Planning approval for new Ballinasloe school building

Senator Aisling Dolan has welcomed the approval of a planning application for a new school building for Scoil An Chroí Naofa in Ballinasloe.

Senator Dolan said the planning decision last week was "the next step in a long journey for the teaching staff, pupils, families and board of management".

The planning permission is based on a brand new design for a larger two-storey school building with an additional three classrooms, and a total of 16 classrooms.

There will be a new access road to the side beside the library with safe new pick up and drop off at the back of the building as well as a new playing pitch and play areas. "It really is going to be a fantastic new primary school building for Ballinasloe," the Fine Gael senator enthused.

“The people of Ballinasloe have waited 27 years for a new school building in town. We have excellent teaching staff but an old building which can be freezing in the winter. Now this is the next step to a new school for close to 300 children. Already this year we have a waiting list for children for school places and especially children with special needs across our national primary schools – we need larger schools and more capacity.

This school has close to 300 students and is a DEIS Level 1 school where families travel from all across counties Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath to attend.

“In 1996 the boys and girls national school amalgamated with the promise of a new school," she said, and since then five boards of management and five principals had worked to bring the project forward."

Senator Dolan acknowledged the work of Principal Christine Connor and the current board of management and patron Bishop Michael Duignan with the Design Team and the Department of Education.

“It will be a fantastic new high spec school building for families in this town," she said.

Senator Dolan said she looked forward to working with Scoil An Chroí Noafa, the Department of Education and the design team to move this to the next stage meeting the requirements of the planning conditions and preparing tender documents for construction.

"I would also like to thank the council for working pro-actively with the Department of Education to accommodate the new school build.

“This project is a major priority for me and I have spoken often with Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Special Education & Inclusion Josepha Madigan on the importance of this school.”