Technical team looks at Gaelscoil Eois

A technical team has travelled to observe the work carried out to date on the development of a new Gaelscoil in Clones. The contractor commenced work on site back in June last year, but there have been growing concerns in the locality over the progress being made.

The proposed project consists of the demolition of existing school building, construction of a new eight-classroom primary school with connected GP Hall, a ball court, junior play area and associated site works.

The issue, particularly when some believed it would be ready for the new school year, is being raised with local election candidates out canvassing.

“We're getting questions about it on the doorsteps,” said Fine Gael's Aidan Campell, addressing Director of Organisation Support and Development (OSD), Karen McBride, at the board's recent meeting at The Workhouse in Carrickmacross. “It's running tight.”

She, in turn, informed the meeting that contractors had met with the technical team at the Department, and that this translated as “the most positive feedback we've received”.

Any delay in progressing the matter was down to the sheer “volume of projects” currently with the Department.

The Gaelscoil Eois build is one of more than half a dozen non-ETB projects being overseen by the local education provider, all but one located in Monaghan.

The others include Castleblayney's Gaelscoil Lorgan where a contractor tender report was sent in October last year, but has remained in static since.

The build there is also for eight clasrooms, a GP hall, two libraries, two SET rooms, a staff room, storage, toilets, offices and a multi-purpose room. Sinn Féin's Colm Carthy asked that the ETB “try move the project on”.

He noted that Monaghan currently has the “highest number of students being taught through gaeilge” in the country. “Even more than in some of the gaeltacht counties.”

Construction started at Rockcorry's Scoil Mhuire back in August last year, while the ETB received an official request from the department to assist Edenmore Primary School in respect of their plans last October. Meetings have taken place and a cost plan was submitted to the department, with the ETB awaiting approval before proceeding further.

Instructions are also awaited regarding the building of a new PE hall at Cavan's Royal School, and planning was lodged with Monaghan County Council for a new PE hall at Monaghan Collegiate in on April 22.

Plans to add three classrooms included two SEN base at Doohamlet NS are still at Stage 1 report since June 2023.