Cowen welcomes moves to appoint design team for new Ard Scoil Chiarain

Offaly TD Barry Cowen has welcomed recent efforts to get a design team in place for the development of a new school for Ard Scoil Chiarain in Clara.

The Dayton Villa property and lands (former Parochial House) was purchased last year by Offaly County Council, and Deputy Cowen said it was intended that it would accommodate a newly-constructed Ard Scoil Chiarain school.

The site would also incorporate set-down parking and shared playing fields for adjoining primary schools Scoil Phroinsias Naofa and Covent of Mercy, as well as housing provisions and a town park incorporating Chapel Hill.

"I welcome the recent Laois/Offaly Education and Training Board (ETB) submission to Department of Education seeking approval for the appointment of a design team.

"I have subsequently contacted my colleague, Minister Norma Foley, and will be seeking that this be approved and progressed," said the Fianna Fáil representative.

"I have and remain in contact with my colleague Cllr Frank Moran, Offaly County Council, and Laois Offaly ETB about the future use of existing Ard Scoil Chiarain after the new facility is constructed."

Deputy Cowen said various potential options for the future of the existing school would be explored and considered as part of a feasibility study, including:

- Relocating Youth Reach as an anchor tenant in the building;

- Providing further education and training courses there, enabling onward progression to courses provided by the new TUS technological university in Athlone and Limerick.

- Skills courses for those who have recently found themselves unemployed

· A remote working hub

· A facility which could host "international symposia related to the internationally recognised environmental landscape of Clara Bog, in addition to the Clara Bog Visitor Centre."