased funding and resources was vital.

She welcomed the introduction of free meals for all DEIS schools from this September onwards, and said that students at other schools will get the same benefits in due course.

The Minister’s visit to Mullaghbuoy was very special to her, Sen McGreehan said.

“Many generations of my family were educated here. This place means everything to me.

“I think of the people who worked so hard to ensure that small schools like Mullaghbuoy survived.

“They did not have much, but what they did have was pride of place and the knowledge that to be educated was a necessity.”

And addressing the Minister, Sen McGreehan added:

“You see with the presence of parents, teachers, members of the board of management how much this place means to us.

“On a personal note, I only wish my late Granny O’Reilly could here to meet you.

“She would be so proud.”

Minister Foley was on her first visit to the peninsula,having been first elected to the Dail in 2020.

A daughter of former Kerry TD, Denis Foley, she was promoted to the role of Education Minister within weeks of her win in the general election.

She is a native of Tralee and is the first woman from Kerry to sit at the cabinet table.