CONSTRUCTION of a new €10million primary school in Monaleen moved a step closer yesterday when planning permission was granted by Limerick City and County Council.
The planning application includes the demolition of the existing single storey school buildings and the provision of a two storey building which will accommodate 34 classrooms, including two special needs classrooms.
The 5,500 square metre building will also include a general purpose room, library, resource rooms, staff room and ancillary accommodation.
Associated site works include ball courts, yard area, grass playing areas, car parking, drop-off zone, bicycle parking, boundary walls, pedestrian access points and traffic calming measures.
In a tweet to parents, school principal Tony Cahill said the next element would be to finalise detailed design, followed by Department approval and the tendering process.
Construction should get under way in Spring of next year and it is anticipated that construction will be completed by 2024.
Sinn Féin Senator, Paul Gavan said that as the expansion of Castletory and Monaleen continues at a rapid pace, the pressures on local schools were becoming very apparent. So, the news that Monaleen has been granted planning for a new school will be welcomed by everyone in the area.
“We must ensure that this project goes ahead as early as possible to ensure we can continue to provide first class education to our young people,” he added.
Local Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell said he appreciated the frustration of parents, pupils and the school community with the lengthy process in bringing the project to its current state.
“However, we now have a defined structured process underway, where the key step of obtaining planning permission is now secured towards getting the school built as quickly as possible.
He said the fact that the project was under the auspices of the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) was a major advantage as they are locally based and bring a wealth of expertise and experience in delivering school building projects in Limerick and Clare.
