Sherlock insists new school is on the way

Junior Minister Seán Sherlock remains confident a new school will be built in his constituency, despite a local action group’s claims it has not been notified of the latest developments in a long-running saga.

His comments come on foot of complaints from Gaelscoil De Híde New School Action Group in Fermoy, Co Cork.

The group yesterday said it was still awaiting confirmation the Department of the Environment had transferred a site to the Department of Education, as reported last week.

Mr Sherlock had stated that Environment Minister Alan Kelly had confirmed the transfer of the land on Duntahane Road to the Department of Education. The North-Cork-based minister said he was very confident plans for the new school were proceeding.

However, the action group insists the school’s board of management had not received confirmation from either the minister or the department.

“Unfortunately, the poor communication, unsubstantiated claims and ‘he said, she said’ rigmarole which has plagued this issue since December 2011 continues,” said new action-group chairperson Vivienne Dempsey. “It may well be true that action has been taken, but without written confirmation how can we be sure? Also we’d rather Minister Sherlock contacted us first if there were developments with our school and not the media. Don’t we deserve to know from official sources rather than from the newspaper?

“Once again, hopes are raised and then nothing happens. If the politicians are doing all they can to move this project along, then that’s great, but surely the obvious thing to do then is come out and explain to those who run the school and their parents what is happening,” said Ms Dempsey.

Mr Sherlock said it was standard practice to formally notify a board of management of such developments once the site had been conveyed, but that he was “very confident we have reached a significant milestone”.

“The order approving the transfer has been signed by Minister Alan Kelly,” he said.

“The next step in the process of transferring the land is now under way and I am tracking that process. I understand the board of management will be notified by the Department of Education in due course.”

Mr Sherlock urged staff and parents at the school to “keep the faith in the process”.