Senator Seán Kyne raised the slow progress on a new school building for Scoil Caitríona Junior & Senior Primary Schools, Renmore with Minister for Education Norma Foley in the Seanad.
Senator Kyne acknowledged the engagement between the Department and the School Board of Management over recent years, but expressed his deep concern on the lack of progress for the schools’ 800 pupils and over 60 staff.
Senator Kyne informed the Minister that the issue of lack of Green Space can be resolved by the use of the adjacent lands owned by Galway City Council and that this is a viable solution to the confined size of the site.
Minister Foley said that that the Department is anxious to advance the building projects for the schools into the architectural planning process.
“However, the complexities associated with the existing site need to be resolved and the Department is currently exploring the options available,” she said.
Minister Foley is to hold a meeting next week with Oireachtas members to discuss issues regarding the schools.
Senator Kyne reiterated that there is a solution and what is needed now is recognition by the Department of this and to progress rapidly to design, planning and construction for the nearly 800 pupils in the schools.
