New Clara school ‘must be delivered’

A new school building for Ard Scoil Chairáin Naofa in Clara must be delivered without further delays, Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack has said this week.

Deputy McCormack raised the issue in the Dáil this week, pointing out that the existing building is simply not fit for purpose.

"It is outdated, overcrowded and lacking in proper facilities. The school community, including teachers, parents and local residents, have been calling for a new building for years. There is a proposed site at Drayton Villa. This site was purchased by Offaly County Council years ago and is to be purchased by the Department of Education, but nothing has happened. We need clarity on this," Deputy McCormack said in the Dáil on Wednesday.

"This project has been in the pipeline for far too long — stretching back to when Brian Cowen was Taoiseach — and it’s time for the Department of Education to stop delaying and get on with it," he told the Offaly Independent yesterday (Thursday).

"The need for a modern, fit-for-purpose school building in Clara is clear. Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa is the only post-primary school serving the town and surrounding area, and it deserves facilities that reflect the standard of education being delivered there," added Deputy McCormack.

He pointed out that a number of years ago, Offaly County Council purchased a site in Clara using property tax funds, with the understanding that the Department of Education would follow up quickly by acquiring it for the construction of a new school.

"That site remains unused, and the local community continues to wait," said Deputy McCormack.

"As someone who served on the Board of Management of Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, I’ve seen first-hand the dedication of the school’s staff and the needs of its students. This isn’t just a school building — it’s an investment in the future of Clara."

He pointed out that since his time on the board, he had worked to keep this issue alive at every level.

"I have continued to push it since entering the Dáil. I’ve also worked closely with Barry Cowen, who has been a relentless advocate for the school and continues to fight for this project to be delivered. Cllr Frank Moran has also been a vital voice on the ground, consistently requesting updates and applying local pressure," he said.

"This is a Fianna Fáil team effort — and I was proud to raise it on behalf of the people of Clara. I was heartened to receive a commitment from the Taoiseach that he will assist in moving this forward," he said.

In response to Deputy McCormack's question in the Dáil on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said additional capital had been allocated to the school building programme.

"Hopefully that might result in further completions this year, but the school building programme is at a record level in terms of the number of buildings, extensions and so forth. I will do everything I can to support the needs of Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa in terms of its building project," he told Deputy McCormack.

Deputy McCormack said the need for the new school building was urgent.

"Let me be absolutely clear: the time for talking is over. The Department of Education under Minister Helen McEntee must stop dragging its feet. This project is ready. The site is there. Now is the time to act.

"We will not rest until the new school for Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa is delivered," he concluded.