Staff and students at Cloonakilla got a welcome Christmas gift this week, with the news that construction is to begin on a new school next year.
The school is to be included in the five-year school building programme for 2015, details of which were announced this week by Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan. It is one of 16 schools nationwide which will proceed to tender and construction next year.
The school is currently unable to cater for all the students looking for places.
Deputy Denis Naughten said the work must now be fast-tracked, as Cloonakilla NS services one of the fastest growing communities in county Roscommon.
“This project cannot and should not be delayed. It is a ‘shovel ready’ project and should proceed immediately.
“My fear is that the project could now be grouped with other schools which are not as far advanced as the Cloonakilla NS project and this could slow down the start of the construction phase.
“I want to acknowledge the important role played by the teachers, parents, and board of management of the school in pushing this issue with the Government representatives.”
