Ministers launch ‘ambitious’ school development plans

It’s been a tough two years for staff and students in local schools, but on Thursday morning last, some good news was delivered to two Mullingar secondary schools when the Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD visited the town.

Flanked by her colleague, Longford Westmeath TD and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Robert Troy, TD, the minister signalled the green light for multi-million euro building projects at Mullingar Community College and St Finian’s College.

The first port of call was Mullingar Community College, where Minister Foley announced the sanctioning of an extensive modular build project which will include the development of six new general classrooms, science labs, science prep areas, art rooms, technology/technology prep rooms, a music room, a user-assisted WC, two class-based SEN units, a DCG room, principal’s office, canteen and staff room.

Minister Foley said that the project would provide “significant additionality” for the school, which would “facilitate the smooth operation of teaching and learning in the school environment”.

The news was welcomed by Ms Liz Lavery, chief executive of Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, the organisation charged with the management of Mullingar Community College.

Mr Brian Higgins, LWETB’s director of Schools, Youth and Music, said that the project “will be a great boost to the community”, and the news is made all the more welcome by the fact that the school “is growing in numbers year on year”.

“We’re delighted,” said principal Seamus Mohan. “It’s a massive, massive boost to the school community. Obviously the news has been filtering down to the students and staff throughout the day, and there’s a huge buzz around the place.”

Mr Mohan said that the last time a major project had been sanctioned at Mullingar Community College was the early-to-mid 1990s, and the school was delighted that this day had come.

Minister Robert Troy said of the Mullingar Community College announcement: “This is the first visit to Mullingar by an Education Minister in almost 20 years, and I am thrilled that Minister Foley has come today to announce this fantastic investment at Mullingar Community College.

“This expansion and development is something which has been actively sought by successive boards of management at the school. I am pleased to have worked closely with former chairperson, Cllr Ken Glynn and current chair, Cllr Mick Dollard, as well as all of the board representatives and school management in advancing this project to today’s point.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the hard working staff of Longford Westmeath ETB and to Minister Foley and her officials for recognising the huge merits in this project for generations of students who will attend the school.

“Mullingar Community College has a rich history of education provision and it is great to see such a substantial and long overdue investment finally becoming a reality for students and staff alike.”

Minister Foley toured the classrooms at the school and spoke to the students, among whom was young Elvira Taranenko, who has recently arrived from Ukraine and has joined the school community.

St Finian’s

After a stop at the Joe Dolan statue on Market Square, Minister Foley headed for St Finian’s College to announce a massive building project which will benefit not only the diocesan school, but also the pupils and staff of St Mary’s Special School in Delvin.

Ministers Foley and Troy were greeted by principal John McHale, president Fr Paul Connell, members of the board of management of St Finian’s, and members of the parents’ council of St Mary’s, Delvin.

Minister Foley spoke at length to students and staff, with the latter ensconced in the school gym on an in-service day.

In October, Westmeath County Council gave St Finian’s planning approval for the project, which will include the upgrading and refurbishment of the main school building, which is a protected structure, and the construction of a two-storey western extension to the main school building, with a new entrance point at lower ground floor level, as well as the upgrading and refurbishment of the gymnasium and the construction of a new changing building.

As well as the construction of the new St Mary’s Special School, there are also plans to construct a new two-storey building to the north to accommodate technology classrooms and science laboratories and a new three-storey building to the east to accommodate art classrooms.

The redevelopment will also involve the construction of an all-weather sports pitch to replace an existing grass pitch to the north of the school buildings, six ball courts and landscaped terraced seating to the rear of the main school building. There are also plans for a new vehicular access from the Longford Road and the provision of 92 new car parking spaces and 110 bicycle spaces.

Mr McHale welcomed the minister’s seal of approval for the initiative, and paid tribute to the Bishop of Meath and his predecessor for tying St Mary’s into the project.

“Our patron, Bishop Deenihan, has kindly given one of our pitches to St Mary’s Special School, Delvin, and they will have a separate school built here at the same time that our college is being refurbished,” Mr McHale told the Westmeath Examiner.

“I’d like to commend the generosity of Bishop Deenihan and his predecessor Bishop Smith for their generous offer to the department.

“I was particularly impressed with the minister’s approach today, where she had time for everybody. She spoke at length to the students, who came in specially today.

“She spoke with our ancillary staff, and spoke with our secretaries. She gave time to all our staff when I introduced her to the different working groups.

“She came across as a genuine person, who’s interested in the development of our school and the development and promotion of education generally.”

Minister Foley was due to visit St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge and Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan to announce a new projects, but had to postpone due to her attendance at an emergency Cabinet sub-committee meeting related to the Ukraine crisis.