Mary Lou McDonald pledges to ‘move along’ Macroom Youthreach building

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has pledged to prioritise securing a new and improved building for the Cork College of FET Macroom Youthreach Centre.

Alongside Cork North West based Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan, Ms McDonald visited the facility in the Mid Cork town recently, where she was given a tour of the centre and also spoke with students and staff.

Cork College of FET Macroom Youthreach Centre provides young people who are out of mainstream education an alternative educational path.

Speaking to reporters in Macroom, Ms McDonald said that securing more modern facilities for Macroom Youthreach is very much on her agenda.

“There is incredible work being done in Macroom Youthreach, incredible talent and potential and a terrible building.

“So that is the issue. They are here 20 years. They need a new building and have identified a new location.

“The process is underway. So, Nicole Ryan and I now are going to work together. We are joining forces to move that along as speedily as we can."

Ms McDonald added: “Macroom Youthreach is hugely important. 

“Talking to and more importantly listening to the young people here, I just want to give a shout out to all the young people in Youthreach in Macroom. The talent is absolutely mighty and exceptional.

“We should really celebrate the fact that our young people, in so many different ways, each in their own individual way, have so much to offer and so much to bring.

“We should remind ourselves, those who are not so youthful anymore, that we rely on our young people to build the Ireland of tomorrow and to make progress for all of us.” 

Cork College of FET Macroom Youthreach Centre offers support for students to ensure they continue to aspire towards their career goals through a blended curriculum of practical life skills, academic certification and practical experience in the workplace.