Minister Cummins statement following meeting with Scoil Gharbháin

The Principal, Deputy Principal and Chairperson of the Board of Management of Scoil Gharbháin met with Minister for Education, Hildegarde Naughton TD in Leinster House this morning.

The meeting was organised by Minister John Cummins TDand was attended by Minister Mary Butler TD and an official from the Department of Education’s Planning and Building unit.

Scoil Gharbháin outlined their accommodation requirements at the outset.

The meeting was constructive, and progress was made between those representing the school and the Department. The Department expressed that it is committed to fulfilling the accommodation required for the school as part of an overall masterplan for the site.

The Department has committed to appointing a project manager to oversee the progression of the project brief and the overall masterplan for the site, via the modular framework.This will enable the quicker delivery of the project in recognition of the urgent, immediate needs of the school.

The initial phase of the project includes two mainstream classrooms and two special classes.

Engagement will continue now between the Department, the school and the project manager, once appointed, to progress the planning and design of the remaining accommodation required as part of the overall masterplan for the adjacent site which was purchased by the Department for the expansion of Scoil Gharbháin.

Plans for the site will be progressed on the basis that the accommodation needs for the school will be fulfilled. Discussions will take place on how quickly this can be achieved with the aim to progress the additional two mainstream classes as quickly as possible.

The meeting also heard that the Department is carrying out a review of rental accommodation nationally and given that Scoil Gharbháin have an annual rental cost, this will be factored into the overall considerations.

All parties agreed to continue to proactively work together to progress this project for the benefit of students and staff at Scoil Gharbháin.