Minister’s assurances on new classrooms for Clare school

PROGRESS with the provision of additional classrooms at an East Clare secondary school is moving as quickly as possible, the Minister for Education has said.

Minister Norma Foley gave the assurance on the long-awaited new rooms, which will include facilities for practical work, in response to a question from Deputy Cathal Crowe. The Meelick man raised the issue in the Dáil, asking for an update and timeline on the works.

In response, Minister Foley confirmed that, under Project 2040, under her Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme two new mainstream classrooms are to be provided as well as a metalwork room and a woodwork room. She confirmed that the project has been “devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare ETB (LCETB)”.

“In respect of Scariff Community College, the project was approved in February 2017 and proceeded through the various stages of the architectural planning process thereafter,” Minister Foley outlined.

“A Stage 1/2A report was received in May 2018 in that respect and approval was given to proceed to the planning stage in August 2018. The project successfully progressed through the statutory planning process. My Department subsequently approved the progression of this project to tender stage in July 2021. LCETB has been progressing the project in that regard and the Department awaits submission of the tender report, which is expected in the coming weeks.”

Minister Foley assured Deputy Crowe that the LCETB and her Department are progressing the project as quickly as possible.

“Project Ireland 2040 provides a total of approximately €4.4 billion of capital investment over the period 2021-2025,” she added.

“The project to which the Deputy refers is one of approximately 1,200 school building projects under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme that are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction – most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025. It anticipated the building project will be completed during the 2022 to 2025 period.”