The way has been cleared for planning to proceed on the construction of a new multi-million euro Community School in Ennistymon.
After more than 30 years of campaigning, the amalgamation of Ennistymon CBS, Scoil Mhuire and Ennistymon Vocational School will facilitate the biggest development in education in North Clare since the foundation of the State.
Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has confirmed: “I have received confirmation from Education Minister Richard Bruton that stage 2B approval has been given for the new Community School. This will enable the project to proceed to planning permission stage and will also allow for fire certification and the preparation of tender documents.”
He said it is hoped that construction will commence this year and, all going well, that a new state-of-the-art Community School will be completed at a greenfield site on the Lahinch Road in 2018.
“I have worked very closely with the amalgamation committee and I want to pay tribute to them and everyone involved in moving this project forward. A significant number of technical issues have already been resolved locally and this is a big day for the schools, their boards of management and for the wider community of North Clare.
“The existing school buildings are no longer fit for purpose and the new building will have modern IT facilities as well as science and technology resources and a multi-purpose gymnasium.
“This is a significant investment in an educational resource that will benefit not only the school-going population but the entire North Clare community and I am delighted to have played a role in bringing it closer to completion,” Deputy Carey concluded.