No new school in Carrick-on-Shannon for some time to come

Councillors were disappointed to hear that there is not likely going to be a new school built in Carrick-on-Shannon for some time to come. 

The councillors had written to Minister for Education Norma Foley TD about the provision of a new school for the town but in a response they received from the department, it stated that it could be some time before the much longed for school becomes a reality.

At the meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon municipal district this week, Cllr Enda Stenson said it was "a disappointing reply again and basically says that there won't be a new school anytime soon in Carrick. The schools, where there is massive work being done by the principal and staff, are not fit for purpose."

Cllr Des Guckian, who put the original motion forward, said that response looked as though it was completed by a "junior employee up in the department."

The response stated that €3.5bn has been put into schools throughout the country since 2020 including the completion of over 840 school building projects with construction underway at around 300 projects."

It said the main focus of the department's capital funding over the coming period is on the provision of "critical additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics and children with special needs."

It continued: "The overall position with regard to potential modernisation and replacement of existing infrastructures will be kept under review as capital funding allocation for future years are clarified." 

It stated that the department is considering the optimum way forward for Scoil Mhuire following a technical report on the condition of the school buildings. 

The response stated: "Given the complexity with the existing school properties there is a particular challenge in identifying a solution to the school's current accommodation needs that will support the continued effective operation of the school while presenting a sustainable solution to meet the primary school place needs in Carrick-on-Shannon in the longer term."

The response ended with stating the department had met with the school patron and school authority to discuss how this might be addressed, following on from this, the relevant application forms to support the school's immediate accommodation needs have been sent to the school. 

Cllr Guckian went on to say that the response was "evasive and dismissive of the points put to the minister."

He said he felt it did not take into account the "unique position and the unique needs of schooling in Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon. The minister, it seems to me, does not understand our needs, the lack of space and the growing numbers at the school."