New Clonmel Gaelscoil is to be developed on present – and enlarged – site
The sixteen year long wait for a permanent home for Gaelscoil Cluain Meala has taken a step closer to being resolved .
Since the first pupils moved into the former County Council offices in Irishtown in 1994 as their temporary home, the search for a permanent site for the Gaelscoil has involved a drawn out and controversial process.
Over the years a number of moves were mooted which included a transfer to the site of the Tipperary Institute but now it looks as if the school will not have to move very far.
The new site for the Gaelscoil has been confirmed as the present site, including the adjoining machinery yard of South Tipperary County Council.
The news has been welcomed by Oireachtas members in the constituency.
Deputy Mattie McGrath is delighted with the news that a final agreement has been reached between the Department of Education officials and South Tipperary County Council in relation to a site for the Gaelscoil Chluain Meala (subject to full approval from South Tipperary County Council).
"A letter of offer has been received by South Tipperary County Council from Tnaiste Mary Coughlan, Minister for Education, to purchase the present building occupied by the Gaelscoil as well as the adjacent Machinery Yard at Irishtown. The price has been agreed and even better, the funding is available in this current year to finalise the deal." said Deputy McGrath.
A lot of delicate negotiations have taken place over the last two and a half years since being elected but especially over the last number of months since the former Minister for Education, Batt O' Keeffe visited the site some months ago with me" continued McGrath
" I would like to thank the Senior Council officials, the former Minister for Education and the current Minister as well as the Board of Management, staff, parents Council and the wider school community of the Gaelscoil for their forbearance and patience in this long saga." concluded McGrath
Senator Phil Prendergast said that planning should begin as soon as possible on the refurbishment of Gaelscoil Cluain Meala following South Tipperary County Council's agreement to sell the premises to the Department of Education.
"I visited the school with Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore and we saw an obvious need for more classrooms and pupil facilities.
"County Councillors still have to ratify the agreement but considering that conditions at the school have been a matter of concern for 16 years, I expect they will give their consent..
"Assuming this happens, then the Department of Education will have no excuse for failing to fund the works which the board of management have identified as needed.
"The Government's announcement of extra funding for school building works in the revised capital spending programme this week means cash will be available for projects which are ready to go.
"The old County Council office is a listed building which could mean it will take longer to draw up construction plans than usual. So speed could be of the essence." she said.
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Weather for Clonmel
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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