by Andrew Carey
THREE primary schools on the Northside of Limerick city are to be merged to allow for the relocation of Gaelscoil Sairseal from Bridge Street to the current site of St Munchin’s CBS Boys School on the Shelbourne Road.
Speaking to The Limerick Post on Wednesday morning, Education MinisterJan O’Sullivan said her department was happy to support and fully fund the extensive works needed to facilitate the two major educational projects in the city.
At the end of the summer school term, St Munchin’s and St Lelia’s National School in Kileely will close and merge with the Convent Girls Primary School Ballynanty which will be renamed.
The amalgamation and merger is set to realise greater resources and funds for the schools when they join as one.
Minister O’Sullivan said that the amalgamation of the three schools and the subsequent relocation of Gaelscoil Sairseal was a major step in the right direction for primary school education on the northside of the city as it will bring student numbers to well over 200 at the new school.
A committee has been set up to oversee the merger, deal with enrolments, decide on a name for the school and design a new uniform.
Minster O’Sullivan said that the move was a great development for Gaelscoil Sairseal, who could finally look forward to having more than adequate accommodations to cater for their teaching needs.
“We are happy to support this move and the separate merger and provide the funding for the extensive works and upgrades required”, she said.
It is expected that the opening of the new school and the relocation of Gaelscoil Sairseal, will take place in time for the new school year next September.
