School site acquisition agreed in Brooklodge

An agreement, ‘in principle’, has been reached regarding the acquisition of land in Brooklodge, Glanmire for the development of a new special education school for the area.

News of the acquisition comes following a Parliamentary Question submitted by Cork North Central TD, Pádraig O’Sullivan.

Deputy O’Sullivan asked Minister for Education, Norma Foley for an update regarding the identification of a site for a new special school in Glanmire. He also asked whether an agreement had been reached ‘in principle’ with the landowner.

Responding to the Deputy’s queries, Minister Foley stated that officials in the Department have been working towards the acquisition of a permanent site to meet the needs of a new special school, noting that they had engaged with Cork County Council officials on the matter.

“I am pleased to confirm the agreement in principle has been reached with the local authority regarding the purchase of a site at Brooklodge Glanmire”.

Acquisition of the Brooklodge site is subject to valuation, contract and agreement of elected members of the Local Authority.

Minister Foley continued, “I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with Cork City Council to advance the acquisition of this site for the school in question”.

Following the recent announcement, Deputy O’Sullivan thanked Cork City Council for making the site available and Minister Foley and her office for their work on the matter.

“It’s great news for special education provision in Cork, but there’s still a long way to go,” Deputy O’Sullivan said.