Cox urges payment of €55m sum to school

EUROPEAN Parliament president Pat Cox has urged the Government to fork out the €55m promised two years ago for a new Cork School of Music building.

His support ahead of a rally today to push for the funding came as Cork Institute of Technology director Pat Kelleher broke his silence and pleaded with the Government on the issue.

Mr Cox, who has children enrolled in the school, said he is deeply upset that the promise to build a new school remains undischarged.

“The School of Music is the jewel in the crown of Cork’s cultural infrastructure. A failure to proceed immediately with building the new school would be a missed opportunity to open and dedicate a lasting legacy of Cork’s cultural mission as the European Capital of Culture in 2005,” he said.

Mr Cox appealed to the Government to give the green light for the Cork School of Music immediately and show that they know more than the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Mr Kelleher has stood back from the political debate over the funding issue but he made his voice heard last night as fears for the project deepen. He said staff and students cannot continue much longer playing in hotel bedrooms while they await the new building.

Since the project went for planning permission more than 18 months ago, most classes are being held in dozens of bedrooms at Moore’s Hotel across the River Lee. A final Government decision whether to make the investment is expected within the next fortnight.

The School of Music has been a constituent college of CIT for the last decade, with 80 full-time degree students among the 2,500 who study there.

“Students and staff of the School of Music moved out of the old building on Union Quay to facilitate the new development and are currently working in cramped and unsuitable accommodation,” he said.

“There is no viable alternative plan for the School of Music which would provide a new school within the necessary timeframe. Any further delay will create an intolerable situation,” said Mr Kelleher.

Students are organising a rally over the funding delay outside Cork Opera House this afternoon, and are expected to be supported by local politicians and well-known musicians.

Last night, a Department of Education spokesperson said officials are still in discussion with the Department of Finance about the project. The public private partnership deal with contractors Jarvis was announced by former education minister Michael Woods in April 2001.

Tomás McCarthy, the Teachers Union of Ireland representative at the school, said staff trusted in the system when they vacated the old building but now they feel left down by the Government.