There was good news for two schools in Westport this week with the confirmation that Holy Trinity National School and Sacred Heart Secondary School will be getting new buildings.
Last Friday, after 12 long years in waiting, Holy Trinity National School Westport received a letter from the Department of Education confirming that they will be the sole school located on their new site on Altamount Street, Westport.
"We would like to thank everyone for the part they have played in securing our school", said Principal, Orla Brickenden. "We are grateful to all the public representatives, the local councillors, TDs and all of the people who have worked so hard to make this happen. Also, the Minister, Norma Foley and her team, for seeing that this is the only fair option for our children.
"The 200-year-old Holy Trinity NS is full to capacity and desperate to expand. It is a lively, vibrant Church of Ireland school in the heart of Westport town which welcomes pupils of all faiths and none. Its current enrolment is 62 pupils and it continues to thrive despite its facilities and building."
Deputy Michael Ring stated: "I am truly delighted to confirm that Holy Trinity National School will proceed as a single school project on the site at Altamount Street, Westport. I worked consistently on this issue to ensure that Holy Trinity School would be the only new school build on this site.
"They had been approved a new build but the Department proposed that a second primary school would be located on this site. Before I left Ministerial office, I got a cast-iron guarantee from the former Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, that this would not be allowed to happen.
"I raised this matter on the floor of the Dáil and continued to raise it at every opportunity. I am very pleased that official confirmation has now been issued to Holy Trinity National School."
On the same day it was also announced that there will be a new school building for the Sacred Heart School, Westport.
Deputy Michael Ring also welcomed this news saying: "I am delighted that the Department of Education have confirmed that a new school will be built for the Sacred Heart School. The Minister informed me that the Department has been engaging with the Sacred Heart School, Westport and CEIST, as its patron, regarding the long-term accommodation needs of the school.
"The Department of Education, having assessed these requirements, has determined that the optimum solution for the school is provision of a new school building on the current wider school site. As part of this planned project, the Department will be seeking to make provision for Westport Educate Together National School within some current Sacred Heart School accommodation which is expected to be surplus to Sacred Heart School’s requirements.
"I have worked tirelessly both with the present Minister for Education and the former Minister for Education advocating a new school build for the Sacred Heart School. This has been an ongoing battle. I have lobbied hard for a new school for the Sacred Heart School.
"I wish to commend and compliment Majella Morrison, Principal of the Sacred Heart School, on all the hard work she has put in to this project. I also wish to commend the Chairperson and the members of the Board of Management on the tremendous work they too have put in over the years in progressing this project."
