Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has raised the issue of the need for a new school building for Gaelscoi na gCeithrel Mhaistrí in Donegal Town with the Department of Education.
He said there is a clear and urgent need for a new school building for the Gaelscoil.
A delegation from the school previously met with officials from the Department of Education in the Dáil while Deputy Gallagher said he has raised this issue on a continuous basis with the Minister and his officials .
Pat the Cope said the reply from the Minister said the plans for the new school have been submitted.
The Minister replied “My Department recently received the Stage 2a submission from the Design Team, which is now under review. Following the Department’s review of the submission, a Stakeholders meeting will be arranged, to which the school will be invited, and if there are no issues outstanding after the Stage 2(a) meeting the project can be authorised to progress to Stage 2b (Detailed Design Stage). This stage includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate, Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. ”
Deputy Gallagher said that while he welcomes the progress to date on the Gaelscoil project, it must be admitted that actual progress is slow and extremely time-consuming.
He added “I am imploring on the Department that a fresh impetus and renewed determination is given to this project in order to quickly move it to the next stage.
“This project needs to get to actual design stage and a full planning application be lodged with Donegal County Council, until we get to this juncture in the project, we will not see the end line in sight.
“Therefore, I am requesting the Minister and the Department to finalise the current stage without delay, and to sanction the next step in this project .”