'We need our new school' says Curraghmore prinicpal

(Above) Curraghmore NS's new home on the Ardmore Road.

The principal of Curraghmore National School has urged all parties involved in the delivery of its new home to make sure it is ready for the start of the school year in September.

In a statement issued this week, the school's principal Michael Molloy said that with the Minister for Education Joe McHugh confirming that schools will be reopening in September, it is an “absolute necessity to have our new school building completed asap”.

“Nothing should detract from this common goal. I plead with all parties to get the school signed off and allow us to incorporate its opening with our ongoing planning for the new year.

"Furniture companies, specialist educational equipment, IT equipment suppliers - to name but a few - are begging me to off load stock we ordered months ago.

"We need our new school. Please, please everyone do what you to make this happen,” he said.

At the June meeting of the Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District, Cllr Hazel Smyth said that there are growing fears that the new €5m school on the Ardmore Road will not be completed in time for the start of September.

She said that some parents are “very concerned” about the prospect of their children returning to the school's current cramped home, especially if the physical distancing guidelines are still in place in September.

She added that the new school, which was originally due to be finished in time for the start of the school year in September 2018 and has had its completion date pushed back on numerous occasions, is “needed now more than ever”.

Cllr Ken Glynn said that it is important that parents know as soon as possible whether the school will be ready for the start of September.

Cllr Aoife Davitt said that councillors are “sick” of asking for updates on the school, which is almost two years behind schedule.

The director of services for Mullingar Kinnegad Municipal District, Martin Murray, said that “nobody was more frustrated” than him and his staff with the ongoing delays at the school.

He added that the latest completion date given by the builders, PJ McLoughlin, is July 5, but that he did not know if the date would be met.