School gets green light for new building
Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, Co Limerick, has been given formal approval to commence the building of a school to facilitate 900 students.
Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, has advised the college of her decision to approve a devolved grant which will allow Limerick County VEC take a lead role in the delivery of the multi-million euro project.
The school will be built on a 26-acre greenfield site on the outskirts of the village of Croom, in the vicinity of Caherass nursing home.
One of the fastest growing schools in Ireland, Coláiste Chiaráin is catering for the needs of over 900 students, across the county and in the south city environs. College principal Noel Malone said: “This ambitious building programme promises to be one of the largest and best-equipped facilities in the city and county.
“From what I understand, it is the first time a project of this size has been devolved directly to a VEC and outside the normal remit of the Department of Education and Skills. In effect it will be a prototype for similar educational projects into the future.
“It will have a major positive impact on the wider and local economy, especially when the actual building process commences.”
It is envisaged work will commence in the coming year on this building project, following the completion of the design and tendering process, Mr Malone said.
Over the last decade, Coláiste Chiaráin has built up a national reputation in the delivery of a high quality and progressive educational programmes, particularly with its emphasis on the sciences, languages, information and communication technology and overall commitment to innovation, he added.
The school is a constituent member of the Greater Limerick Area Common Application System and attracts students over a wide catchment.
A statement said management, staff, students and parents along with the community were delighted with the great news.
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