Coláiste Chraoibhín extension ‘on schedule’ for summer completion
EDUCATION Minister Joe McHugh has pledged to pull out all the stops to ensure the new €5.9 million extension at Coláiste An Chraoibhín in Fermoy is opened before the start of the next academic year.
The Minister was speaking as he made a courtesy visit the school during which the issue of the extension, which has been dogged by delays since the turning of the first sod back in 2015, was raised.
Work ground to a halt on the building last summer after it emerged the construction company undertaking the project, which it is understood was 90% complete, went into examinership.
The High Court’s appointment of an interim examiner to the Kildare-based Sammon Contracting Group came following the liquidation of the UK firm Carillion, which had hired the Irish company to build the extension and several educational facilities in Ireland.
Minister McHugh met with school representatives and local politicians, who briefed him about the ongoing saga, the difficulties it had posed for staff and students and the frustration felt by the local community.
Addressing the issue, Minister McHugh said the extension was on schedule to be finished by this summer and that his department, in cooperation with the Cork Education and Training Board, would do “everything possible” to make sure it would be opened by September.
As reported in The Corkman last week, tender documentation for the completion of the extension was been issued to contractors earlier this month.
Minister McHugh was also told about the difficulties faced by some students from the area in securing a place at local secondary schools, a subject subsequently addressed by East Cork Labour TD Seán Sherlock, who called for a cap on enrolment currently in place at the Coláiste to be reviewed.
“I believe the CETB should review the cap in August, so that if the works are done on time those who do not have places (in the school) as of today, would receive a place in September,” he said.
During the visit Minister McHugh toured the facilities at the school, met with students and acknowledged the high quality of care and leading he was clearly evident there. He said that he looked forward to returning to the school in the near future to officially open the new extension.
Board of management chair Julie Nolan thanked the Minister on behalf of the school community for the personal interest he has shown in the school and in particular for his efforts he and his department are making to ensure the swift completion of the extension.