A completely new planning application is now required for the school building project at Scoil an Chroi Naofa in Ballinasloe, Deputy Denis Naughten has been informed.
Dep Naughten had again raised the issue with the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, and was told that because a change in the project, which has now increased to 16 classrooms, has been submitted by the school it is currently being reviewed by the Department of Education Building Unit.
These revisions to the school project were by the school following consultation with Galway County Council and they are currently being reviewed by the Department.
In addition, proposals from Galway County Council to alter the road access layout at the school, in conjunction with the increase in classrooms, means a completely new planning application will now be required for the project.
“This further delay to a project first planned in the last century will come as a big blow to teachers, parents, and pupils considering that planning permission was issued to the school in 2011, extended in 2016, and then expired late last year,” Dep Naughten stated.
“I have made contact with Minister Foley, asking her to intervene to ensure that her Department would review these changes as quickly as possible to allow this project to proceed with a new planning application and avoid any further delays to this long-awaited project.”
