Development at Wicklow secondary school facing fresh setback
The Wicklow PeopleThe cost of levelling a site has emerged as one of the main issues for a new school building project at Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew.
Delivered on behalf of the Department of Education, Coláiste Bhríde’s new school is part of The Exchequer Funded Schools Programme’s ‘Project Dargle’, which includes Avondale Community College in Rathdrum, St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin and Arklow CBS.
The proposed development at Coláiste Bhríde will see the existing school buildings, temporary classrooms and ball courts demolished and removed.
The existing 1930s school building will be refurbished alongside a new extension for use as a school library.
The new school building will include space for classrooms, a Special Education Needs unit with a secured rooftop play area, a general-purpose hall, a multi-use hall and a range of outdoor play and amenity areas.
The existing vehicular entrance at the northeast of the site off the R725 regional road will be upgraded, with the vehicular entrance at the northwest of the site off the R725 relocated.
A new pedestrian entrance off the R725 is also proposed, as well as a new set-down area adjoining the R725 for cars and school buses, along with 92 car spaces.
Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, is a special case as it seeks inclusion of a playing pitch with the building project. The new school will have a capacity for 1,000 students but there is no playing pitch included.
The school put a proposal to the National Development Finance Agency, for pitch groundworks, which was rejected, but it is hoped the Department will reconsider.
Following a question from Wicklow TD Edward Timmins in the Dáil, junior minister Michael Moynihan said the project is currently in the final stages of stage 2b.
This is an important stage which allows for detailed design and planning, obtaining necessary statutory permissions and preparation of tender documents. Stage 2b is currently being finalised.
“The length of time a project takes to go through each stage varies depending on a number of factors, including scale and complexity.” he added. In response Deputy Timmins said these new schools are badly needed to help meet the growing demand for places in the area.
“At St. Kevin's Community College in Dunlavin demand for places continues to grow. Planning has been in place for over two years. Dunlavin and its hinterland population continue to grow, and the school serves east Kildare as well as west Wicklow. There is a plan for four rooms for special classes.
“The lack of suitable rooms in the current build means students' options are limited. The library is now a classroom. Computer rooms have been converted to general classrooms.”
“The new school campus for Avondale Community College in Rathdrum will see capacity at the secondary school increase from 660 to 1,000 students. The school is over capacity with many rooms and spaces no longer fit for purpose. The project is currently stalled, as school management wait on the new build."
Deputy Timmins also pushed for clarity on the future of a separate building project at Blessington Community College.
“There is a project, for which we have been promised a sod-turning next May, in Blessington Community College in west Wicklow. That project has been put back on several occasions. The school is currently full of prefabs. It desperately needs a school building in what is a massively growing town just 19 miles from where we sit today."
“I ask that this project move to final tender stage and a contractor be appointed as soon as possible.
In response minister Moynihan acknowledged the importance of getting these school projects over the line.
“Wicklow is one of the major challenges we have in terms of school capacity each year. At post-primary level, there is always a challenge. The projects are at stage 2b, with full planning permission granted.”
“I take the points the deputy made about capacity issues in Dunlavin, Rathdrum and across Wicklow. It is great to see there will be four additional special classrooms in St. Kevin's Community College.”
“This is what we need for an integrated policy. It is at stage 2b and is currently being finalised. I will ensure the Department, and everybody concerned works closely to finalise it as fast as possible.”
“There is a lot of pressure on the system, particularly in Wicklow, with regard to school places. I will endeavour to get a more detailed response for the deputy on the issues he raised.”
“Suffice to say, these projects are bundled together, and we are committed to working through them.” he added.
Since 2020, the Department of Education has invested over €6 billion in school projects throughout the country under the national development plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. Over €234 million has been invested in schools across County Wicklow in that period.