10th prefab for Sixmilebridge school

THE provision of a 10th prefabricated building at St Finnachta’s National School, Sixmilebridge has prompted renewed calls for Education Minister Ruairí Quinn to progress the planning and design stages for a new school.

Councillor PJ Ryan has expressed concern that prefabs now outnumber the number of classrooms at Sixmilebridge National School for the 450 pupils without any news on the construction of the long-awaited new school.

He pointed out the new school project was at the design stage a few years ago but went off the radar after the change of Government.

The Independent councillor pointed out the fact the school is so well maintained and well kept, is adversely affecting its chances of being prioritised for capital funding.

He said toilet facilities were upgraded, making them accessible for people with disabilities at a cost of between €30,000 and €40,000. However, he pointed out the school still has the same number of toilets, which were built as part of the original building.

Even though this had to be done, Councillor Ryan stressed this would be far better spent in a new facility.

Minister Quinn admitted, after he met a deputation at the school last June, that it is not fit for the purpose it was originally intended because of the chronic lack of permanent school buildings.
Concern has been expressed previously about the questionable expenditure of over €500,000 on the rental and purchase of prefabricated buildings in recent years.

At least half of the pupils are being taught in 10 prefabs and it is believed St Finnachta’s is one of the few primary schools in the country with three two-storey prefabs.

A strong case for the provision of a new national school was presented to Minister Quinn when he visited the school at the request of Deputy Pat Breen last June.

Clare Deputies Breen, Michael McNamara, Joe Carey and Timmy Dooley, who have all expressed concern about the lack of adequate accommodation for staff and pupils were present when the minister was taken on a tour of the existing facilities.

Minister Quinn saw first hand the unsatisfactory situation where pupils have to travel from prefab to prefab in the wind and rain, which would be avoided if all the classrooms were under one roof.

While Minister Quinn stopped short of promising a new school would definitely be built, he pledged to contact Department of Education officials in the building unit in Tullamore to facilitate progressing the new school project through the various stages of architectural planning.

According to the CSO, there was a 28.2% population growth in the Sixmilebridge from 2006 to 2011. It is expected that 46 pupils will leave sixth class this year and there will be an intake of 83 into junior infants.

Deputy Michael McNamara said he is hopeful that if this project can be progressed through the planning stages, it could proceed if finance becomes available through infrastructural bonds or EU money.

He acknowledged it is unfortunate that pupils and teachers have to put up with prefabs until money becomes available for a new school.

As soon as the Dáil resumes, Deputy Breen confirmed he would be having a further meeting with Minister Quinn to get an update on the school project and explore how further progress can be made in Sixmilebridge.

Deputy Joe Carey said there is no doubt there is a strong case for the provision of a new national school in Sixmilebridge.

Deputy Carey said he continues to work with the school authorities and, in particular, principal Gareth Heagney as well as Minister Quinn, who fully briefed about the case for a new school.

“It is critical that this project can move along the various planning and design stages to ensure it is ready to go to tender when money becomes available,” he said. He noted school authorities have also presented a strong case for a new school to the building unit in Tullamore.

He pledged to continue working with his Oireachtas colleagues to promote this project with the assistance of school authorities and Minister Quinn.

The Department of Education hadn’t responded to a number of Clare Champion queries at the time of going to press.