Department refuses three times to confirm opening of Cork special school in two weeks

Colm Burke has expressed 'serious concerns' that Carrignavar's ongoing sewerage capacity issues might result in a delay to the new school premises opening. File photo: Gerard McCarthy photography

The Department of Education has declined three times to confirm unambiguously that a long-delayed special school in a Cork village will open in a fortnight’s time.

The school is situated in Carrignavar, where issues with sewerage capacity have continued for a decade and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) recently initiated proceedings against Uisce Éireann. That followed what IFI called “alleged deleterious discharges to the Cloghnagashee River” last month.

A spawning ground, the Cloghnagashee is a tributary of the Glashaboy river which feeds the Glashaboy reservoir, serving the entire Glanmire area.

North Cork Community Special School was initially due to open in Carrignavar for the 2025/26 school year. The school was to be based in a refurbished former primary school, but construction delays and ongoing issues with wastewater treatment capacity in the village prevented its opening.

Instead, the school has operated since last September in Fermoy. The school has 25 staff and caters for 36 children, aged between four and 18, with autism and mild or moderate learning difficulties.

Construction work on the new school premises in Carrignavar is now complete, and the school is due to open in its new premises on Thursday, August 27.

However, Colm Burke, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, this week expressed “serious concerns” that Carrignavar's ongoing sewerage capacity issues might result in a delay to the new school premises opening.

A key condition of planning for the new school building states: "The wastewater connection at the existing school shall be blocked … and no new connection to the public wastewater network shall be permitted without prior approval from (Uisce Éireann)”.

The Irish Examiner asked the Department of Education to confirm that the school will open on August 27 and three times spokespeople declined to respond unambiguously.

Initially, a spokesperson said: “Repurposing works are nearing completion at the former primary school property in Carrignavar to facilitate occupation by North Cork Community Special School for the 2026/27 school year.

“There is good engagement ongoing with Irish Water and Cork County Council in relation to the special school and its requirements which are quite low given the relatively small numbers.” 

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Asked again whether the school will open on August 27, they said: “Project managers are keeping the school authority updated regularly as the project progresses near completion.” 

When asked a third time, they said: “As indicated, the positive engagement is continuing with Uisce Éireann and Cork County Council. When this engagement has concluded the date for occupation of the building can be fully confirmed.” 

Mr Burke said he had not yet received confirmation that the department had reached agreement with Uisce Éireann to connect the school to the sewerage treatment system.

“It has been confirmed to me that IFI is taking court proceedings against Uisce Éireann in respect of the sewage treatment plant in Carrignavar, and this is obviously a very serious issue for Uisce Éireann,” he said.

“It is important therefore that Uisce Éireann take whatever action is necessary to upgrade the facility at the earliest possible date.”  Uisce Éireann, IFI, and Cork County Council were asked for comment.