“A major setback to education in Galway” is how Mayor Padraig Conneely has described a decision by the Department of Education which will prevent Colaiste na Corribe building a much needed new school premises in Knocknacarra.
Colaiste na Corribe is currently operating out of a number of buildings on the Tuam Road. Although the school is successful with c180 on its waiting list, its current location is unsatisfactory. School buildings are located in different areas, there are little or no sports facilities, and not enough room for all those looking to enrol in the Irish language school.
As a result, Colaiste na Corribe is seeking new premises and is looking to build a new school on the Ballymoneen Road in Knocknacarra.
However its plans received a major setback this week when it was revealed that the Department of Education has prevented the VEC from entering into negotiations with the Galway City Council to purchase the land in Knocknacarra.
This means that the VEC can not now proceed to buy the site for a school it has planning permission for. In a Catch-22 situation, with the VEC not owning the land or being able to negotiate for it, the Department of Education now cannot include Colaiste na Corribe on its school building programme.
Three years ago City Hall bought land around the Ballymoneen Road by compulsory purchase order for housing. The VEC requested land for the school and the area was rezoned to accommodate. Planning permission was sought and granted. However some local residents opposed but those objections were overturned by An Bord Pleanála.
Armed with planning permission and a suitable site, the way was now clear for the VEC to buy the land and have it included on the department’s school building programme.
However the VEC - and the school - were delivered a shock at the recent VEC meeting when a letter from the Department of Education instructed the body that “under no circumstances” was the VEC to enter into discussions with City Hall to buy the land “until further notice”.
The situation leaves City Hall with institutionally zoned land it cannot sell to a body that is willing to buy it but is not allowed negotiate for it. Meanwhile Colaiste na Corribe have to endure its current location.
The department’s instructions to the VEC have been condemned by the Mayor of Galway and vice-chairman of the VEC Padraig Conneely as “a major setback to education in Galway”.
“Colaiste na Corribe is a very successful school but it has been shafted by the Department of Education,” he told the Galway Advertiser. “They have no money and so they are stalling the project. It goes to show that this Government - with a minister and two TDs in the constituency - is ignoring the city. As an Irish language school this is also a slap in the face to Gaeilge and I hope Irish language activists will make a fuss about this.”
