McCormack and Fitzpatrick demand urgent action on Geashill NS extension

Two Offaly politicians has called for urgent action on the long-awaited special education extension of Geashill National School – saying that its 'school community' deserves certainty.

Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack and Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick (Non Party) has joined forces to call for urgent progress on the matter, warning that that children and teachers should not be left waiting years for essential facilities. Both has called on the Department of Education to prioritise the project, 'cut unnecessary red tape', and to 'provide a clear timeline for construction'.

Cllr Fitzpatrick visited the school today (Monday) to meet with principal Micheal Hyland and see first-hand the need for the new facilities, while Deputy McCormack has written directly to the Minister for Education seeking urgent intervention. Deputy McCormack will also visit the school this week at the invitation of the principal.

Geashill National School opened an autism class in September 2022, adding to its two existing classes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The school temporarily converted its hall and general-purpose room into classroom accommodation on the understanding that a purpose-built extension would follow.

Approval for the development was granted in September 2022, with plans for a dedicated special education classroom base, additional smaller rooms and a central activity space. Although planning permission was secured in February 2026, the project has yet to progress to construction.

Following the submission of its Stage 2B report in April, the school was informed that the project would be subject to a further review under the Department's National Development Plan prioritisation process, with the next tranche of projects not expected to be confirmed until 2027.

Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said his visit to the school reinforced the urgent need to move the project forward.

"Having visited Geashill NS on Monday and seen the situation for myself, I can fully understand the frustration of the principal, teachers and Board of Management. This is an excellent school providing a hugely important service to children and families, particularly those with additional educational needs. The staff are doing tremendous work, but they need the proper facilities to support that work.

"The school was asked to make temporary arrangements back in 2022, and four years later they are still waiting. That simply isn't good enough. We cannot keep asking schools to make do while projects move through one review after another. The children attending Geashill deserve the very best educational environment we can provide, and that means getting this extension built. I am determined to keep the pressure on until we see real progress. This is a very important project for Geashill and the surrounding communities."

Deputy McCormack said he has written to the Minister for Education calling for the project to be prioritised and progressed to construction without further delay.

"We have a school where the need is clearly established, approval was granted four years ago and planning permission is now in place. Yet there is still no definite timeline for construction. That is incredibly frustrating for everyone involved, particularly the children, their families and the dedicated staff who have been so patient. I have written directly to the Minister asking that this project be progressed as a matter of urgency.

"We need to take a serious look at how we deliver school infrastructure in this country. Of course, proper planning and oversight are essential, but we must also be willing to reduce unnecessary red tape and speed up the process.

When a project has been approved, has planning permission and meets a clear educational need, our focus should be on getting it built as quickly as possible. Every year of delay is another year that children and teachers are working in accommodation that was only intended as a temporary solution," said Deputy McCormack.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said the school community deserves certainty rather than another lengthy period of waiting.

"The principal and Board of Management have worked extremely hard to get this project to where it is today. They have followed the process, secured planning permission and demonstrated the need for the facilities. It is very disappointing that they are now facing further uncertainty.

We all recognise the importance of investing in special education, but that investment has to translate into actual classrooms and facilities for children,” he said.

"Geashill National School is at the heart of its community, and I want to see this project delivered. Tony and I will continue working together to make sure the school's concerns are heard at the highest level," he added.

Deputy McCormack said the delays highlighted a wider challenge in delivering essential public infrastructure.

"We are making significant investment in education, and rightly so, but we also have to make sure that funding delivers results on the ground. Principals and Boards of Management should not have to spend years chasing projects that have already been approved. Their priority should be educating children, not navigating endless administrative processes. I look forward to visiting the school this week, meeting the principal and seeing the situation first-hand. Eddie and I are united in wanting to see this extension delivered. We will continue pressing the Department for a firm timeline and the earliest possible start to construction," said Deputy McCormack.

Both public representatives praised principal Micheal Hyland, the Board of Management, and the teaching staff for their dedication and commitment to providing the best possible education for pupils despite the challenges posed by the delays.

Deputy McCormack and Cllr Fitzpatrick concluded by calling on the Department of Education to give Geashill National School the certainty it deserves and move the project forward.