Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is to move to the next stage of architectural planning which will eventually see pupils no longer having to take classes in portacabins.
Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe has approved the school to go towards Stage 2A, the developed sketch scheme, which will allow it to plan for increasing its accommodation.
The current school building can only cater for a maximum of 240 children but there are 414 pupils enrolled. This means that seven classes are held in portacabins and the two resource rooms are also housed in portacabins.
Pupil numbers at the school are expected to increase in September and so another portacabin will be required. This could result in exactly half of the pupils in portacabins and half in the main school building.
Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish has welcomed Minister O’Keeffe’s decision.
“I am delighted the Minister has recognised the importance of providing new accommodation for the school in Knocknacarra,” he said. “I will be working closely with the Minister and the Board of Management to ensure the school progresses through the system as quickly as possible.”
