New Knocknacarra school building faces year-long delay
The new Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh school building in Knocknacarra has been delayed by a year, because the new site has still not been formally acquired by the Department of Education.
The new building, which will have 24 classrooms and a capacity for 600 pupils, was expected to open in September.
The Department entered an agreement to purchase a 4.5-acre site at Millars Lane from NAMA.
However, the site acquisition has still not been completed, so construction work has not even started yet.
Seán Ó Leidhinn, Chairman of the Board of Management told Galway City Council that, as a result of the delays, the school will have to remain at its existing site in Cimín Mór on the Cappagh Road.
“You will be aware that the Department of Education and Skills approved a 24 classroom school on a greenfield site for Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in April 2013, which was due to be completed by September 2016 at the latest.
“However, despite everyone’s continuing best efforts, the target of September 2016 will not be achieved.
“The Department has informed the Board of Management that the acquisition of the site for the school is expected to be finalised very shortly.
“It has also been confirmed to the Board that once the acquisition is complete, the building project will commence. Accordingly, both the Department and the Board are confident that the new school building will be completed in time for occupation in September 2017,” Mr Ó Leidhinn said.
The new school will have 24 classrooms, a general purpose room, a server, a library and resource room and special education classrooms, as well as 36 parking spaces.
Part of the site will be used as a large grass play area, ball courts and an enclosed junior play area.