Major expansion of Coláiste Mhuire being planned

Plans are underway for a major expansion of Coláiste Mhuire secondary school in Mullingar.

The expansion is being considered by the Department of Education's strategic forward planning team as it looks to provide additional school places in the town.

The news has been welcomed by Minister Peter Burke, who says that the shortage of school places in Mullingar needs to be addressed.

“We have seen pressure on our schools for places right across the sector in both primary and secondary schools in recent years, and again this month.

“We have pupils taking buses to schools outside the town to get a place, away from their friends, away from family supports and this needs to be addressed. I am pleased that there has been positive engagement on a large extension to the existing school building in Coláiste Mhuire Mullingar and I look forward to continued collaboration to bring much needed additional places on board in the future.

“The department's Accommodation Needs Assessment and Modular Delivery Section are in discussions to design the best possible result for reconfiguring, extending and retaining current buildings to bring additional space to the restricted site,” commented Minister Burke.

In an email to Minister Burke, the department said that as part of its “strategic forward planning for mainstream and special education provision at both primary and post primary level”, it has been “considering overall school accommodation requirements in the town”.

“The Accommodation Needs Assessment and Modular Delivery Section have been in touch with Coláiste Mhuire about their project and are making good progress.

“Discussions are taking place about a new development which would include a large extension to the existing school, reconfiguration of some of the existing school buildings and the retention of the school's PE hall to the greatest extent possible.

“Costings are being carried out and the intention is to provide another update in the near future.”