Work is under way to refurbish and extend one of Cork’s oldest secondary schools — but it will still retain many historic features remembered by generations offormer schoolgirls.

NEW facilities for one of Cork city’s oldest schools have moved a step closer with the granting of planning permission for a major refurbishment and extension.

A GOVERNMENT minister who approved funding for the redevelopment of a dilapidated school nine years ago can no longer guarantee that money for the project exists.