‘Important step’ as Ballinasloe school project moves to tender
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Plans for a new school building for Ballinasloe's Scoil an Chroi Naofa have moved to tender, with the latest development being described as "an important step".
A new 16-classroom primary school with three additional classrooms for pupils with special educational needs for Scoil an Chroí Naofa was included in the Department of Education's construction programme in 2025, with those plans approved to move tender as of October 28.
Over 300 attend the school, while there is also a growing waiting list, which Claire Kerrane TD said last year "cannot be touched without additional capacity being made available".
Scoil an Chroí Naofa was created in 1996, as an amalgamation of St Grellan's and Girls School, with an understanding from the Department of Education that there would be a new school build.
However, over the intervening three decades, the plans have been mired in delays, despite the glaring need for an upgrade. One of the building dates back to the 1930s while the second was built in the 1970s.
The mixed school has classes from Junior Infants to 6th class with a Special Class for children with autism and two Special Classes for children with Developmental Language Delay. It has 13 mainstream teachers, 14 Special Education teachers and 7 Special Needs Assistants.
"This is a massive milestone for the delivery of a new school in Ballinasloe," said Cllr Alan Harney.
"We know that the school community has been waiting over 25 years for the delivery of a new school building. Conditions that the students and teachers have been working under have been absolutely dire. I'm hoping this announcement will give them a huge boost."
Dr Martin Daly said the progress was a testament to the "commitment and determination" of Principal Christine O'Connor and her predecessors, as well as the schools Board of Management.
"The pupils, families and staff deserve this investment," he added.
Welcoming the news, the school wrote: "This is the long-awaited move forward our school community has hoped for. Thanks to everyone who has helped us to get to this stage. We look forward to seeing diggers on site before long!"