This article is from page 14 of the 2007-07-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
FUNDING shortfalls have turned parts of Ennis into’ educational blackspots, according to Ennis West Partners Ltd.
According to CSO figures quoted in a letter by Ennis West to Ennis Town Council, 26 per cent of the people living in the Ennis West area of Cloughleigh, Drumbiggle and Hermitage have only had access to primary education or no formal edu- cation at all. This compares with 21 per cent for all of Clare and 22 per cent nationally. Nineteen per cent of those living in the same area have no third level qualification, compared to 24 per cent in Clare and 26 per cent nationally.
According to the letter “the future outlook can be considered to be neg- ative when one takes into account the prediction of the joint FAS/ESRI outlook 2004 that 60 per cent of the net new jobs created by the economy in 2010 and onwards will require a third level qualification.”
The organisation has claimed that a particular incidence of educational disadvantage has developed in the west of Ennis.
The organisation says inadequate and insecure funding has meant there has not been enough money to provide for the numbers of students
requiring assistance.
Ennis West Partners works with secondary schools in the town to proved educational support program- mnes for disadvantaged students.
Ennis West is currently assisting 350 students through study skills courses and assisted homework clubs in co-operation with schools.
The body is now applying to Ennis Town Council and local businesses for funding after Government fund- ing was withheld pending review of the service.
The letter states, ““We hope that you will be able to help us in this regard as we have an urgent need to raise the €12,000 necessary for the 2007 – 2008 school year. We have a strong belief that this work provides practi- cal assistance for our young people and that ultimately the whole town lores ees nL RS
Speaking at last night’s meeting of Ennis Town Council, mayor of En- nis Tommy Brennan said Ennis West must show the council its accounts.
He said, “We should look for a bal- ance sheet before we discuss this. The last time we asked all we got was a glossy brochure. Before we discuss this we have to find out why the De- jOx-NaBOOCs) OM Orc KCLULMmoy-(@) qu aeDeCeND Tome
Ennis West board member, Cllr Joe Reidy (FF) said the department was reviewing the scheme.