An architectural design team will be appointed for a new school project in Stranorlar in the coming weeks.
Local Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill has received confirmation from the Secretary General at the Department of Education the work will commence by Easter.
The Donegal Senator said; “It was extremely disappointing for everyone when the Government dropped the project from the multi-annual School Building Programme 2012-2016, despite the fact that the project reached an advanced stage.”
“Notwithstanding this, I have been continuing to pursue the urgent need for a new School and i now welcome the fact that an Architectural Design Team for the project will be appointed by Easter.
“This follows a tendering process which commenced on January 13th. Following the appointment of the team I can confirm that the architectural planning process will begin with immediate effect.”
A meeting will take place in the Department of Education Offices in Tullamore between representatives from the School Board of Management and Department officials on Monday 10th February next to discuss the design process.
The Fianna Fail Senator added “It is important to note that the project is still not included in the five year Programme, but the project will now continue to be progresses to final design stages in anticipation of the possibility of further funds being made available to the Department.
“I will be continuing to pursue the need to progress this project to construction at every turn as new enrolments at the School have continued to grow over the last number of years with 57 new pupils enrolling in 2010, 67 in 2011, 74 in 2012 and 68 in 2013. This brings the total number of pupils at the School to 479.
“However it’s unacceptable that 33% of the pupils continue to be taught in prefabricated units and in addition to this it is wholly unacceptable that 41% of the children are being taught in classrooms with no running water, shared toiled facilities which date back to the 1950’s.”