Long wait over for local schools
June 23, 2010
A local Irish-speaking secondary school has finally been granted a new premises, after a gruelling ten-year campaign by parents and local representatives.
The long-running campaign has now finally born fruit, with confirmation that a new premises will be provided for Colaiste na Coiribe under the Department of Education’s Capital Programme for 2010.
Students at the school are currently forced to take classes in prefabs, due to chronic overcrowding. However, it has now been confirmed that it is to move from its current location to a new home in Knocknacarra by 2013.
The news has been welcomed by Senator Niall O Brolchain, who has worked with Deputy Noel Grealish and a number of local representatives to put an end to the almost ten-year wait for a new school.
“This project will be great for Galway City and great for my local area, where there is a huge deficit in local facilities. I will continue to work with all those involved in the project at a local and national level to ensure that everything goes according to plan,” he said.
There was also good news for Scoil Iognaid Secondary School, with the announcement that contracts for the extension and refurbishment of the school are to be drawn up this week. The plans are to be drawn up by the preferred bidder, which is believed to be a local construction company.
“A refurbishment will be carried out on 3,000 square metres in the existing school and a 2,400 square metre extension will also be added to the school,” said Deputy Frank Fahey, confirming the news.
“This project first went out to tender in 2006 and there was naturally a lot of disappointment when it went out to tender again, but I can confirm that this resulted in a saving of 30 per cent and, at times when the public finances are limited, this kind of prudent management of resources is vital.
“Value for money has been achieved in the project and now the school will soon have the much-needed works completed. Credit is due to the school principal, Bernie O’Connell, who has pursued the project over the last number of years.”
Galway Independent – Marie Madden
23 Meitheamh 2010
