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Cllr O’Keeffe asked what progress had been made in identifying a suitable site for Gaelscoil de h-Íde’s new school in Fermoy. Photo: iStockPhoto

There was little satisfaction for Cllr Kevin O'Keeffe at Monday's meeting of Cork County Council, where he sought an update on progress in identifying a suitable site for Gaelscoil de h-Íde's new school in Fermoy.

In May last year, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn, signed an agreement with county councils, charging the local authorities with the task of identifying suitable sites for new schools. It was supposed to speed up the building process.

Cllr O'Keeffe asked what progress had been made. He was told two sites had been identified and that's where the matter lies at present. He asked what the delay was and was extremely critical at the lack of progress and particularly scathing about Minister Quinn and the department for not moving it forward.

He had the support of councillors Noel McCarthy and Frank O'Flynn. The latter had previously arranged a meeting between the board of management and staff at the school and members of the Fermoy Local Area Committee of the county council at which they were asked to seek a meeting with the head of planning in the department's school building programme.

That meeting was held in January of this year with the four local councillors outlining the Gaelscoil's position. They impressed upon the head of planning the health and safety issues caused by overcrowding at the school. They'd heard nothing since.

"It's taking far too long. Children are losing out by the delay in the selection of a site. I'm calling on the Minister to choose a site as soon as possible," Cllr O'Flynn said.

They've been told funding for the new school is in place. However, Cllr O'Flynn said he fears it will be 'pulled' if work doesn't start soon.

Sean Sherlock is Minister of State at the Department of Education. It's his understanding that the process has been whittled down to 'two or three' potential sites.

"I met with the Board of Management of the school last Friday. I completely understand their frustrations and those of the school community. There is merit to the argument that the process of land acquisition is in need of improvement. I can assure the people of Fermoy that, as Minister of State, I am working on a daily basis to build this school," he stressed.

"It is a matter of record that I have already replaced prefabs at St Joseph's Primary School as well as Grange and Ballyhooly," he pointed out. "Coláiste an Chraoibhín has gone for planning permission as well. I am looking at St Colman's and the Loreto also and I'm keeping those two schools on the agenda for improvement works."

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