The need to progress a new primary and new secondary school for Carrigtwohill has been raised by Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton. Deputy Stanton, today, received an update on the schools from the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Sean Sherlock TD during a topical issues debate he secured on the issue.
“Given the large increase in population in Carrigtwohill in recent years, a new primary, which will amalgamate the existing two schools, and a new post-primary school, are urgently needed to accommodate school children in Carrigtwohill. Both projects are included on the Department of Education’s Five Year Building Plan and are due to go to construction at some stage in the next academic year, 2014-2015 and I was pleased to hear from the Minister of State, my constituency colleague, that work is being undertaken on site acquisition on a daily basis”, noted Deputy Stanton.
“I raised the matter of the two schools in response to concerns from parents I am concerned as to the apparent lack of progress to date in acquiring a site for both schools despite the proposed target date of 2014-2015. I understand that there are now almost 900 children in the girls’ primary, Scoil Chlochair Mhuire and the boys’ primary, Scoil Mhuire Naofa. The the majority of children in Scoil Mhuire Naofa are being accommodated in prefabs.
“Minister of State, Sean Sherlock TD, advised that he is personally overseeing both projects, one of which is to be a new 32 classroom school for the amalgamated primary schools and a new 1000 pupil mixed second level school under the patronage of the Education and Training Board in conjunction with the Catholic Bishop of Cloyne. He assured me that the projects are being given top priority within the Department of Education that the planning process will begin immediately once suitable sites are acquired.
“The need for a large increase in primary and post primary school accommodation in the East Cork area is a matter I have been raising for the past 10 years and I am very pleased that the Department of Education have recognised this and are progressing this in a number of ways. Both Midleton CBS secondary and St Colman’s Community College are getting large extensions which will allow a big increase in their enrolments. After almost 20 years in operation, Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann will finally be moving from the Community Centre, with the planning process started on a site for a permanent 24 classroom school.
“In addition to this, site acquisition is also underway for Midleton Educate Together to move premises to a new 16 classroom school and another 16 classroom school is also promised for the area. All these projects should guarantee sufficient space and modern schools for children in East Cork in future years”, concluded Deputy Stanton.
