Minister for Education reiterates support for new Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré building amid ongoing delays

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has this week reaffirmed her Department’s commitment to resolving the ongoing issue of Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré’s quest for a new home whilst also urging the school to engage with rental companies to ensure “units are maintained to an appropriate standard” while the Department of Education considers all available interim options and solutions.

When she visited the school in May, to see for herself the sub-standard conditions in which teachers and students spend their days, Minister Naughton said, “I absolutely accept the need for a new school.”

With thoughts turning towards returning to school following the summer holidays, the wait is still ongoing but Minister Naughton has again insisted the Department is fully supportive of the school’s quest for a new home.

In reply to representation from Cllr Thomas Walsh, Minister Naughton commented, “I can confirm that my Department is in receipt of an application under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré. The application is currently under assessment.

“As part of the NDP Implementation Plan for the education and youth sector, a first tranche of projects to progress to tender and/or construction during 2026 and 2027 was published in January 2026.

“Prioritisation will continue to identify further tranches of projects to proceed to tender and construction over the NDP period, with stakeholder consultation to commence in June 2026.

“Our NDP Implementation Plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.”

Having seen the below par facilities for herself earlier this year, Minister Naughton remarked, “I visited Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré in Sligo on May 14, and met with the school leadership, parents and members of the wider school community and saw firsthand how Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré is making a hugely positive contribution to education in Sligo, creating a vibrant learning environment where children can thrive academically, socially and culturally through the Irish language. The strong sense of community and partnership between staff, pupils and parents is clear to see.”

Minister Naughton also addressed the current facilities saying, “The new school project is in train, and efforts are continuing to resolve the rental accommodation issue. The school has been advised to engage with the rental companies to ensure the units are maintained to an appropriate standard while my Department considers all available interim options and solutions.

The Minister concluded by saying, “I can assure you that all options are being considered and my department will continue to support the school and has been in recent discussions with the school authority.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.