The project which was set to provide Athlone Community College (ACC ) with a much-needed new building has been put off indefinitely.
The large secondary school which is bulging at the seams has been operating for some years now without adequate and basic facilities. It was hoped that after receiving approval almost two years ago that a new school building would be in place in the near future.
However, Mayor of Athlone and VEC member, Cllr Egbert Moran, said this week he understood that the project had “been put off indefinitely”.
A deputation consisting of representatives such as Fianna Fail TD Mary O’Rourke, and Fine Gael Senator Nicky McFadden, met with the Minister of Education Batt O’Keeffe TD recently. According to Cllr Moran, following the meeting, it was felt that a new school will certainly not be a reality within the next year or two.
This comes despite the project having already received approval nearly two years ago. In fact last March a public meeting was held by Westmeath VEC in an effort to advance plans which they said had been delayed by the Department of Education for nine months.
A statement received at the time said that the VEC had submitted a schedule of accommodation in July 2007 and it had been expected that a design team would have been put in place before Christmas of that year.
It was also revealed at the time that delays occurred despite the fact that two letters dating back to November 2006 stated that the school “was authorised to commence architectural planning with immediate effect”. Local councillors and other interested parties called on the Government to honour pre-election promises.
Five months on and the situation seems to have deteriorated. Cllr Moran this week explained that “because of the recession other schools have been prioritised”.
“It’s unfortunate news but I think people have come to realise that the money is just not there. We happen to be unlucky because we were very near to getting it, we had approval,” he said.
Speaking about the meeting with Minister O’Keeffe, Deputy O’Rourke said that the members of the VEC put a very strong case forward which was given “great attention”. However, the Minister had told the deputation that the project would not go ahead this year. In fact, he said that “there will be no new buildings this year”, according to Deputy O’Rourke who added that the ACC will certainly still be “very high on his list of priorities”.
Regarding the issue of whether there will be a new school in the near future, Deputy O’Rourke could only say that she was sure “there will be a school as it’s very much needed”. She added that unfortunately, the project had been “given approval by the previous Minister without the money to back it up”.
“I will certainly continue to push the case forward and will be talking with the Minister about it,” said Deputy O’Rourke.
